CN115915975A

CN115915975A - Aerosol-generating article with improved construction

Info

Publication number: CN115915975A
Application number: CN202180017027.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·贝托尔多; G·德阿姆布拉; M·明佐尼; E·蒙塔纳里; M·奈索维奇; I·普雷斯蒂亚; J·F·施米特; J·乌瑟瑞
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2020-02-28
Filing date: 2021-02-24
Publication date: 2023-04-04
Also published as: IL295499A; BR112022016977A2; CA3168776A1; AU2021228922A1; JP2023516959A; MX2022010528A; WO2021170638A1; EP4110098A1; US20230093519A1; KR20220148217A

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol-generating article (10) for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article (10) comprising: an aerosol-generating substrate rod (12); a mouthpiece element (42) having a length (L1) and comprising a mouthpiece filter segment formed from fibrous filter material; and an intermediate hollow section (50) between the aerosol-generating substrate rod (12) and the mouthpiece element (42), the intermediate hollow section (50) having a length (L2). The intermediate hollow section (50) comprises: an aerosol-cooling element (24) downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate rod (12), the aerosol-cooling element (24) comprising a hollow tubular segment (34) defining a longitudinal cavity (36) providing a non-restrictive flow passage; and a support element (22) between the aerosol-cooling element (24) and the rod (12) of aerosol-generating substrate. The upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element abuts the downstream end of the support element. The length (L1) of the mouthpiece element (42) is at least 0.4 times the length (L2) of the intermediate hollow section (50).

Description

Aerosol-generating article with improved construction

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate and adapted to produce an inhalable aerosol upon heating.

Background

Aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, is heated rather than combusted are known in the art. Typically, in such heated smoking articles, an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol generating substrate or material which may be positioned in contact with, inside, around or downstream of the heat source. During use of the aerosol-generating article, 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 compound cools, the compound condenses to form an aerosol.

A number of prior art documents disclose aerosol-generating devices for consuming aerosol-generating articles. Such devices include, for example, electrically heated aerosol-generating devices in which an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from one or more electric heater elements of the aerosol-generating device to an aerosol-generating substrate of a heated aerosol-generating article. For example, electrically heated aerosol-generating devices have been proposed which comprise an internal heating blade adapted to be inserted into an aerosol-generating substrate. As an alternative, an inductively heatable aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate and a susceptor element arranged within the aerosol-generating substrate is proposed by WO 2015/176898.

Aerosol-generating articles in which a tobacco-containing substrate is heated without combustion present a number of challenges not encountered with conventional smoking articles. First, the tobacco-containing substrate is typically heated to a significantly lower temperature than the temperature reached by the combustion front in a conventional cigarette. This may affect nicotine release from the tobacco-containing substrate and delivery of nicotine to the consumer. Meanwhile, if the heating temperature is increased in an attempt to enhance nicotine delivery, the generated aerosol typically needs to cool to a greater extent and more quickly before it reaches the consumer. However, technical solutions commonly used to cool mainstream smoke in conventional smoking articles (such as providing a high filtration efficiency segment at the mouth end of a cigarette) can have undesirable effects in aerosol-generating articles in which the tobacco-containing substrate is heated without combustion, as they can reduce the delivery of nicotine. Secondly, it is generally recognised that there is a need for aerosol-generating articles which are easy to use and have improved utility.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide new and improved aerosol-generating articles adapted to achieve at least one of the above-described desired results. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that can be manufactured efficiently and at high speeds, preferably with satisfactory RTD and low RTD variability from article to article.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising a rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a mouthpiece element having a length L1 and comprising at least one mouthpiece filter segment formed from fibrous filter material. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an intermediate hollow section between the aerosol-generating substrate rod and the mouthpiece element, the intermediate hollow section having a length L2. The intermediate hollow section may comprise an aerosol-cooling element downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-cooling element may comprise a hollow tubular segment defining a longitudinal cavity providing a non-restrictive flow passage. The intermediate hollow section may further comprise a support element between the aerosol-cooling element and the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The length (L1) of the mouthpiece element may be at least 0.4 times the length (L2) of the intermediate hollow section.

According to the present invention there is provided an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a rod of aerosol-generating substrate; a mouthpiece element having a length L1 and comprising at least one mouthpiece filter segment formed from fibrous filter material; and an intermediate hollow section between the aerosol-generating substrate rod and the mouthpiece element, the intermediate hollow section having a length L2. The intermediate hollow section comprises: an aerosol-cooling element downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-cooling element comprising a hollow tubular segment defining a longitudinal cavity providing a non-restrictive flow passage; and a support element between the aerosol-cooling element and the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. According to the invention, the length (L1) of the mouthpiece element is at least 0.4 times the length (L2) of the intermediate hollow section.

The term "aerosol-generating article" is used herein to refer to an article in which an aerosol-generating substrate is heated to produce and deliver an inhalable aerosol to a consumer. As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating substrate" refers to a substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating to generate an aerosol.

A conventional cigarette will light when a user applies a flame to one end of the cigarette and draws air through the other end. The localised heat provided by the flame and oxygen in the air drawn through the cigarette causes the end of the cigarette to be lit and the resulting combustion produces breathable smoke. In contrast, in heated aerosol-generating articles, an aerosol is generated by heating a flavour-generating substrate, such as tobacco. Known heated aerosol-generating articles include, for example, electrically heated aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol is generated by heat transfer from a combustible fuel element or heat source to a physically separate aerosol-forming material. For example, aerosol-generating articles according to the invention have particular application in aerosol-generating systems comprising an electrically heated aerosol-generating device having an internal heater blade adapted to be inserted into a rod of aerosol-generating substrate. Aerosol-generating articles of this type are described in the prior art (for example in european patent application EP 0822670).

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device comprising a heater element which interacts with an aerosol-generating substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.

As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "strip" is used to denote a substantially cylindrical element of substantially circular, oval or elliptical cross-section.

As used herein, the term "longitudinal" refers to a direction corresponding to the major longitudinal axis of an aerosol-generating article, which direction extends between an upstream end and a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" describe the relative position of an element or portion of an element of an aerosol-generating article with respect to the direction in which an aerosol is conveyed through the aerosol-generating article during use.

During use, air is drawn through the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Any reference to a "cross-section" of an aerosol-generating article or a component of an aerosol-generating article refers to a transverse cross-section, unless otherwise specified.

The term "length" denotes the dimension of a component of an aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. For example, it may be used to denote the dimension of the strip or elongate tubular member in the longitudinal direction.

Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention provide an improved construction of an element downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate rod, defined by a ratio of the length of the mouthpiece element to the length of the intermediate hollow section of at least 0.4. This ratio reflects a configuration in which a relatively long mouthpiece element is provided in combination with a shorter intermediate hollow section than previously provided. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the improved construction provides a relatively long mouthpiece element in combination with a shorter aerosol-cooling element than previously provided.

Providing an intermediate hollow section of reduced length reduces the distance between the aerosol-generating substrate rod and the mouthpiece element. In aerosol-generating articles according to the invention, the reduced length of the intermediate hollow section is typically achieved by providing a relatively short aerosol-cooling element. Due to the construction of the aerosol-cooling element in the form of the hollow tubular segment, it is possible to reduce the length of the aerosol-cooling element in this way compared to known aerosol-cooling elements. The hollow tubular segment provides an inner cavity with a relatively high volume which enables efficient cooling and nucleation of the aerosol during use. Thus, sufficient aerosol cooling and nucleation may be provided over a relatively short distance such that the length of the aerosol-cooling element may be shorter than would normally occur with other configurations of aerosol-cooling elements.

By reducing the distance between the aerosol-generating substrate rod and the mouthpiece element, while increasing the length of the mouthpiece element, it has been found possible to provide a more rigid mouthpiece in an aerosol-generating article according to the present invention. Thus, the aerosol-generating article is able to provide a greater resistance to radial compression at a location towards the downstream end of the article. Advantageously, this benefit may be provided without affecting the overall length of the article, such that the overall length consistent with existing aerosol-generating articles may be maintained.

It has been found that providing a more rigid mouthpiece contributes to a more efficient smoking action for the consumer, so that the delivery of the aerosol can be optimised. In addition, by providing a more rigid mouthpiece close to the aerosol-cooling element, the risk of deformation of the aerosol-cooling element during use may be significantly reduced. This is important because deformation of the aerosol-cooling element (as such deformation may have an adverse effect on aerosol formation) is undesirable.

The mouthpiece element is typically more resilient to deformation than other elements provided downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate rod. Thus, it has been found that increasing the length of the mouthpiece element relative to the length of the central hollow section provides improved consumer grip. It also facilitates insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the heating device.

The increased length of the mouthpiece element relative to the length of the intermediate hollow section provides several other technical benefits. Longer mouthpiece elements may be used to provide higher filtration and removal of undesirable aerosol components, such as phenol, so that higher quality aerosols may be delivered. In addition, the use of a longer mouthpiece element enables a more complex mouthpiece to be provided as there is more space for incorporation of mouthpiece components such as capsules, threads and restrictors.

As described in more detail below, the reduction of the hollow middle section relative to the length of the mouthpiece element may advantageously be provided by reducing the length of the aerosol-cooling element. The aerosol-cooling element typically has a lower resistance to deformation than the mouthpiece. Thus, the reduction in length of the aerosol-cooling element further reduces the risk of the aerosol-generating article deforming due to compression during use. Furthermore, reducing the length of the aerosol-cooling element may provide cost benefits to the manufacturer, as the cost per unit length of the hollow tubular segment is typically higher than the cost of the mouthpiece element.

According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating. An aerosol-generating article comprises a rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article further comprises a downstream section at a location downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate rod. The downstream section may include one or more downstream elements.

In the aerosol-generating article according to the invention, the downstream segment comprises a mouthpiece element. The mouthpiece element may extend all the way to the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article. The downstream section further comprises an intermediate hollow section between the mouthpiece element and the aerosol-generating substrate rod. The intermediate hollow section includes a support element and an aerosol cooling element. The aerosol-cooling element comprises a hollow tubular segment. The support element may also comprise a hollow tubular section.

As used herein, the term "hollow tubular section" means a generally elongated element defining a lumen or airflow passage along its longitudinal axis. In particular, the term "tubular" will be used hereinafter to refer to a tubular element having a substantially cylindrical cross-section and defining at least one gas flow conduit establishing uninterrupted fluid communication between an upstream end of the tubular element and a downstream end of the tubular element. However, it should be understood that alternative geometries (e.g., alternative cross-sectional shapes) of the tubular segments may be possible. The hollow tubular section is a single discrete element of the aerosol-generating article having a defined length and thickness.

As used herein, the term "elongated" means that an element has a length dimension that is greater than its width dimension or its diameter dimension, e.g., twice or more its width dimension or its diameter dimension.

In the context of the present invention, the hollow tubular section provides a non-restrictive flow passage. This means that the hollow tubular section provides a negligible level of resistance to suction (RTD). Thus, the flow channel should be free of any components that would impede the flow of air in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the flow channel is substantially empty.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may comprise a ventilation zone at a location along the downstream section. In more detail, the aerosol-generating article may comprise a ventilation zone at a location along the aerosol-cooling element. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-cooling element comprises or is in the form of a hollow tubular section, the ventilation zone being provided at a position along the hollow tubular section of the aerosol-cooling element.

The aerosol-generating substrate may further comprise an upstream section at a position upstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The upstream section may include one or more upstream elements. In some embodiments, the upstream section may comprise an upstream element arranged immediately upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate rod.

The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a susceptor element within the aerosol-generating article. In some embodiments, the susceptor element may be an elongated susceptor element. In a preferred embodiment, the susceptor element extends longitudinally within the aerosol-generating substrate.

These elements of the aerosol-generating article will be described in more detail below.

As defined above, the downstream section of the aerosol-generating article of the present invention comprises a mouthpiece element. The mouthpiece element may preferably be located at the downstream end or mouth end of the aerosol-generating article. The mouthpiece element comprises at least one mouthpiece filter segment of fibrous filter material for filtering an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating substrate. Suitable fibrous filter materials will be known to the skilled person. Particularly preferably, the at least one mouthpiece filter segment comprises a cellulose acetate filter segment formed from cellulose acetate tow.

In certain preferred embodiments, the mouthpiece element is comprised of a single mouthpiece filter segment. In an alternative embodiment, the mouthpiece element comprises two or more mouthpiece filter segments axially aligned with one another in abutting end-to-end relationship.

Preferably, the mouthpiece element comprises a mouthpiece filter segment having a length that is at least about 0.4 times the length of the intermediate hollow segment, more preferably at least about 0.5 times the length of the intermediate hollow segment, more preferably at least about 0.6 times the length of the intermediate hollow segment, and more preferably at least about 0.75 times the length of the intermediate hollow segment.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the downstream segment may comprise an oral cavity at the downstream end downstream of the mouthpiece element as described above. The mouth end cavity may be defined by a hollow tubular element provided at the downstream end of the mouthpiece. Alternatively, the mouth end cavity may be defined by an outer wrapper of the mouthpiece element, wherein the outer wrapper extends from the mouthpiece element in a downstream direction.

The mouthpiece element may optionally include a flavoring agent, which may be provided in any suitable form. For example, the mouthpiece element may comprise one or more capsules, beads or particles of flavoring, or one or more filaments or filaments loaded with flavor.

According to the invention, the downstream section of the aerosol-generating article further comprises a support element located immediately downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The mouthpiece element is preferably located downstream of the support element. The downstream section further comprises an aerosol-cooling element located immediately downstream of the support element. The mouthpiece element is preferably located downstream of both the support element and the aerosol-cooling element. Particularly preferably, the mouthpiece element is located immediately downstream of the aerosol-cooling element. For example, the mouthpiece element may abut a downstream end of the aerosol-cooling element.

Preferably, the mouthpiece element has a low particulate filtration efficiency.

Preferably, the mouthpiece element is defined by a filter segment wrapper. Preferably, the mouthpiece element is not ventilated, such that air does not enter the aerosol-generating article along the mouthpiece element.

The mouthpiece element is preferably connected to one or more of the adjacent upstream components of the aerosol-generating article by means of a tipping wrapper.

Preferably, the mouthpiece element has a H of less than about 25 mm ₂ And RTD of O. More preferably, the mouthpiece element has a H of less than about 20 mm ₂ And RTD of O. Even more preferably, the mouthpiece element has a H of less than about 15 mm ₂ And RTD of O.

From about 10 mm H ₂ O to about 15 mm H ₂ The RTD value of O is particularly preferred as a mouthpiece element having one such RTD is expected to contribute the least to the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article, exerting substantially no filtering effect on the aerosol delivered to the consumer.

Preferably, the mouthpiece element has an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article. The mouthpiece element may have an outer diameter of between about 5 millimeters and about 10 millimeters, or between about 6 millimeters and about 8 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece element has an outer diameter of about 7.2 mm.

The mouthpiece element preferably has a length of at least about 5 mm, more preferably at least about 8 mm, even more preferably at least about 10 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the mouthpiece element preferably has a length of less than about 25 mm, more preferably less than about 20 mm, more preferably less than about 15 mm.

In some embodiments, the mouthpiece element preferably has a length of from about 5 to about 25 millimeters, more preferably from about 8 to about 25 millimeters, even more preferably from about 10 to about 25 millimeters. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece element preferably has a length of from about 5 to about 10 millimeters, more preferably from about 8 to about 20 millimeters, even more preferably from about 10 to about 20 millimeters. In further embodiments, the mouthpiece element preferably has a length of from about 5 to about 15 millimeters, more preferably from about 8 to about 15 millimeters, even more preferably from about 10 to about 15 millimeters.

For example, the mouthpiece element may have a length of between about 5 millimeters and about 25 millimeters, or between about 8 millimeters and about 20 millimeters, or between about 10 millimeters and about 15 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece element has a length of about 12 mm.

In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the mouthpiece element has a length of at least 10 millimetres. Thus, in such embodiments, the mouthpiece element is relatively long compared to that provided in prior art articles. Providing a relatively long mouthpiece element in the aerosol-generating article of the present invention may provide several benefits to the consumer. The mouthpiece element is typically more resilient to deformation or better adapted to recover its original shape after deformation than other elements (such as aerosol-cooling elements or support elements) which may be provided downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate rod. Thus, it has been found that increasing the length of the mouthpiece element provides an improved grip for the consumer and facilitates insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the heating device. Longer mouthpieces may additionally be used to provide higher levels of filtration and removal of undesirable aerosol components, such as phenol, so that higher quality aerosols may be delivered. In addition, the use of longer mouthpiece elements enables a more complex mouthpiece to be provided as there is more space for incorporating mouthpiece components such as capsules, threads and restrictions.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a mouthpiece element having a length of at least 10 mm is combined with a relatively short aerosol-cooling element, for example an aerosol-cooling element having a length of less than 10 mm. It has been found that such a combination provides a more rigid mouthpiece which reduces the risk of the aerosol cooling element deforming during use and contributes to a more efficient smoking action for the consumer.

According to the invention, the length of the mouthpiece element is at least 0.4 times the total length of the intermediate hollow section, preferably at least 0.5 times the length of the intermediate hollow section, more preferably at least 0.6 times the length of the intermediate hollow section, more preferably at least 0.75 times the length of the intermediate hollow section. Thus, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the total length of the intermediate hollow section is at least about 0.4, preferably at least about 0.5, more preferably at least about 0.6, and most preferably at least about 0.75.

The ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate may be from about 0.5 to about 1.5.

Preferably, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is at least about 0.6, more preferably at least about 0.7, even more preferably at least about 0.8. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the length of the aerosol-generating substrate rod is less than about 1.4, more preferably less than about 1.3, even more preferably less than about 1.2.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the length of the aerosol-generating substrate rod is from about 0.6 to about 1.4, preferably from about 0.7 to about 1.4, more preferably from about 0.8 to about 1.4. In other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the length of the aerosol-generating substrate rod is from about 0.6 to about 1.3, preferably from about 0.7 to about 1.3, more preferably from about 0.8 to about 1.3. In further embodiments, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the length of the aerosol-generating substrate rod is from about 0.6 to about 1.2, preferably from about 0.7 to about 1.2, more preferably from about 0.8 to about 1.2.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the length of the aerosol-generating substrate rod is about 1.

The ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate may be from about 0.2 to about 0.35.

Preferably, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is at least about 0.22, more preferably at least about 0.24, even more preferably at least about 0.26. The ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably less than about 0.34, more preferably less than about 0.32, even more preferably less than about 0.3.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.22 to about 0.34, more preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.34, even more preferably from about 0.26 to about 0.34. In other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.22 to about 0.32, more preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.32, even more preferably from about 0.26 to about 0.32. In further embodiments, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.22 to about 0.3, more preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.3, even more preferably from about 0.26 to about 0.3.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the mouthpiece element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is about 0.27.

As mentioned above, the downstream section of the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention further comprises an intermediate hollow section comprising an aerosol-cooling element aligned with and arranged downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element may abut the downstream end of the support element.

The aerosol-cooling element is arranged substantially in alignment with the rod. This means that the length dimension of the aerosol-cooling element is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rod and article, for example within +/-10 degrees of being parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-cooling element extends along the longitudinal axis of the rod.

In the aerosol-generating article according to the invention, the aerosol-cooling element is in the form of a hollow tubular segment defining a cavity extending from an upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element all the way to a downstream end of the aerosol-cooling element. Preferably, the ventilation zone is provided at a location along the hollow tubular section.

The inventors have found that satisfactory cooling of an aerosol stream generated upon heating of an aerosol-generating substrate and drawn through one such aerosol-cooling element is achieved by providing a ventilation zone at a location along the hollow tubular section. Furthermore, the inventors have found that by arranging the ventilation zone at a precisely defined position along the length of the aerosol-cooling element, as will be described in more detail below, and by preferably utilizing a hollow tubular segment having a predetermined peripheral wall thickness or internal volume, it is possible to counteract the effect of increased aerosol dilution caused by admitting ventilation air into the article.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is assumed that, as the temperature of the aerosol stream is rapidly reduced by the introduction of ventilation air as the aerosol travels towards the mouthpiece segment, the ventilation air is admitted into the aerosol stream at a location relatively close to the upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element (i.e. sufficiently close to a susceptor element extending within the aerosol-generating substrate rod, which is the heat source during use), significant cooling of the aerosol stream is achieved, which has a beneficial effect on condensation and nucleation of aerosol particles. Thus, the overall ratio of aerosol particulate phase to aerosol gas phase may be increased compared to existing non-ventilated aerosol-generating articles.

At the same time, keeping the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular section relatively low ensures that the total internal volume of the hollow tubular section (which allows the aerosol to begin the nucleation process once the aerosol components have separated from the aerosol-generating substrate rod) and that the cross-sectional surface area of the hollow tubular section is effectively maximised, while ensuring that the hollow tubular section has the necessary structural strength to prevent collapse of the aerosol-generating article and to provide some support for the aerosol-generating substrate rod, and that the RTD of the hollow tubular section is minimised. The larger value of the cross-sectional surface area of the cavity of the hollow tubular segment is understood to be associated with a reduced velocity of the aerosol flow travelling along the aerosol-generating article, which is also expected to facilitate aerosol nucleation. Furthermore, it seems possible, by using hollow tubular segments of relatively low thickness, to substantially prevent the diffusion of the ventilation air before it comes into contact and mixes with the aerosol flow, which is also understood to further favour the nucleation phenomenon. In practice, the effect of cooling on the formation of new aerosol particles can be enhanced by providing more controlled local cooling of the volatile material flow.

The aerosol-cooling element preferably has an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate and the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-cooling element may have an outer diameter of between 5 and 12 millimetres, such as between 5 and 10 millimetres or between 6 and 8 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-cooling element has an outer diameter of 7.2 mm +/-10%.

Preferably, the hollow tubular section of the aerosol-cooling element has an inner diameter of at least about 2 mm. More preferably, the hollow tubular segment of the aerosol-cooling element has an inner diameter of at least about 2.5 mm. Even more preferably, the hollow tubular segment of the aerosol-cooling element has an inner diameter of at least about 3 mm.

The peripheral wall of the aerosol-cooling element may have a thickness of less than about 2.5 mm, preferably less than about 1.5 mm, more preferably less than about 1250 microns, even more preferably less than about 1000 microns. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the peripheral wall of the aerosol-cooling element has a thickness of less than about 900 microns, preferably less than about 800 microns.

In an embodiment, the peripheral wall of the aerosol-cooling element has a thickness of about 2 mm.

The aerosol-cooling element may have a length of between 5 and 15 millimetres.

Preferably, the aerosol-cooling element has a length of at least about 6 mm, more preferably at least about 7 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-cooling element has a length of less than about 12 mm, more preferably less than about 10 mm.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element has a length of from about 5 mm to about 15 mm, preferably from about 6 mm to about 15 mm, more preferably from about 7 mm to about 15 mm. In other embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element has a length of from about 5 millimeters to about 12 millimeters, preferably from about 6 millimeters to about 12 millimeters, more preferably from about 7 millimeters to about 12 millimeters. In further embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element has a length of from about 5 mm to about 10 mm, preferably from about 6 mm to about 10 mm, more preferably from about 7 mm to about 10 mm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the aerosol-cooling element has a length of less than 10 mm. For example, in one particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol-cooling element has a length of 8 mm. In such embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element therefore has a relatively short length compared to the aerosol-cooling element of prior art aerosol-generating articles. A reduction of the length of the aerosol-cooling element is possible due to the optimized effectiveness of the hollow tubular segment forming the aerosol-cooling element in the cooling and nucleation of the aerosol. The reduction in length of the aerosol-cooling element advantageously reduces the risk of deformation of the aerosol-generating article due to compression during use, as the aerosol-cooling element typically has a lower resistance to deformation than the mouthpiece. Furthermore, reducing the length of the aerosol-cooling element may provide cost benefits to the manufacturer, as the cost per unit length of the hollow tubular segment is typically higher than the cost of other elements such as the mouthpiece element.

The ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate may be from about 0.25 to about 1.

Preferably, the ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is at least about 0.3, more preferably at least about 0.4, even more preferably at least about 0.5. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is less than about 0.9, more preferably less than about 0.8, even more preferably less than about 0.7.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is from about 0.3 to about 0.9, preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.9, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.9. In other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is from about 0.3 to about 0.8, preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.8, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.8. In further embodiments, the ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is from about 0.3 to about 0.7, preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.7, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.7.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is about 0.66.

Preferably, the ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is at least about 0.13, more preferably at least about 0.14, even more preferably at least about 0.15. The ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably less than about 0.3, more preferably less than about 0.25, even more preferably less than about 0.20.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.13 to about 0.3, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.3, even more preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.3. In other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.13 to about 0.25, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.25, even more preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.25. In further embodiments, the ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.13 to about 0.2, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.2, even more preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.2.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is about 0.18.

Preferably, the length of the mouthpiece element is at least 1 mm greater than the length of the aerosol-cooling element, more preferably at least 2 mm greater than the length of the aerosol-cooling element, more preferably at least 3 mm greater than the length of the aerosol-cooling element. As described above, a reduction in the length of the aerosol-cooling element may advantageously allow the length of other elements of the aerosol-generating article (such as the mouthpiece element) to be increased. The foregoing describes the potential technical benefits of providing a relatively long mouthpiece element.

The ratio between the length of the aerosol-cooling element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate may be from about 0.125 to about 0.375.

Preferably, in the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention, the aerosol-cooling element has an average radial stiffness of at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 85%, even more preferably at least about 90%. Accordingly, the aerosol-cooling element is capable of providing a desired level of hardness to the aerosol-generating article.

If desired, the radial stiffness of the aerosol-cooling element of the aerosol-generating article according to the invention may be further increased by defining the aerosol-cooling element with a rigid rod wrapper, for example a rod wrapper having a basis weight of at least about 80 grams per square meter (gsm), or at least about 100gsm, or at least about 110 gsm.

As used herein, the term "radial stiffness" refers to the resistance to compression in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the element. The radial stiffness of the aerosol-generating article around a given element may be determined by: a load is applied across the article at the location of the elements, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the article, and the average (mean) depression diameter of the article is measured. The radial stiffness is given by:

wherein D _S Is the original (un-recessed) diameter, and D _d Is the recess diameter after the set load is applied for the set duration. The harder the material, the closer to 100% the hardness.

To determine the stiffness of a portion of an aerosol-generating article, such as a support element or an aerosol-cooling element provided in the form of a hollow tubular segment, the aerosol-generating articles should be aligned in parallel in a plane and the same portion of each aerosol-generating article to be tested should be subjected to a set load for a set duration. This test was performed using a known DD60A densitometer device (manufactured and commercially available from heinr bougovor gmbh) equipped with a measuring head for an aerosol-generating article, such as a cigarette, and with an aerosol-generating article container.

The load is applied using two load applying cylindrical rods that extend across the diameter of all aerosol-generating articles simultaneously. According to the standard test method of this instrument, the test should be performed such that twenty contact points occur between the aerosol-generating article and the load-applying cylindrical rod. In some cases, the hollow tube segment to be tested may be long enough that only ten aerosol-generating articles are required to form twenty contact points, with each smoking article contacting two load-applying rods (as they are long enough to extend between the rods). In other cases, if the support element is too short to enable this, twenty aerosol-generating articles should be used to form twenty contact points, where each aerosol-generating article contacts only one of the load applying bars, as discussed further below.

Two further fixed cylindrical rods are located beneath the aerosol-generating article to support the aerosol-generating article and to counteract the load applied by each of these load-applying cylindrical rods.

For a standard operating procedure for such a device, a total load of 2kg is applied for a duration of 20 seconds. After 20 seconds have elapsed (and with the load still being applied to the smoking article), the depression in the load applying cylindrical rod is determined and then used to calculate the hardness according to the above equation. The temperature was maintained in the region of 22 degrees celsius ± 2 degrees. The test described above is referred to as the DD60A test. The standard way of measuring the hardness of a filter is when the aerosol-generating article has not been consumed. Additional information regarding the measurement of average radial hardness can be found, for example, in U.S. published patent application publication No. 2016/0128378.

The aerosol-cooling element may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the aerosol-cooling element may be formed from one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: cellulose acetate, cardboard, crimped paper, such as crimped heat-resistant paper or crimped parchment paper, and polymeric materials, such as Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). Other suitable materials include Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) fibers.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-cooling element is formed from cellulose acetate.

Preferably, the hollow tubular segment of the aerosol-cooling element is adapted to generate about 0 mm H ₂ O (about 0 Pa) and about 20 mm H ₂ Between O (about 100 Pa), more preferably about 0 mm H ₂ O (about 0 Pa) and about 10 mm H ₂ RTD between O (about 100 Pa).

In aerosol-generating articles according to the invention, the overall RTD of the article is substantially dependent on the RTD of the rod, and optionally on the RTD of the mouthpiece and/or the upstream rod. This is because the hollow tubular sections of the aerosol-cooling element and the support element are substantially empty and thus contribute substantially only marginally to the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article.

The ventilation zone comprises a plurality of perforations through the peripheral wall of the aerosol-cooling element. Preferably, the ventilation zone comprises at least one row of circumferential perforations. In some embodiments, the vented zone may comprise two circumferential rows of perforations. For example, perforations may be formed on a production line during manufacture of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, each row of circumferential perforations comprises 8 to 30 perforations.

Aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention may have a ventilation level of at least about 5%.

Throughout this specification, the term "ventilation level" is used to denote the volumetric ratio of airflow into the aerosol-generating article via the ventilation zone (ventilation airflow) to the sum of the aerosol airflow and the ventilation airflow. The greater the ventilation level, the higher the dilution of the aerosol stream delivered to the consumer.

Aerosol-generating articles may generally have a ventilation level of at least about 10%, preferably at least about 15%, more preferably at least about 20%.

In preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of at least about 25%. The aerosol-generating article preferably has a ventilation level of less than about 60%. Aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention preferably have a ventilation level of less than or equal to about 45%. More preferably, aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention have a ventilation level of less than or equal to about 40%, even more preferably a ventilation level of less than or equal to about 35%.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of about 30%. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of from about 20% to about 60%, preferably from about 20% to about 45%, more preferably from about 20% to about 40%. In other embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of from about 25% to about 60%, preferably from about 25% to about 45%, more preferably from about 25% to about 40%. In further embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of from about 30% to about 60%, preferably from about 30% to about 45%, more preferably from about 30% to about 40%.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of from about 28% to about 42%. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of about 30%.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors have found that the temperature drop caused by the cooler external air entering the hollow tubular section via the ventilation zone may have a beneficial effect on the nucleation and growth of aerosol particles.

The formation of aerosols from gas mixtures containing various chemicals depends on subtle interactions between nucleation, evaporation and condensation and coalescence, taking into account changes in vapor concentration, temperature and velocity fields. The so-called classical nucleation theory is based on the following assumptions: a portion of the molecules in the gas phase are large enough to remain coherent with sufficient probability (e.g., half probability) for a long time. These molecules represent some critical, threshold molecular cluster in the transient molecular aggregate, meaning that on average, smaller molecular clusters may decompose quickly into the gas phase, while larger clusters may grow on average. Such critical clusters are considered to be key nucleation cores from which droplets are expected to grow due to condensation of molecules in the vapor. It is assumed that the just nucleated original droplet appears at a certain original diameter and then may grow several orders of magnitude. This process is facilitated and enhanced by rapid cooling of the surrounding vapor to cause condensation. In this regard, it should be remembered that evaporation and condensation are two aspects of the same mechanism, namely gas-liquid mass transfer. While evaporation involves a net mass transfer from the liquid droplets to the gas phase, condensation is a net mass transfer from the gas phase to the droplet phase. Evaporation (or condensation) will shrink (or grow) the droplets but will not change the number of droplets.

In this scenario, which may be further complicated by coalescence phenomena, the temperature and rate of cooling play a key role in determining how the system responds. Generally, different cooling rates can result in significantly different time behaviors associated with liquid phase (droplet) formation, as the nucleation process is generally non-linear. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesized that cooling may result in a rapid increase in the number concentration of droplets, followed by a strong, transient increase in this growth (nucleation burst). This nucleation burst appears to be more pronounced at lower temperatures. Furthermore, it appears that a higher cooling rate may be beneficial to initiate nucleation earlier. In contrast, a decrease in the cooling rate appears to have a favorable effect on the final size that the aerosol droplets eventually reach.

Thus, the rapid cooling caused by the external air entering the hollow tubular section via the ventilation zone may advantageously be used to promote the nucleation and growth of aerosol droplets. At the same time, however, the entry of external air into the hollow tubular section has the direct disadvantage of diluting the aerosol flow delivered to the consumer.

The inventors have surprisingly found how the beneficial effect of enhanced nucleation, facilitated by the rapid cooling caused by the introduction of ventilation air into the article, can significantly counteract the less desirable dilution effect. Thus, satisfactory aerosol delivery values are consistently achieved with aerosol-generating articles according to the invention.

The inventors have also surprisingly found that the dilution effect on the aerosol, which can be assessed inter alia by measuring the effect on the delivery of an aerosol former (such as glycerol) included in the aerosol-generating substrate, is advantageously minimized when the ventilation level is within the above-mentioned range. In particular, it has been found that ventilation levels between 25% and 50% and even more preferably between 28% and 42% yield particularly satisfactory glycerol delivery values. At the same time, the degree of nucleation and hence the delivery of nicotine and aerosol former (e.g. glycerol) is improved.

This is particularly advantageous for "short" aerosol-generating articles, for example in which the length of the aerosol-generating substrate rod is less than about 40 mm, preferably less than 25 mm, even more preferably less than 20 mm, or in which the overall length of the aerosol-generating article is less than about 70 mm, preferably less than about 60 mm, even more preferably less than 50 mm. As will be appreciated, in such aerosol-generating articles there is little time and space for aerosol formation and the particulate phase of the aerosol to become available for delivery to the consumer.

Furthermore, since the ventilated hollow tubular segment does not substantially contribute to the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article, in the aerosol-generating article according to the invention, the overall RTD of the article may advantageously be fine-tuned by adjusting the length and density of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate, and the length and optionally the length and density of the segment of filter material forming part of the mouthpiece, or the length and density of the segment of filter material provided upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate and susceptor element. Thus, aerosol-generating articles having a predetermined RTD can be consistently and highly accurately manufactured such that a satisfactory level of RTD can be provided to a consumer even in the presence of ventilation.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may further comprise an additional cooling element defining a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, so as to make a high surface area available for heat exchange. In other words, one such additional cooling element is adapted to essentially act as a heat exchanger. The plurality of longitudinally extending channels may be defined by a sheet of material that has been pleated, gathered or folded to form the channels. The plurality of longitudinally extending channels may be defined by a single sheet of material that has been pleated, gathered and folded to form the plurality of channels. The sheet may have been crimped prior to pleating, gathering or folding. Alternatively, the plurality of longitudinally extending channels may be defined by a plurality of sheets that have been crimped, pleated, gathered and folded to form the plurality of channels. In some embodiments, the plurality of longitudinally extending channels may be defined by a plurality of sheets that have been rolled, pleated, gathered or folded together, i.e. by two or more sheets that have been brought into overlying arrangement and then rolled, pleated, gathered or folded into one. 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 "longitudinal direction" refers to a direction extending along or parallel to the cylindrical axis of the strip. As used herein, the term "crimped" means that the sheet has a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations. Preferably, when the aerosol-generating article has been assembled, the substantially parallel ridges or corrugations extend in the longitudinal direction relative to the rod. As used herein, the terms "gather," "pleat," or "fold" mean that a sheet of material is wrapped, folded, or otherwise compressed or contracted substantially transverse to the cylindrical axis of the strip. The sheet may be curled prior to being gathered, pleated or folded. The sheet may be gathered, pleated, or folded without prior advance crimping.

One such additional 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.

The additional cooling element preferably provides a low resistance to the passage of air through the additional cooling element. Preferably, the additional cooling element does not substantially affect the resistance to draw of the aerosol-generating article. In order to achieve this, it is preferred that the porosity in the longitudinal direction is greater than 50% and that the air flow path through the additional cooling element is relatively free of constraints. The longitudinal porosity of the additional cooling element may be defined by the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the material forming the additional cooling element to the internal cross-sectional area of the aerosol-generating article at the portion containing the additional cooling element.

The additional cooling element preferably comprises a sheet material selected from the group consisting of metal foil, polymer sheet and substantially non-porous paper or cardboard. In some embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element may comprise a sheet material selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose Acetate (CA), and aluminum foil. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the additional cooling element comprises a PLA sheet.

As mentioned above, the intermediate hollow section of the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention further comprises a support element arranged in alignment with and downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. In particular, the support element may be located immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate rod and the upstream end of the support element may abut the downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate rod.

The support element may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the support element may be formed from one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: cellulose acetate, cardboard, crimped paper, such as crimped heat-resistant paper or crimped parchment paper, and polymeric materials, such as Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). In a preferred embodiment, the support element is formed from cellulose acetate. Other suitable materials include Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) fibers.

The support element may comprise a hollow tubular section. In a preferred embodiment, the support element comprises a hollow cellulose acetate tube.

The support elements are arranged substantially in alignment with the strips. This means that the length dimension of the support element is arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip and the article, e.g. within +/-10 degrees of being parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip. In a preferred embodiment, the support element extends along the longitudinal axis of the strip.

The support element preferably has an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate and the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

The support element may have an outer diameter of between 5 and 12 mm, for example between 5 and 10 mm or between 6 and 8 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the support element has an outer diameter of 7.2 mm +/-10%.

The peripheral wall of the support element may have a thickness of at least 1 mm, preferably at least about 1.5 mm, more preferably at least about 2 mm.

The support element may have a length of between about 5 millimeters and about 15 millimeters.

Preferably, the support element has a length of at least about 6 mm, more preferably at least about 7 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the support element has a length of less than about 12 millimeters, more preferably less than about 10 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the support element has a length of from about 5 millimeters to about 15 millimeters, preferably from about 6 millimeters to about 15 millimeters, more preferably from about 7 millimeters to about 15 millimeters. In other embodiments, the support element has a length of from about 5 millimeters to about 12 millimeters, preferably from about 6 millimeters to about 12 millimeters, more preferably from about 7 millimeters to about 12 millimeters. In further embodiments, the support element has a length of from about 5 mm to about 10 mm, preferably from about 6 mm to about 10 mm, more preferably from about 7 mm to about 10 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the support element has a length of about 8 mm.

Preferably, the total length of the intermediate hollow section is no more than about 18 mm, more preferably no more than about 17 mm, more preferably no more than 16 mm.

The ratio of the length of the support element to the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate may be from about 0.25 to about 1.

Preferably, the ratio between the length of the support element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is at least about 0.3, more preferably at least about 0.4, even more preferably at least about 0.5. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the support element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is less than about 0.9, more preferably less than about 0.8, even more preferably less than about 0.7.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the support element and the length of the aerosol-generating substrate rod is from about 0.3 to about 0.9, preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.9, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.9. In other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the support element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is from about 0.3 to about 0.8, preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.8, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.8. In further embodiments, the ratio between the length of the support element and the length of the aerosol-generating substrate rod is from about 0.3 to about 0.7, preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.7, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.7.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the support element and the length of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate is about 0.66.

The ratio between the length of the support element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate may be from about 0.125 to about 0.375.

Preferably, the ratio between the length of the support element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is at least about 0.13, more preferably at least about 0.14, even more preferably at least about 0.15. The ratio between the length of the support element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably less than about 0.3, more preferably less than about 0.25, even more preferably less than about 0.20.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the support element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.13 to about 0.3, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.3, more preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.3. In other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the support element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.13 to about 0.25, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.25, even more preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.25. In further embodiments, the ratio between the length of the support element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.13 to about 0.2, more preferably from about 0.14 to about 0.2, even more preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.2.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the support element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is about 0.18.

Preferably, in the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention, the support element has an average radial stiffness of at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 85%, even more preferably at least about 90%. Thus, the support element is capable of providing a desired level of stiffness to the aerosol-generating article.

If desired, the radial stiffness of the support element of the aerosol-generating article according to the invention may be further increased by defining the support element with a rigid rod wrapper, for example a rod wrapper having a basis weight of at least about 80 grams per square meter (gsm), or at least about 100gsm, or at least about 110 gsm.

During insertion of an aerosol-generating article according to the present invention into an aerosol-generating device to heat an aerosol-generating substrate, some force may need to be applied by a user in order to overcome the resistance of the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article to insertion. This can damage one or both of the aerosol-generating article and the aerosol-generating device. Additionally, forces applied during insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the aerosol-generating device may displace the aerosol-generating substrate within the aerosol-generating article. This may result in the heating element of the aerosol-generating device not being correctly aligned with the susceptor element provided within the aerosol-generating substrate, which may result in uneven and inefficient heating of the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article. The support element is advantageously configured to resist downstream movement of the aerosol-generating substrate during insertion of the article into the aerosol-generating device.

Preferably, the hollow tubular section of the support element is adapted to generate about 0 mm H ₂ O (about 0 Pa) and about 20 mm H ₂ O (about 100 Pa), more preferably about 0 mm H ₂ O (about 0 Pa) and about 10 mm H ₂ RTD between O (about 100 Pa). Thus, the support element preferably does not contribute to the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article.

Wherein the intermediate hollow section comprises: in some embodiments of both the support element comprising the first hollow tube section and the aerosol-cooling element comprising the second hollow tubular segment, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular segment _STS ) Preferably greater than the internal diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS )。

In more detail, the internal diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) Preferably at least about 1.25. More preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular segment _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) Preferably at least about 1.3. Even more preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) Preferably at least about 1.4. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) Is at least about 1.5, more preferably at least about 1.6.

Inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) Preferably less than or equal to about 2.5. More preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) Preferably less than or equal to about 2.25. Even more preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) In betweenThe ratio is preferably less than or equal to about 2.

In some embodiments, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular segment _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.25 to about 2.5. Preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular segment _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.3 to about 2.5. More preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.4 to about 2.5. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.5 to about 2.5.

In other embodiments, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular segment _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.25 to about 2.25. Preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.3 to about 2.25. More preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular segment _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.4 to about 2.25. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.5 to about 2.25.

In further embodiments, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular segment _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.25 to about 2. Preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular segment _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.3 to about 2. More preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.4 to about 2. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) From about 1.5 to about 2.

In those embodiments in which the article further comprises an elongate susceptor element arranged longitudinally within the aerosol-generating substrate, as described below, the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular segment _FTS ) The ratio to the width of the susceptor element is preferably at least about 0.2. More preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) And the width of the susceptor element is at least about 0.3. Even more preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular section _FTS ) And the width of the susceptor element is at least about 0.4.

Additionally or alternatively, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) The ratio to the width of the susceptor element is preferably at least about 0.2. More preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the width of the susceptor element is at least about 0.5. Even more preferably, the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section _STS ) And the width of the susceptor element is at least about 0.8.

Preferably, the ratio between the volume of the cavity of the first hollow tubular section and the volume of the cavity of the second hollow tubular section is at least about 0.1. More preferably, the ratio between the volume of the cavity of the first hollow tubular section and the volume of the cavity of the second hollow tubular section is at least about 0.2. Even more preferably, the ratio between the volume of the cavity of the first hollow tubular section and the volume of the cavity of the second hollow tubular section is at least about 0.3.

The ratio between the volume of the cavity of the first hollow tubular section and the volume of the cavity of the second hollow tubular section is preferably less than or equal to about 0.9. More preferably, the ratio between the volume of the cavity of the first hollow tubular section and the volume of the cavity of the second hollow tubular section is preferably less than or equal to about 0.7. Even more preferably, the ratio between the volume of the cavity of the first hollow tubular section and the volume of the cavity of the second hollow tubular section is preferably less than or equal to about 0.5.

As defined above, the aerosol-generating article of the present invention comprises a rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate may be a solid aerosol-generating substrate.

In certain preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a homogenized plant material, preferably a homogenized tobacco material.

As used herein, the term "homogenized plant material" encompasses any plant material formed from agglomeration of plant particles. For example, a sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material for use in the aerosol-generating substrate of the invention may be formed by agglomerating particles of tobacco material obtained by comminuting, grinding or grinding a plant material and optionally one or more of a tobacco leaf body and a tobacco leaf stem. Homogenized plant material may be produced by casting, extrusion, paper making processes, or any other suitable process known in the art.

The homogenized plant material may be provided in any suitable form. For example, the homogenized plant material may be in the form of one or more sheets. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "sheet" describes a layered element having a width and length substantially greater than its thickness.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized plant material may be in the form of a plurality of pellets or granules.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized plant material may be in the form of a plurality of strips, strips or pieces. As used herein, the term "sliver" describes an elongated member material having a length substantially greater than its width and thickness. The term "sliver" should be taken to include strips, pieces and any other homogenized plant material having a similar form. The homogenized plant material strand may be formed from a sheet of homogenized plant material, for example by cutting or shredding, or by other methods, for example by extrusion methods.

In some embodiments, the thin rod may be formed in situ within the aerosol-generating substrate as a result of splitting or splitting of the sheet of homogenised plant material during formation of the aerosol-generating substrate, for example as a result of crimping. The homogenized plant material strands within the aerosol-generating substrate may be separated from each other. Alternatively, each strand of homogenized plant material within the aerosol-generating substrate may be at least partially connected to an adjacent strand or strands along the length of the strand. For example, adjacent strands may be connected by one or more fibers. This may occur, for example, where a thin line is formed due to splitting of a sheet of homogenised plant material during production of the aerosol-generating substrate, as described above.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate is in the form of one or more sheets of homogenised plant material. In various embodiments of the invention, one or more sheets of homogenized plant material may be produced by a casting process. In various embodiments of the invention, one or more sheets of homogenized plant material may be produced by a papermaking process. One or more sheets as described herein may each individually have a thickness of between 100 and 600 microns, preferably between 150 and 300 microns, and most preferably between 200 and 250 microns. Individual thickness refers to the thickness of the individual sheets, while combined thickness refers to the total thickness of all sheets that make up the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, if the aerosol-generating substrate is formed from two separate sheets, the combined thickness is the sum of the thicknesses of the two separate sheets or the measured thicknesses of the two sheets if the two sheets are stacked in the aerosol-generating substrate.

One or more sheets as described herein can each individually have about 100g/m ² To about 300g/m ² In grams per square meter.

One or more sheets as described herein can each individually have about 0.3g/cm ³ To about 1.3g/cm ³ Preferably about 0.7g/cm ³ To about 1.0g/cm ³ The density of (c).

In embodiments of the invention in which the aerosol-generating substrate comprises one or more sheets of homogenized plant material, the sheet is preferably in the form of one or more gathered sheets. As used herein, the term "gathered" means that the sheet of homogenized plant material is rolled, folded or otherwise compressed or shrunk to be substantially transverse to the cylindrical axis of the rod or strip.

One or more sheets of homogenized plant material may be gathered transversely with respect to its longitudinal axis and wrapped with a wrapper to form a continuous strip or rod.

One or more sheets of homogenized plant material may advantageously be curled or similarly treated. As used herein, the term "crimped" means that the sheet has a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations. Alternatively or in addition to crimping, one or more sheets of homogenized plant material may be embossed, debossed, perforated or otherwise deformed to provide texture on one or both sides of the sheet.

Preferably, each sheet of homogenized plant material may be crimped such that it has a plurality of ridges or corrugations substantially parallel to the cylindrical axis of the rod. This treatment advantageously promotes the aggregation of the crimped sheet of homogenised plant material to form a rod. Preferably, one or more sheets of homogenized plant material may be gathered. It is understood that the curled sheet of homogenized plant material may alternatively or additionally have a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations, which are arranged at acute or obtuse angles to the cylindrical axis of the rod. The sheet may be curled to such an extent that the integrity of the sheet is disrupted at a plurality of parallel ridges or corrugations, causing the material to separate and resulting in the formation of fragments, slivers or strips of homogenised plant material.

Alternatively, one or more sheets of homogenized plant material may be cut into thin strips as described above. In such embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a plurality of homogenized plant material strands. The strands may be used to form rods. Typically, the width of these strands is about 5 mm, or about 4 mm, or about 3 mm, or about 2 mm or less. The length of the strands may be greater than about 5 millimeters, between about 5 millimeters and about 15 millimeters, about 8 millimeters to about 12 millimeters, or about 12 millimeters. Preferably, the slivers have substantially the same length as each other. The length of the sliver may be determined by the manufacturing process, whereby the sliver is cut into shorter rods and the length of the sliver corresponds to the length of the rod. The strands may be brittle, which may lead to breakage, especially during transport. In this case, the length of some of the slivers may be less than the length of the rod.

The plurality of filaments preferably extends substantially longitudinally along the length of the aerosol-generating substrate in alignment with the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the plurality of strips are thus aligned substantially parallel to each other.

The homogenized plant material may comprise up to about 95 weight percent plant particles on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the homogenized plant material comprises at most about 90 weight percent plant particles, more preferably at most about 80 weight percent plant particles, more preferably at most about 70 weight percent plant particles, more preferably at most about 60 weight percent plant particles, more preferably at most about 50 weight percent plant particles on a dry weight basis.

For example, the homogenized plant material may comprise between about 2.5% and about 95% by weight plant particles, or between about 5% and about 90% by weight plant particles, or between about 10% and about 80% by weight plant particles, or between about 15% and about 70% by weight plant particles, or between about 20% and about 60% by weight plant particles, or between about 30% and about 50% by weight plant particles on a dry weight basis.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the homogenized plant material is homogenized tobacco material comprising tobacco particles. The sheet of homogenized tobacco material for use in such embodiments of the invention may have a tobacco content of at least about 40 weight percent on a dry weight basis, more preferably at least about 50 weight percent on a dry weight basis, more preferably at least about 70 weight percent on a dry weight basis, and most preferably at least about 90 weight percent on a dry weight basis.

With reference to the present invention, the term "tobacco particles" describes particles of any plant member of the nicotiana genus. The term "tobacco particles" includes ground or comminuted tobacco lamina, ground or comminuted tobacco leaf stems, tobacco dust, tobacco fines and other particulate tobacco by-products formed during processing, handling and transportation of tobacco. In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco particles are derived substantially entirely from tobacco lamina. In contrast, isolated nicotine and nicotine salts are tobacco-derived compounds, but are not considered tobacco particles for the purposes of the present invention and are not included in the percentage of particulate plant material.

The tobacco particles can be prepared from one or more tobacco plants. Any type of tobacco can be used in the blend. Examples of types of tobacco that can be used include, but are not limited to, sun cured, flue cured, burley, maryland (marylandtobacaco), oriental (Orientaltobacco), virginia (Virginiatobacco), and other specialty tobaccos.

Flue-cured tobacco is a method of curing tobacco, particularly for use with virginia tobacco. During the curing process, heated air is circulated through the densely packed tobacco. During the first phase, the tobacco leaves turn yellow and wither. During the second phase, the leaves of the leaf are completely dried. In the third stage, the leaf stalks are completely dried.

Burley tobacco plays an important role in many tobacco blends. Burley tobacco has a distinctive flavor and aroma, and also has the ability to absorb large amounts of casing (smoking).

Oriental tobacco is a tobacco with small lamina and high aromatic quality. However, oriental tobacco has a milder flavor than, for example, burley tobacco. Thus, a relatively small proportion of oriental tobacco is typically used in tobacco blends.

Kasturi, madura, and Jatim are all subtypes of sun-cured tobacco that can be used. Preferably, kasturi tobacco and flue-cured tobacco can be used in the mixture to produce tobacco particles. Thus, the tobacco particles in the particulate plant material may comprise a mixture of Kasturi tobacco and flue-cured tobacco.

The tobacco particles can have a nicotine content of at least about 2.5 weight percent on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the tobacco particles may have a nicotine content of at least about 3 wt%, even more preferably at least about 3.2 wt%, even more preferably at least about 3.5 wt%, most preferably at least about 4 wt% on a dry weight basis.

In certain other embodiments of the present invention, the homogenized botanical material comprises tobacco particles combined with non-tobacco botanical flavor particles. Preferably, the non-tobacco botanical flavour particle is selected from one or more of the following: ginger granules, rosemary granules, eucalyptus granules, clove granules and anise granules. Preferably, in such embodiments, the homogenized botanical material comprises at least about 2.5 weight percent non-tobacco botanical flavor particles on a dry weight basis, with the remainder of the botanical particles being tobacco particles. Preferably, the homogenized botanical material comprises at least about 4% by weight non-tobacco botanical flavor particles on a dry weight basis, more preferably at least about 6% by weight non-tobacco botanical flavor particles, more preferably at least about 8% by weight non-tobacco botanical flavor particles, and more preferably at least about 10% by weight non-tobacco botanical flavor particles. Preferably, the homogenized botanical material comprises up to about 20% by weight of non-tobacco botanical flavor particles, more preferably up to about 18% by weight of non-tobacco botanical flavor particles, more preferably up to about 16% by weight of non-tobacco botanical flavor particles.

The weight ratio of non-tobacco botanical flavour particles to tobacco particles in the particulate botanical material forming the homogenized botanical material may vary depending on the desired flavour characteristics and composition of the aerosol produced by the aerosol-generating substrate during use. Preferably, the homogenized botanical material comprises at least 1.

The homogenized plant material preferably comprises not more than 95 wt.% particulate plant material on a dry weight basis. Thus, the particulate plant material is typically combined with one or more other components to form a homogenized plant material.

The homogenized plant material may also comprise a binder to modify the mechanical properties of the granulated plant material, wherein said binder is comprised in the homogenized plant material during manufacture as described herein. Suitable exogenous binders are known to those skilled in the art and include, but are not limited to: gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic, and locust bean gum; cellulose binders such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, and ethyl cellulose; polysaccharides, such as starch; organic acids such as alginic acid; conjugate base salts of organic acids, such as sodium alginate, agar, and pectin; and combinations thereof. Preferably, the binder comprises guar gum.

The binder may be present in an amount of from about 1 to about 10 wt.%, preferably in an amount of from about 2 to about 5 wt.%, based on the dry weight of the homogenized plant material.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized plant material may further comprise one or more lipids to facilitate diffusion of volatile components (e.g. aerosol former, gingerol and nicotine), wherein lipids are included in the homogenized plant material during manufacture as described herein. Suitable lipids for inclusion in the homogenized plant material include, but are not limited to: medium chain triglycerides, cocoa butter, palm oil, palm kernel oil, mango oil, shea butter, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, sunflower oil, rice bran, and revel a; and combinations thereof.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized plant material may further comprise a pH modifier.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized plant material may further comprise fibres to alter the mechanical properties of the homogenized plant material, wherein said fibres are comprised in the homogenized plant material during manufacture as described herein. Suitable exogenous fibers for inclusion in the homogenized plant material are known in the art and include fibers formed from non-tobacco and non-ginger materials, including but not limited to: cellulose fibers; softwood fibers; hardwood fibers; jute fibers and combinations thereof. Exogenous fibers derived from tobacco and/or ginger may also be added. Any fibres added to the homogenized plant material are not considered to form part of the "particulate plant material" as defined above. Prior to inclusion in the homogenized plant material, the fibers may be treated by suitable methods known in the art, including but not limited to: mechanically pulping; refining; chemical pulping; bleaching; sulfate pulping; and combinations thereof. The fibers typically have a length greater than their width.

Suitable fibers typically have a length greater than 400 microns and less than or equal to 4 millimeters, preferably in the range of 0.7 millimeters to 4 millimeters. Preferably, the fibers are present in an amount of about 2 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, most preferably about 4 wt.%, based on the dry weight of the matrix.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized plant material may further comprise one or more aerosol former. Upon volatilisation, the aerosol former may deliver other vapourising compounds, such as nicotine and flavourings, in the aerosol which are released from the aerosol-generating substrate upon heating. Suitable aerosol-formers for inclusion in the homogenized plant material are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol and glycerin; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di-or triacetate; and fatty acid esters of mono-, di-or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyldodecanedioate and dimethyltetradecanedioate.

The homogenized plant material may have an aerosol former content of between about 5 wt.% and about 30 wt.% on a dry weight basis, for example between about 10 wt.% and about 25 wt.% on a dry weight basis, or between about 15 wt.% and about 20 wt.% on a dry weight basis.

For example, if the substrate is intended for use in an aerosol-generating article of an electrically operated aerosol-generating system having a heating element, it may preferably comprise between about 5 wt% and about 30 wt% aerosol former content on a dry weight basis. If the substrate is intended for use in an aerosol-generating article of an electrically operated aerosol-generating system having a heating element, the aerosol-former is preferably glycerol.

In other embodiments the homogenized plant material may have an aerosol former content of from about 1 weight percent to about 5 weight percent on a dry weight basis. For example, if the substrate is intended for an aerosol-generating article in which the aerosol former is held in a reservoir separate from the substrate, the substrate may have an aerosol former content of greater than 1% and less than about 5%. In such embodiments, the aerosol-former volatilises on heating and the flow of aerosol-former contacts the aerosol-generating substrate so as to entrain flavour from the aerosol-generating substrate in the aerosol.

In other embodiments, the homogenized plant material may have an aerosol former content of about 30 wt.% to about 45 wt.%. Such relatively high levels of aerosol former are particularly suitable for aerosol-generating substrates which are intended to be heated at temperatures below 275 degrees celsius. In such embodiments, the homogenized plant material preferably further comprises between about 2 weight percent and about 10 weight percent cellulose ether on a dry weight basis and between about 5 weight percent and about 50 weight percent additional cellulose on a dry weight basis. It has been found that the use of a combination of a cellulose ether and additional cellulose provides particularly effective aerosol delivery when used in aerosol-generating substrates having an aerosol former content of between 30 and 45 wt%.

Suitable cellulose ethers include, but are not limited to, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cellulose ether is carboxymethyl cellulose.

As used herein, the term "additional cellulose" encompasses any cellulosic material incorporated into the homogenized plant material that is not derived from non-tobacco plant particles or tobacco particles provided in the homogenized plant material. Thus, in addition to the non-tobacco plant material or tobacco material, additional cellulose is incorporated into the homogenized plant material as a separate and distinct cellulose source from any cellulose inherently provided within the non-tobacco plant particles or tobacco particles. The additional cellulose is typically derived from a plant other than the non-tobacco plant particles or tobacco particles. Preferably, the additional cellulose is in the form of an inert cellulosic material which is sensorially inert and therefore does not substantially affect the sensory properties of the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the additional cellulose is preferably a tasteless and odorless material.

The additional cellulose may include cellulose powder, cellulose fibers, or a combination thereof.

The aerosol-forming agent may act as a humectant in the aerosol-generating substrate.

The wrapper defining the strip of homogenized plant material may be a paper wrapper or a non-paper wrapper. Suitable paper wrappers for use in particular embodiments of the present invention are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: cigarette paper; and a filter plug segment wrapper. Suitable non-paper wrappers for use in particular embodiments of the present invention are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, sheets of homogenized tobacco material. In certain preferred embodiments, the wrapper may be formed from a laminate comprising a plurality of layers. Preferably, the wrapper is formed from an aluminium co-laminated sheet material. The use of a co-laminate sheet comprising aluminium advantageously prevents combustion of the aerosol-generating substrate in the event that the aerosol-generating substrate should be ignited rather than heated in the intended manner.

In other preferred embodiments of the invention, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a gel composition comprising an alkaloid compound. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a gel composition comprising nicotine.

Preferably, the gel composition comprises an alkaloid compound; an aerosol former; and at least one gelling agent. Preferably, the at least one gelling agent forms a solid medium and the glycerol is dispersed in the solid medium, wherein the alkaloid is dispersed in the glycerol. Preferably, the gel composition is a stable gel phase.

Advantageously, the stable gel composition comprising nicotine provides a predictable composition form upon storage or shipment from the manufacturer to the consumer. The stable gel composition comprising nicotine substantially retains its shape. The stable gel composition comprising nicotine releases substantially no liquid phase upon storage or shipment from the manufacturer to the consumer. A stable gel composition comprising nicotine may provide a simple consumable design. The consumable may not necessarily be designed to contain a liquid, and therefore a wider range of materials and container configurations may be considered.

The gel compositions described herein may be combined with an aerosol-generating device to provide nicotine aerosol to the lungs at an inhalation rate or air flow rate in a range of inhalation rates or air flow rates for conventional smoking regimes. The aerosol-generating device may heat the gel composition continuously. The consumer may take multiple inhalations or "puffs," where each "puff" delivers an amount of nicotine aerosol. The gel composition is capable of delivering a high nicotine/low Total Particulate Matter (TPM) aerosol to a consumer when heated, preferably in a continuous manner.

The phrase "stable gel phase" or "stable gel" refers to a gel that substantially retains its shape and quality when exposed to various environmental conditions. A stable gel may not substantially release (sweat) or absorb moisture when exposed to standard temperature and pressure while varying the relative humidity from about 10% to about 60%. For example, a stable gel may substantially retain its shape and quality when exposed to standard temperature and pressure while the relative humidity changes from about 10% to about 60%.

The gel composition includes an alkaloid compound. The gel composition may include one or more alkaloids.

The term "alkaloid compound" refers to any of a class of naturally occurring organic compounds that contain one or more basic nitrogen atoms. Typically, alkaloids contain at least one nitrogen atom in the amine-type structure. This or another nitrogen atom in the molecule of the alkaloid compound may be used as a base in an acid-base reaction. One or more of the nitrogen atoms of most alkaloid compounds are part of a ring system, such as a heterocycle. In nature, alkaloid compounds are found primarily in plants, particularly in certain flowering plant families. However, some alkaloid compounds are present in animal species and fungi. In the present disclosure, the term "alkaloid compound" refers to alkaloid compounds of natural origin and synthetically produced alkaloid compounds.

The gel composition may preferably comprise an alkaloid compound selected from nicotine, anacitabine, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the gel composition comprises nicotine.

The term "nicotine" refers to nicotine and nicotine derivatives such as free base nicotine, nicotine salts and the like.

The gel composition preferably comprises from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of the alkaloid compound. The gel composition can include about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of the alkaloid compound. Preferably, the gel composition comprises from about 1% to about 3% by weight of the alkaloid compound. The gel composition may preferably comprise from about 1.5% to about 2.5% by weight of the alkaloid compound. The gel composition may preferably comprise about 2% by weight of the alkaloid compound. The alkaloid compound component of the gel formulation may be the most volatile component of the gel formulation. In some aspects, water may be the most volatile component of the gel formulation, and the alkaloid compound component of the gel formulation may be the second most volatile component of the gel formulation. In some aspects, water may be the most volatile component of the gel formulation, and the alkaloid compound component of the gel formulation may be the second most volatile component of the gel formulation.

Preferably, nicotine is included in the gel composition. The nicotine may be added to the composition in the form of a free base or in the form of a salt. The gel composition comprises from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight nicotine, or from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight nicotine. Preferably, the gel composition comprises from about 1% to about 3% by weight nicotine, or from about 1.5% to about 2.5% by weight nicotine, or about 2% by weight nicotine. The nicotine component of the gel formulation may be the most volatile component of the gel formulation. In some aspects, water may be the most volatile component of the gel formulation, and the nicotine component of the gel formulation may be the second most volatile component of the gel formulation.

Preferably, the gel composition comprises an aerosol former. Ideally, the aerosol former is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the associated aerosol-generating device. Suitable aerosol-forming agents include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, and glycerin; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di-or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. The polyol or mixture thereof may be one or more of triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, glycerol (glycerine or propane-1, 2, 3-triol) or polyethylene glycol. The aerosol former is preferably glycerol.

The gel composition may include a majority of the aerosol former. The gel composition may comprise a mixture of water and an aerosol former, wherein the aerosol former forms a major portion (by weight) of the gel composition. The aerosol former may form at least about 50% by weight of the gel composition. The aerosol former may form at least about 60% or at least about 65% or at least about 70% by weight of the gel composition. The aerosol former may form from about 70% to about 80% by weight of the gel composition. The aerosol former may form from about 70% to about 75% by weight of the gel composition.

The gel composition may include a majority of glycerin. The gel composition may comprise a mixture of water and glycerol, wherein the glycerol forms the majority (by weight) of the gel composition. The glycerin may form at least about 50% by weight of the gel composition. The glycerin may form at least about 60% or at least about 65% or at least about 70% by weight of the gel composition. The glycerin may form from about 70% to about 80% by weight of the gel composition. The glycerin may form from about 70% to about 75% by weight of the gel composition.

The gel composition preferably includes at least one gelling agent. Preferably, the gel composition includes a total amount of gelling agent in a range from about 0.4 wt% to about 10 wt%. More preferably, the composition includes a gelling agent in a range from about 0.5 wt% to about 8 wt%. More preferably, the composition includes a gelling agent in a range from about 1% to about 6% by weight. More preferably, the composition includes a gelling agent in a range from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%. More preferably, the composition includes a gelling agent in a range from about 2% to about 3% by weight.

The term "gelling agent" refers to a compound that when added to a mixture of 50 wt% water/50 wt% glycerin in an amount of about 0.3 wt%, homogenously forms a solid medium or supporting matrix that results in a gel. Gelling agents include, but are not limited to, hydrogen bond crosslinking gelling agents and ionic crosslinking gelling agents.

The gelling agent may comprise one or more biopolymers. The biopolymer may be formed from a polysaccharide.

Biopolymers include, for example, gellan gum (natural, low acyl gellan gum, high acyl gellan gum, preferably low acyl gellan gum), xanthan gum, alginate (alginic acid), agar, guar gum, and the like. The composition may preferably comprise xanthan gum. The composition may comprise two biopolymers. The composition may include three biopolymers. The composition may comprise substantially equal amounts by weight of the two biopolymers. The composition may comprise substantially equal amounts by weight of the three biopolymers.

Preferably, the gel composition includes at least about 0.2 wt.% of the hydrogen-bonding crosslinking gelling agent. Alternatively or additionally, the gel composition preferably includes at least about 0.2 wt% of the ionically crosslinked gelling agent. Most preferably, the gel composition includes at least about 0.2 wt.% of the hydrogen bonding cross-linking gelling agent and at least about 0.2 wt.% of the ionic cross-linking gelling agent. The gel composition may include from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt% of the hydrogen-bonding cross-linking gelling agent and from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt% of the ionic cross-linking gelling agent, or from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt% of the hydrogen-bonding cross-linking gelling agent and from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt% of the ionic cross-linking gelling agent. The hydrogen bond crosslinking gelling agent and the ionic crosslinking gelling agent may be present in the gel composition in substantially equal amounts by weight.

The term "hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent" refers to a gelling agent that forms non-covalent crosslinks or physical crosslinks via hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bonding is an electrostatic dipole-dipole attraction type between molecules, rather than a covalent bond with a hydrogen atom. It is generated by the attractive force between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom (such as an N, O or F atom) and another electronegative atom.

The hydrogen bonding cross-linking gelling agent may comprise one or more of galactomannan, gelatin, agarose or konjac gum or agar. The hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent may preferably comprise agar.

The gel composition preferably includes a hydrogen-bonding crosslinking gelling agent in a range from about 0.3 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the composition includes a hydrogen-bonding crosslinking gelling agent in a range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the composition includes a hydrogen-bonding crosslinking gelling agent in a range from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%.

The gel composition may include galactomannan in a range from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the galactomannan may be in the range of from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the galactomannan may be in the range of from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%. Preferably, the galactomannan may be in the range of from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition may include gelatin in a range from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight. Preferably, the gelatin may be in the range of from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the gelatin may be in the range of from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight. Preferably, the gelatin may be in the range of about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition may comprise agarose in a range from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the agarose may be in the range of from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the agarose may be in the range of from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%. Preferably, the agarose may be in the range of from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%.

The gel composition may include konjac gum in a range from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, konjac gum can range from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight. Preferably, konjac gum can range from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight. Preferably, konjac gum can range from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition may include agar in a range from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight. Preferably, the agar may be in the range of from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight. Preferably, the agar may be in the range of from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight. Preferably, the agar may be in the range of from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The term "ionically crosslinking gelling agent" refers to a gelling agent that forms non-covalent crosslinks or physical crosslinks through ionic bonds. Ionic crosslinking involves association of polymer chains by non-covalent interactions. Crosslinked networks are formed when multivalent molecules of opposite charge are electrostatically attracted to each other to form a crosslinked polymer network.

The ionically cross-linking gelling agent may comprise a low acyl gellan gum, pectin, kappa carrageenan, iota carrageenan, or alginate. The ionic crosslinking gelling agent may preferably comprise a low acyl gellan gum.

The gel composition may include an ionically crosslinked gelling agent in a range from about 0.3 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the composition includes an ionically cross-linked gelling agent in a range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the composition comprises an ionically crosslinked gelling agent in a range from about 1 wt.% to about 2 wt.%.

The gel composition may include low acyl gellan gum in a range from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the low acyl gellan gum may be in the range of from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the low acyl gellan gum may be in the range of from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%. Preferably, the low acyl gellan gum may be in the range of from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition may comprise pectin in a range from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight. Preferably, the pectin may range from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight. Preferably, the pectin may range from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight. Preferably, the pectin may range from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition may include kappa-carrageenan in a range from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight. Preferably, the kappa-carrageenan may range from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight. Preferably, the kappa-carrageenan may range from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight. Preferably, the kappa-carrageenan may range from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition can include iota carrageenan in a range from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight. Preferably, iota carrageenan can range from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight. Preferably, iota carrageenan can range from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight. Preferably, iota carrageenan can range from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition may include alginate in a range from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight. Preferably, the alginate may be in the range of from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight. Preferably, the alginate may be in the range of from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight. Preferably, the alginate may range from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition can include a hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent and an ionic crosslinking gelling agent in a ratio of about 3. Preferably, the gel composition can include a hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent and an ionic crosslinking gelling agent in a ratio of about 2. Preferably, the gel composition can include a hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent and an ionic crosslinking gelling agent in a ratio of about 1.

The gel composition may also include a tackifier. The viscosifying agent in combination with the hydrogen-bond crosslinking gelling agent and the ionic crosslinking gelling agent appears to unexpectedly support the solid medium and maintain the gel composition even when the gel composition comprises high levels of glycerin.

The term "viscosity increasing agent" refers to a compound that, when added homogeneously in an amount of 0.3% by weight to a mixture of 25 ℃, 50% by weight water/50% by weight glycerol, increases viscosity without causing gel formation, the mixture retaining or retaining fluid. Preferably, tackifier means that when added homogeneously in an amount of 0.3% by weight to a mixture of 50% by weight water/50% by weight glycerol at 25 ℃ in 0.1s ^-1 The shear rate of (a) increases the viscosity to at least 50cPs, preferably at least 200cPs, preferably at least 500cPs, preferably at least 1000cPs, without causing gel formation, the mixture retaining or compounds retaining the fluid. Preferably, tackifier means that when added homogeneously in an amount of 0.3% by weight to a mixture of 50% by weight water/50% by weight glycerol at 25 ℃ in 0.1s ^-1 The shear rate of (a) increases the viscosity by at least 2-fold, or at least 5-fold, or at least 10-fold, or at least 100-fold, compared to the viscosity prior to addition, without causing gel formation, the mixture retaining or retaining fluid compounds.

The viscosity values described herein can be measured using a brookfield RVT viscometer at 25 ℃ rotating a disk RV #2 spindle at 6 revolutions per minute (rpm).

The gel composition preferably includes a tackifier in a range from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the composition includes a tackifier in a range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the composition includes a tackifier in a range from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%. Preferably, the composition includes in the range of from about 1% to about 2% by weight of the tackifier.

The viscosifying agent may include one or more of xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, methyl cellulose, gum arabic, guar gum, lambda carrageenan, or starch. The viscosity increasing agent may preferably comprise xanthan gum.

The gel composition may include xanthan gum in a range from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the xanthan gum can range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the xanthan gum can range from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%. Preferably, the xanthan gum can range from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition may include carboxymethyl cellulose in a range from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight. Preferably, the carboxymethyl cellulose may be in a range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the carboxymethyl cellulose may range from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight. Preferably, the carboxymethyl cellulose may range from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition may include microcrystalline cellulose in a range from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the microcrystalline cellulose may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the microcrystalline cellulose may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%. Preferably, the microcrystalline cellulose may range from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%.

The gel composition may include methylcellulose in a range from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the methylcellulose may range from about 0.5 wt.% to about 3 wt.%. Preferably, the methylcellulose may be in a range from about 0.5 wt.% to about 2 wt.%. Preferably, the methylcellulose may range from about 1 wt.% to about 2 wt.%.

The gel composition may comprise gum arabic in a range from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, gum arabic may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, gum arabic may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%. Preferably, gum arabic may range from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%.

The gel composition may include guar gum in a range from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, guar gum may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, guar gum may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%. Preferably, guar gum may range from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition may include lambda carrageenan in a range from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight. Preferably, the lambda carrageenan may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the lambda carrageenan may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%. Preferably, the lambda carrageenan may range from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%.

The gel composition may include starch in a range from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the starch may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the starch may range from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight. Preferably, the starch may range from about 1% to about 2% by weight.

The gel composition may also include a divalent cation. Preferably, the divalent cations include calcium ions, such as calcium lactate in solution. For example, divalent cations (such as calcium ions) can help form a gel of a composition that includes a gelling agent, such as an ionically crosslinked gelling agent. The ionic effect may aid in gel formation. The divalent cation may be present in the gel composition in a range of about 0.1 wt.% to about 1 wt.% or about 0.5 wt.%.

The gel composition may also include an acid. The acid may comprise a carboxylic acid. The carboxylic acid may comprise a ketone group. Preferably, the carboxylic acid may include a ketone group having less than about 10 carbon atoms, or less than about 6 carbon atoms, or less than about 4 carbon atoms, such as levulinic acid or lactic acid. Preferably, the carboxylic acid has three carbon atoms (such as lactic acid). Lactic acid surprisingly improves the stability of the gel composition even over similar carboxylic acids. The carboxylic acid may aid in gel formation. The carboxylic acid can reduce variations in the concentration of the alkaloid compound in the gel composition during storage. The carboxylic acid can reduce the variation in nicotine concentration in the gel composition during storage.

The gel composition may include the carboxylic acid in a range from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the carboxylic acid may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the carboxylic acid may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%. Preferably, the carboxylic acid may range from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%.

The gel composition may include lactic acid in a range from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%. Preferably, the lactic acid may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%. Preferably, the lactic acid may range from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%. Preferably, the lactic acid may range from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%.

The gel composition may include levulinic acid in a range from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight. Preferably, the levulinic acid can range from about 0.5 weight percent to about 3 weight percent. Preferably, the levulinic acid may range from about 0.5 weight percent to about 2 weight percent. Preferably, the levulinic acid can range from about 1 weight percent to about 2 weight percent.

The gel composition preferably includes some water. When the gel composition includes some water, the gel composition is more stable. Preferably, the gel composition comprises at least about 1 wt.%, or at least about 2 wt.%, or at least about 5 wt.% water. Preferably, the gel composition comprises at least about 10% or at least about 15% by weight water.

Preferably, the gel composition comprises between about 8% and 32% by weight water. Preferably, the gel composition comprises from about 15% to about 25% by weight water. Preferably, the gel composition comprises from about 18% to about 22% by weight water. Preferably, the gel composition comprises about 20% by weight water.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises between about 150mg and about 350mg of the gel composition.

Preferably, in embodiments comprising a gel composition, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a porous medium loaded with the gel composition. An advantage of the porous medium loaded with the gel composition is that the gel composition remains within the porous medium, and this may facilitate manufacturing, storage or transportation of the gel composition. Which can help maintain the desired shape of the gel composition, particularly during manufacture, shipping, or use.

The term "porous" is used herein to refer to a material that provides a plurality of pores or openings that allow air to pass through the material.

The porous medium can be any suitable porous material capable of holding or retaining the gel composition. Desirably, the porous medium may allow the gel composition to move therein. In particular embodiments, the porous medium comprises a natural material, a synthetic or semi-synthetic material, or a combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the porous media comprises a sheet material, foam, or fibers, such as loose fibers; or a combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the porous media comprises a woven, non-woven, or extruded material, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the porous medium comprises cotton, paper, viscose, PLA or cellulose acetate, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the porous medium comprises a sheet material, such as cotton or cellulose acetate. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the porous medium comprises a sheet made of cotton fibers.

The porous media used in the present invention may be crimped or chopped. In a preferred embodiment, the porous media is coiled. In an alternative embodiment, the porous media comprises shredded porous media. The crimping or chopping process can be before or after loading the gel composition.

Crimping the sheet has the benefit of improving the structure to allow passage through the structure. The passage through the curled sheet material helps to load the gel, hold the gel, and also helps to pass fluid through the curled sheet material. Therefore, there are advantages to using a curled sheet material as the porous medium.

The chopping allows the high surface area to volume ratio of the medium to readily absorb the gel.

In a particular embodiment, the sheet is a composite material. Preferably, the sheet material is porous. The sheet material may assist in the manufacture of the tubular element comprising the gel. The sheet material may assist in introducing the active agent into the tubular member comprising the gel. The sheet material may help to stabilize the structure of the tubular element comprising the gel. The sheet may assist in transporting or storing the gel. The use of a sheet material may enable or facilitate the addition of structure to the porous media, for example by crimping the sheet material.

The porous medium may be a wire. The thread may comprise, for example, cotton, paper or acetate. The wire may also be loaded with a gel, as any other porous medium. An advantage of using a thread as the porous medium is that it may help ease manufacturing.

The wires may be loaded with the gel by any known means. The wire may simply be coated with the gel, or the wire may be impregnated with the gel. In manufacture, the wire may be impregnated with the gel and stored ready for inclusion in the assembly of the tubular element.

The porous medium loaded with the gel composition is preferably provided within a tubular element forming part of an aerosol-generating article. Desirably, the longitudinal length of the tubular member may be longer than the width, but is not required as it may be part of a multi-component article whose longitudinal length is desirably longer than its width. Typically, the tubular element is cylindrical, but this is not essential. For example, the tubular element may have an elliptical, triangular or rectangular-like polygonal or irregular cross-section.

The tubular element preferably comprises a first longitudinal passage. The tubular element is preferably formed by a wrapper defining a first longitudinal passage. The wrapper is preferably a waterproof wrapper. This waterproof property of the package may be achieved by using a waterproof material or by treating the material of the package. This may be achieved by treating one or both sides of the package. Waterproofing will help to maintain structure, stiffness or rigidity. This may also help to prevent leakage of gel or liquid, especially when using a gel of fluid construction.

Preferably, in embodiments in which the aerosol-generating substrate rod comprises a gel composition as described above, the downstream section of the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-cooling element of less than 10 millimetres in length. It has been found that the use of a relatively short aerosol-cooling element in combination with a gel composition optimizes the delivery of the aerosol to the consumer.

Embodiments of the invention in which the aerosol-generating substrate rod comprises a gel composition as described above preferably comprise an upstream element upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate rod. In this case, the upstream element advantageously prevents physical contact with the gel composition. The upstream element may also advantageously compensate for any potential reduction in RTD, for example due to evaporation of the gel composition as the aerosol-generating substrate rod is heated during use.

In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the elongate susceptor element is arranged substantially longitudinally within the rod of aerosol-generating substrate and in thermal contact with the aerosol-generating substrate.

As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "susceptor element" refers to a material that can convert electromagnetic energy into heat. When located within the fluctuating electromagnetic field, eddy currents induced in the susceptor element cause heating of the susceptor element. When the elongated susceptor element is positioned in thermal contact with the aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate is heated by the susceptor element.

The term "elongated" when used to describe a susceptor element means that the susceptor element has a length dimension that is greater than its width dimension or its thickness dimension, for example greater than twice its width dimension or its thickness dimension.

The susceptor element is arranged substantially longitudinally within the stem. This means that the length dimension of the elongated susceptor element is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bar, for example within plus or minus 10 degrees of parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bar. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated susceptor element may be located at a radially central position within the strip and extend along the longitudinal axis of the strip.

Preferably, the susceptor element extends all the way to the downstream end of the rod of aerosol-generating article. In some embodiments, the susceptor element may extend all the way to the upstream end of the rod of aerosol-generating article. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the susceptor element has substantially the same length as the aerosol-generating substrate rod and extends from an upstream end of the rod to a downstream end of the rod.

The susceptor element is preferably in the form of a needle, strip or blade.

The susceptor element preferably has a length of from about 5 mm to about 15 mm, for example from about 6 mm to about 12 mm, or from about 8 mm to about 10 mm.

The ratio between the length of the susceptor element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate may be from about 0.2 to about 0.35.

Preferably, the ratio between the length of the susceptor element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is at least about 0.22, more preferably at least about 0.24, even more preferably at least about 0.26. The ratio between the length of the susceptor element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably less than about 0.34, more preferably less than about 0.32, even more preferably less than about 0.3.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the susceptor element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.22 to about 0.34, more preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.34, even more preferably from about 0.26 to about 0.34. In other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the susceptor element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.22 to about 0.32, more preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.32, even more preferably from about 0.26 to about 0.32. In further embodiments, the ratio between the length of the susceptor element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is preferably from about 0.22 to about 0.3, more preferably from about 0.24 to about 0.3, even more preferably from about 0.26 to about 0.3.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the susceptor element and the overall length of the aerosol-generating article substrate is about 0.27.

The susceptor element preferably has a width of from about 1 mm to about 5 mm.

The susceptor element may generally have a thickness of from about 0.01 mm to about 2 mm, for example from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. In some embodiments, the susceptor elements preferably have a thickness of from about 10 microns to about 500 microns, more preferably from about 10 microns to about 100 microns.

If the susceptor element has a constant cross-section, for example a circular cross-section, it preferably has a width or diameter of from about 1 mm to about 5 mm.

If the susceptor element has the form of a strip or blade, the strip or blade preferably has a rectangular shape having a width preferably from about 2 mm to about 8 mm, more preferably from about 3 mm to about 5 mm. For example, the susceptor element in the form of a strip or a blade may have a width of about 4 millimeters.

If the susceptor element has the form of a strip or blade, the strip or blade preferably has a rectangular shape and a thickness of from about 0.03 mm to about 0.15 mm, more preferably from about 0.05 mm to about 0.09 mm. For example, the susceptor element in the form of a strip or a blade may have a thickness of about 0.07 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the elongated susceptor element is in the form of a strip or blade, preferably having a rectangular shape, and having a thickness of from about 55 microns to about 65 microns.

More preferably, the elongate susceptor elements have a thickness of from about 57 microns to about 63 microns. Even more preferably, the elongated susceptor element has a thickness of from about 58 microns to about 62 microns. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the elongated susceptor element has a thickness of about 60 microns.

Preferably, the elongate susceptor element has a length which is the same as or shorter than the length of the aerosol-generating substrate. Preferably, the elongate susceptor element has the same length as the aerosol-generating substrate.

The susceptor element may be formed from any material that is capable of being inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate. Preferably the susceptor element comprises a metal or carbon.

Preferred susceptor elements may comprise or consist of ferromagnetic materials, such as ferromagnetic alloys, ferritic iron, or ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel. Suitable susceptor elements may be or include aluminum. A preferred susceptor element may be formed of 400 series stainless steel, such as grade 410 or grade 420 or grade 430 stainless steel. Different materials will consume different amounts of energy when positioned within an electromagnetic field having similar frequencies and field strength values.

Thus, parameters of the susceptor element such as material type, length, width and thickness may all be altered to achieve a desired power dissipation within a known electromagnetic field. Preferably the susceptor element may be heated to a temperature in excess of 250 degrees celsius.

Suitable susceptor elements may comprise a non-metallic core having a metal layer disposed on the non-metallic core, such as metal traces formed on the surface of a ceramic core. The susceptor element may have an outer protective layer, for example a ceramic protective layer or a glass protective layer encapsulating the susceptor element. The susceptor element may include a protective coating formed of glass, ceramic, or inert metal formed on a core of susceptor element material.

The susceptor element is arranged in thermal contact with the aerosol-generating substrate. Thus, when the susceptor element is heated up, the aerosol-generating substrate is heated and an aerosol is formed. Preferably, the susceptor element is arranged in direct physical contact with the aerosol-generating substrate, e.g. within the aerosol-generating substrate.

The susceptor element may be a multi-material susceptor element and may comprise a first susceptor element material and a second susceptor element material. The first susceptor element material is arranged in close physical contact with the second susceptor element material. The second susceptor element material preferably has a curie temperature below 500 degrees celsius. The first susceptor element material is preferably used primarily for heating the susceptor element when the susceptor element is placed in a fluctuating electromagnetic field. Any suitable material may be used. For example, the first susceptor element material may be aluminum, or may be a ferrous material, such as stainless steel. The second susceptor element material is preferably used primarily for indicating when the susceptor element has reached a certain temperature, which is the curie-temperature of the second susceptor element material. The curie-temperature of the second susceptor element material may be used to regulate the temperature of the entire susceptor element during operation. Hence, the curie temperature of the second susceptor element material should be below the ignition point of the aerosol-generating substrate. Suitable materials for the second susceptor element material may include nickel and certain nickel alloys.

By providing a susceptor element with at least a first and a second susceptor element material, wherein the second susceptor element material has a curie temperature and the first susceptor element material does not have a curie temperature, or the first and the second susceptor element material have a first and a second curie temperature which are different from each other, the heating of the aerosol-generating substrate and the temperature control of the heating can be separated. The first susceptor element material is preferably a magnetic material having a curie temperature above 500 degrees celsius. From the point of view of heating efficiency, it is desirable that the curie-temperature of the first susceptor element material is above any maximum temperature to which the susceptor element should be able to heat up. The second curie temperature may preferably be chosen to be below 400 degrees celsius, preferably below 380 degrees celsius, or below 360 degrees celsius. Preferably, the second susceptor element material is a magnetic material selected to have a second curie-temperature substantially the same as the desired maximum heating temperature. That is, it is preferred that the second curie temperature is substantially the same as the temperature to which the susceptor element should be heated in order to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate. The second curie temperature may be, for example, in a range of 200 degrees celsius to 400 degrees celsius, or between 250 degrees celsius and 360 degrees celsius. The second curie-temperature of the second susceptor element material may, for example, be selected such that the overall average temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate does not exceed 240 degrees celsius after being heated by a susceptor element at a temperature equal to the second curie-temperature.

The aerosol-generating article of the present invention may further comprise an upstream element located upstream of and adjacent to the aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the upstream section comprises at least one upstream element. The upstream element advantageously prevents direct physical contact with the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate. In particular, where the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a susceptor element, the upstream element may prevent direct physical contact with an upstream end of the susceptor element. This helps to prevent the susceptor element from being displaced or deformed during handling or transportation of the aerosol-generating article. This in turn helps to fix the form and position of the susceptor element. Furthermore, the presence of the upstream element helps to prevent any loss of the substrate, which may be advantageous, for example, if the substrate contains particulate plant material.

The upstream element may also provide an improved appearance to the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. Furthermore, if desired, the upstream element may be used to provide information about the aerosol-generating article, such as information about the brand, flavour, content or details of the aerosol-generating device with which the article is intended to be used.

The upstream element may be a porous rod element. Preferably, the porous rod element does not alter the resistance to draw of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the upstream element has a porosity of at least about 50% in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article. More preferably, the upstream element has a porosity in the longitudinal direction of between about 50% and about 90%. The porosity of the upstream element in the longitudinal direction is defined by the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the material forming the upstream element to the internal cross-sectional area of the aerosol-generating article at the location of the upstream element.

The upstream element may be made of a porous material or may comprise a plurality of openings. This can be achieved, for example, by laser perforation. Preferably, the plurality of openings are homogeneously distributed over the cross-section of the upstream element.

The porosity or permeability of the upstream element may advantageously be varied so as to provide a desired overall resistance to draw of the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the RTD of the upstream element is at least about 5 mm H ₂ And O. More preferably, the RTD of the upstream element is at least about 10 mm H ₂ And O. Even more preferably, the RTD of the upstream element is at least about 15 mm H ₂ And O. In a particularly preferred embodimentThe RTD of the upstream element is at least about 20 mm H ₂ O。

Preferably, the RTD of the upstream element is less than or equal to about 80 mm H ₂ And O. More preferably, the RTD of the upstream element is less than or equal to about 60 mm H ₂ And O. Even more preferably, the RTD of the upstream element is less than or equal to about 40 mm H ₂ O。

In some embodiments, the RTD of the upstream element is from about 5 millimeters H ₂ O to about 80 mm H ₂ O, preferably from about 10 mm H ₂ O to about 80 mm H ₂ O, more preferably from about 15 mm H ₂ O to about 80 mm H ₂ O, even more preferably from about 20 mm H ₂ O to about 80 mm H ₂ And O. In other embodiments, the RTD of the upstream element is from about 5 millimeters H ₂ O to about 60 mm H ₂ O, preferably from about 10 mm H ₂ O to about 60 mm H ₂ O, more preferably from about 15 mm H ₂ O to about 60 mm H ₂ O, even more preferably from about 20 mm H ₂ O to about 60 mm H ₂ And O. In further embodiments, the RTD of the upstream element is from about 5 millimeters H ₂ O to about 40 mm H ₂ O, preferably from about 10 mm H ₂ O to about 40 mm H ₂ O, more preferably from about 15 mm H ₂ O to about 40 mm H ₂ O, even more preferably from about 20 mm H ₂ O to about 40 mm H ₂ O。

In an alternative embodiment, the upstream element may be formed from an air impermeable material. In such embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may be configured such that air flows into the rod of aerosol-generating substrate through a suitable ventilation means provided in the package.

The upstream element may be made of any material suitable for use in aerosol-generating articles. The upstream element may, for example, be made of the same material as one of the other components used in the aerosol-generating article (e.g. the mouthpiece, the cooling element or the support element). Suitable materials for forming the upstream element include filter materials, ceramics, polymeric materials, cellulose acetate, cardboard, zeolites or aerosol generating substrates. Preferably, the upstream element is formed from a cellulose acetate rod.

Preferably, the upstream element is formed of a heat-resistant material. For example, preferably the upstream element is formed from a material that is resistant to temperatures up to 350 degrees celsius. This ensures that the upstream element is not adversely affected by the heating means used to heat the aerosol-generating substrate.

Preferably, the diameter of the upstream element is substantially equal to the diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the upstream element has a length of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, preferably between about 3 mm and about 8 mm, more preferably between about 4 mm and about 6 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the upstream element has a length of about 5 mm. The length of the upstream element may advantageously be varied in order to provide a desired overall length of the aerosol-generating article. For example, where it is desired to reduce the length of one of the other components of the aerosol-generating article, the length of the upstream element may be increased in order to maintain the same overall length of the article.

The upstream element preferably has a substantially homogeneous structure. For example, the upstream element may be substantially homogeneous in texture and appearance. The upstream element may for example have a continuous regular surface over its entire cross-section. For example, the upstream element may have no discernible symmetry.

The upstream element is preferably defined by a wrapper. The wrapper defining the upstream element is preferably a rigid rod wrapper, e.g., a rod wrapper having a basis weight of at least about 80 grams per square meter (gsm) or at least about 100gsm or at least about 110 gsm. This provides structural rigidity to the upstream element.

Aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention may have a length of from about 35 mm to about 100 mm.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention has an overall length of at least about 38 mm. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention has an overall length of at least about 40 mm. Even more preferably, the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention has an overall length of at least about 42 mm.

The overall length of the aerosol-generating article according to the invention is preferably less than or equal to 70 mm. More preferably, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article according to the invention is preferably less than or equal to 60 millimetres. Even more preferably, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article according to the invention is preferably less than or equal to 50 mm.

In some embodiments, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article is preferably from about 38 to about 70 mm, more preferably from about 40 to about 70 mm, even more preferably from about 42 to about 70 mm. In other embodiments, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article is preferably from about 38 to about 60 millimetres, more preferably from about 40 to about 60 millimetres, even more preferably from about 42 to about 60 millimetres. In further embodiments, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article is preferably from about 38 to about 50 millimetres, more preferably from about 40 to about 50 millimetres, even more preferably from about 42 to about 50 millimetres. In an exemplary embodiment, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article is about 45 millimeters.

The aerosol-generating article preferably has an outer diameter of at least 5 millimetres. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has an outer diameter of at least 6 millimetres. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article has an outer diameter of at least 7 millimetres.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has an outer diameter of less than or equal to about 12 millimetres. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article has an outer diameter of less than or equal to about 10 millimetres. Even more preferably, the aerosol-generating article has an outer diameter of less than or equal to about 8 millimetres.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has an outer diameter of from about 5 to about 12 millimetres, preferably from about 6 to about 12 millimetres, more preferably from about 7 to about 12 millimetres. In other embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has an outer diameter of from about 5 to about 10 millimetres, preferably from about 6 to about 10 millimetres, more preferably from about 7 to about 10 millimetres. In further embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has an outer diameter of from about 5 to about 8 millimetres, preferably from about 6 to about 8 millimetres, more preferably from about 7 to about 8 millimetres.

In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the mouth endDiameter (D) of the aerosol-generating article _ME ) (preferably) greater than the diameter (D) of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end _DE ). In more detail, the ratio between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end (D) _ME /D _DE ) (preferably) at least about 1.005.

Preferably, the ratio (D) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end _ME /D _DE ) (preferably) at least about 1.01. More preferably, the ratio (D) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end _ME /D _DE ) Is at least about 1.02. Even more preferably, the ratio (D) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end _ME /D _DE ) Is at least about 1.05.

Ratio between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end (D) _ME /D _DE ) Preferably less than or equal to about 1.30. More preferably, the ratio (D) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end _ME /D _DE ) Less than or equal to about 1.25. Even more preferably, the ratio (D) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end _ME /D _DE ) Less than or equal to about 1.20. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio (D) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end _ME /D _DE ) Less than or equal to 1.15 or 1.10.

In some preferred embodiments, the ratio (D) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end _ME /D _DE ) From about 1.01 to 1.30, more preferably from 1.02 to 1.30, even more preferably from 1.05 to 1.30.

In other embodiments, the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end is between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth endRatio (D) of _ME /D _DE ) From about 1.01 to 1.25, more preferably from 1.02 to 1.25, even more preferably from 1.05 to 1.25. In further embodiments, the ratio (D) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end _ME /D _DE ) From about 1.01 to 1.20, more preferably from 1.02 to 1.20, even more preferably from 1.05 to 1.20. In other further embodiments, the ratio (D) between the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end and the diameter of the aerosol-generating article at the distal end _ME /D _DE ) From about 1.01 to 1.15, more preferably from 1.02 to 1.15, even more preferably from 1.05 to 1.15.

For example, the outer diameter of the article may be substantially constant over a distal portion of the article extending at least about 5 millimeters, or at least about 10 millimeters, from the distal end of the aerosol-generating article. Alternatively, the outer diameter of the article may taper over a distal portion of the article extending at least about 5 millimeters, or at least about 10 millimeters, from the distal end.

In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the elements of the aerosol-generating article as described above are arranged such that the centre of mass of the aerosol-generating article is at least about 60% along the length of the aerosol-generating article from the downstream end. More preferably, the elements of the aerosol-generating article are arranged such that the centre of mass of the aerosol-generating article is at least about 62% along the length of the aerosol-generating article from the downstream end, more preferably at least about 65% along the length of the aerosol-generating article from the downstream end.

Preferably, the centre of mass is no more than about 70% along the length of the aerosol-generating article from the downstream end.

Providing an arrangement of elements having a centre of mass closer to the upstream end than the downstream end results in an aerosol-generating article having a weight imbalance with a heavier upstream end. Such a weight imbalance may advantageously provide tactile feedback to the consumer to enable them to distinguish between the upstream and downstream ends so that the correct end can be inserted into the aerosol-generating device. This may be particularly beneficial where the upstream element is provided such that the upstream and downstream ends of the aerosol-generating article are visually similar to each other.

In an embodiment of the aerosol-generating article according to the invention, in which both the aerosol-cooling element and the support element are present, these are preferably packaged together in a modular package. The combined package defines the aerosol-cooling element and the support element but does not define another downstream (e.g. mouthpiece) element.

In these embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element and the support element are combined before being defined by the combined wrapper before they are further combined with the mouthpiece segment.

This is advantageous from a manufacturing point of view as it enables the assembly of shorter aerosol-generating articles.

In general, it can be difficult to process individual elements having a length less than their diameter. For example, for a 7 mm diameter element, a length of about 7 mm represents a threshold value, which is preferably not approached. However, a 10 mm aerosol-cooling element may be combined with a pair of support elements of 7 mm on each side (and potentially with other elements such as a rod of aerosol-generating substrate) to provide a 24 mm hollow section which is then cut into two intermediate hollow sections of 12 mm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the other components of the aerosol-generating article are defined solely by their own wrapper. In other words, the upstream element, the aerosol-generating substrate rod, the support element and the aerosol-cooling element are all individually packaged. The support element and the aerosol-cooling element combine to form an intermediate hollow section. This is achieved by packaging the support element and the aerosol-cooling element by means of a combined package. The upstream element, the rod of aerosol-generating substrate and the intermediate hollow section are then combined with the outer wrapper. Subsequently, they are combined with a mouthpiece element with its own wrapper by means of tipping paper.

Preferably, at least one component of the aerosol-generating article is packaged in a hydrophobic package.

The term "hydrophobic" means that the surface exhibits water-repellent properties. One useful method of determining this is to measure the water contact angle. The "water contact angle" is the angle through a liquid as conventionally measured when the liquid/vapor interface encounters a solid surface. It quantifies the wettability of a solid surface by a liquid via young's equation. The hydrophobicity or water contact angle can be determined by using tappi test method 558, and the results are presented as interfacial contact angles and reported in degrees, and can range from near zero degrees to near 180 degrees.

In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophobic wrapper is a wrapper comprising a paper layer having a water contact angle of about 30 degrees or greater, and preferably about 35 degrees or greater, or about 40 degrees or greater, or about 45 degrees or greater.

For example, the paper layer may comprise PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) or silicon. PVOH may be applied as a surface coating to the paper layer, or the paper layer may include a surface treatment comprising PVOH or silicon.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating article according to the invention comprises, arranged in linear order: an upstream element, a rod of aerosol-generating substrate located immediately downstream of the upstream element, a support element located immediately downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate, an aerosol-cooling element located immediately downstream of the support element, a mouthpiece element located immediately downstream of the aerosol-cooling element, and an outer wrapper defining the upstream element, the support element, the aerosol-cooling element and the mouthpiece element.

In more detail, the aerosol-generating substrate rod may abut the upstream element. The support element may abut the rod of aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-cooling element may abut the support element. The mouthpiece element may abut the aerosol-cooling element.

The aerosol-generating article has a generally cylindrical shape and an outer diameter of about 7.25 mm.

The upstream element has a length of about 5 millimetres, the rod of the aerosol-generating article has a length of about 12 millimetres, the support element has a length of about 8 millimetres and the mouthpiece element has a length of about 12 millimetres. Thus, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article is about 45 mm.

The upstream element is in the form of a cellulose acetate rod wrapped in a rigid rod wrapper.

The aerosol-generating article comprises an elongate susceptor element arranged substantially longitudinally within a rod of aerosol-generating substrate and in thermal contact with the aerosol-generating substrate. The susceptor element is in the form of a strip or blade having a length substantially equal to the length of the aerosol-generating substrate strip and a thickness of about 60 microns.

The support element is in the form of a hollow cellulose acetate tube and has an inner diameter of about 1.9 mm. The thickness of the peripheral wall of the support element is therefore about 2.675 mm.

The aerosol-cooling element is in the form of a relatively thin hollow cellulose acetate tube and has an internal diameter of about 3.25 mm. The thickness of the circumferential wall of the aerosol-cooling element is therefore about 2 mm.

The mouthpiece is in the form of a low density cellulose acetate filter segment.

The rod of aerosol-generating substrate comprises at least one of the types of aerosol-generating substrate described above, such as homogenized tobacco, a gel formulation or homogenized botanical material comprising particles of a botanical other than tobacco.

Drawings

The invention will be further described hereinafter with reference to the drawing of figure 1, which shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to the invention.

Detailed Description

The aerosol-generating article 10 shown in fig. 1 comprises a rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate 12 and a downstream section 14 at a position downstream of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating article 10 comprises an upstream section 16 at a position upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate rod 12. Thus, the aerosol-generating article 10 extends from an upstream or distal end 18 to a downstream or mouth end 20.

The aerosol-generating article has an overall length of about 45 millimetres.

The downstream section 14 comprises a support element 22 located immediately downstream of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate, the support element 22 being longitudinally aligned with the rod 12. In the embodiment of fig. 1, the upstream end of the support element 18 abuts the downstream end of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. In addition, the downstream section 14 comprises an aerosol-cooling element 24 located immediately downstream of the support element 22, the aerosol-cooling element 24 being longitudinally aligned with the rod 12 and the support element 22. In the embodiment of fig. 1, the upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element 24 abuts the downstream end of the support element 22.

As will be apparent from the following description, the support element 22 and the aerosol-cooling element 24 together define an intermediate hollow section 50 of the aerosol-generating article 10. Overall, the intermediate hollow section 50 does not substantially contribute to the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article. The RTD of the central hollow section 26 is substantially 0 mm H overall ₂ O。

The support element 22 comprises a first hollow tubular section 26. The first hollow tubular section 26 is provided in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube made of cellulose acetate. The first hollow tubular section 26 defines an internal cavity 28 extending from an upstream end 30 of the first hollow tubular section all the way to a downstream end 32 of the first hollow tubular section 20. The interior cavity 28 is substantially empty and thus a substantially non-limiting flow of air is achieved along the interior cavity 28. The first hollow tubular section 26, and thus the support element 22, does not substantially contribute to the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article 10. In more detail, the RTD of the first hollow tubular section 26 (which is substantially the RTD of the support element 22) is substantially 0 mm H ₂ O。

The first hollow tubular section 26 has a length of about 8 millimeters, an outer diameter of about 7.25 millimeters, and an inner diameter (D) of about 1.9 millimeters _FTS ). Thus, the thickness of the circumferential wall of the first hollow tubular segment 26 is about 2.67 mm.

The aerosol-cooling element 24 comprises a second hollow tubular segment 34. The second hollow tubular section 34 is provided in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube made of cellulose acetate. The second hollow tubular section 34 defines an internal cavity 36 extending from an upstream end 38 of the second hollow tubular section all the way to a downstream end 40 of the second hollow tubular section 34. The interior cavity 36 is substantially empty and thus a substantially non-restrictive flow of air is achieved along the interior cavity 36. The second hollow tubular section 28, and thus the aerosol-cooling element 24, substantially does not contribute to the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article 10. In more detail, the RTD of the second hollow tubular section 34 (which is substantially the same as the RTD of the first hollow tubular section)Is the RTD of the aerosol-cooling element 24) is substantially 0 mm H ₂ O。

The second hollow tubular section 34 has a length of about 8 millimeters, an outer diameter of about 7.25 millimeters, and an inner diameter (D) of about 3.25 millimeters _FTS ). The thickness of the circumferential wall of the second hollow tubular section 34 is therefore about 2 mm. Thus, the inner diameter (D) of the first hollow tubular segment 26 _FTS ) And the inner diameter (D) of the second hollow tubular section 34 _STS ) Is about 0.75.

The aerosol-generating article 10 comprises a ventilation zone 60 provided at a location along the second hollow tubular section 34. In more detail, the ventilation zone is provided about 2 mm from the upstream end of the second hollow tubular section 34. The ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article 10 is about 25%.

In the embodiment of fig. 1, the downstream section 14 further comprises a mouthpiece element 42 at a location downstream of the intermediate hollow section 50. In more detail, the mouthpiece element 42 is positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-cooling element 24. As shown in the diagram of fig. 1, the upstream end of the mouthpiece element 42 abuts the downstream end 40 of the aerosol-cooling element 18.

The mouthpiece element 42 is provided in the form of a cylindrical rod of low density cellulose acetate.

The mouthpiece element 42 has a length of about 12 mm and an outer diameter of about 7.25 mm. The RTD of the mouthpiece element 42 is about 12 mm H ₂ And (O). The ratio of the length of the mouthpiece element 42 to the length of the intermediate hollow section 50 is about 0.6.

The rod 12 comprises an aerosol-generating substrate of one of the types described above.

The aerosol-generating substrate rod 12 has an outer diameter of about 7.25 mm and a length of about 12 mm.

The aerosol-generating article 10 further comprises an elongate susceptor element 44 within the aerosol-generating substrate rod 12. In more detail, the susceptor element 44 is arranged substantially longitudinally within the aerosol-generating substrate so as to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rod 12. As shown in the diagram of fig. 1, the susceptor element 44 is positioned in a radially central position within the strip and effectively extends along the longitudinal axis of the strip 12.

The susceptor elements 44 extend from the upstream end of the strip 12 all the way to the downstream end. In practice, the susceptor element 44 has substantially the same length as the aerosol-generating substrate rod 12.

In the embodiment of fig. 1, susceptor element 44 is provided in the form of a strip and has a length of about 12 millimeters, a thickness of about 60 micrometers, and a width of about 4 millimeters. The upstream section 16 comprises an upstream element 46 located immediately upstream of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate, the upstream element 46 being longitudinally aligned with the rod 12. In the embodiment of fig. 1, the downstream end of the upstream element 46 abuts the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate rod 12. This advantageously prevents the susceptor element 44 from being removed. Furthermore, this ensures that the consumer does not accidentally contact the heated susceptor element 44 after use.

The upstream element 46 is provided in the form of a cylindrical cellulose acetate rod defined by a rigid wrapper. The upstream element 46 has a length of about 5 mm. The RTD of the upstream element 46 is about 30 mm H ₂ O。

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article comprising:

a rod of aerosol-generating substrate;

a mouthpiece element having a length L1 and comprising at least one mouthpiece filter segment formed from fibrous filter material; and

an intermediate hollow section between the aerosol-generating substrate rod and the mouthpiece element, the intermediate hollow section having a length L2 and comprising:

an aerosol-cooling element downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-cooling element comprising a hollow tubular section defining a longitudinal cavity providing a non-restrictive flow passage; and

a support element between the aerosol-cooling element and the rod of aerosol-generating substrate,

wherein the upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element abuts the downstream end of the support element, and

wherein the length (L1) of the mouthpiece element is at least 0.4 times the length (L2) of the intermediate hollow section.

2. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the length (L1) of the mouthpiece element is at least 0.6 times the length (L2) of the intermediate hollow section.

3. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the length (L1) of the mouthpiece element is at least 0.75 times the length (L2) of the intermediate hollow section.

4. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the length (L1) of the mouthpiece element is at least 2 millimetres greater than the length of the aerosol-cooling element.

5. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-cooling element has a length of less than 10 millimetres.

6. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouthpiece element is greater than 10 millimetres in length.

7. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouthpiece element comprises a mouthpiece filter segment having a length that is at least 0.4 times the length (L2) of the intermediate hollow section.

8. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, further comprising an upstream element disposed upstream of the rod of aerosol-generating substrate.

9. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the Resistance To Draw (RTD) of the mouthpiece element is less than 15 millimetres H ₂ O。

10. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the hollow tubular section of the aerosol-cooling element has a wall thickness of less than 2.5 millimetres.

11. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-cooling element further comprises a ventilation zone at a location along the hollow tubular segment.

12. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate rod comprises a gel composition.

13. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the support element comprises a hollow tubular section defining a longitudinal cavity providing a non-restrictive flow passage.

14. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of the intermediate hollow section is no more than 18 mm.

15. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, having a total length of about 45 millimetres.