CN116723777A

CN116723777A - Adjustable filter

Info

Publication number: CN116723777A
Application number: CN202280010116.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·赖特; A·R·J·罗根
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2021-01-15
Filing date: 2022-01-11
Publication date: 2023-09-08
Also published as: JP2024503407A; WO2022152696A1; KR20230132492A; US20240049792A1; EP4277479A1

Abstract

A vapor-generating article, the vapor-generating article comprising: a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the body being arranged to contain a vapor generating material; a filter having a first end arranged as a suction nozzle portion and a second end opposite the first end arranged to be attached to the first end of the body; an air inlet portion at the second end of the filter, the air inlet portion comprising at least one aperture to allow ambient air to enter the filter; wherein the filter comprises a regulator configured to move relative to the air inlet portion to adjust the cross-sectional area of the aperture to vary the airflow through the aperture; wherein the second end of the filter is releasably attached to the first end of the body.

Description

Adjustable filter

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article for use in an aerosol-generating system in which an aerosol-generating substrate is heated to form an aerosol. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to a portable aerosol-generating device that may be self-contained and cryogenic. Such devices may heat rather than burn tobacco or other suitable aerosol matrix material by conduction, convection, and/or radiation to produce an aerosol for inhalation.

Background

The popularity and use of devices (also known as vaporizers) with reduced or revised risks has grown rapidly over the past few years, which helps to assist habitual smokers who want to quit smoking in quitting traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and cigarettes. Various devices and systems are available for heating or warming an aerosolizable substance, as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

Common devices with reduced risk or modified risk are heated matrix aerosol generating devices or heated non-burning devices. This type of device produces an aerosol or vapor by heating an aerosol substrate, typically comprising moist tobacco leaves or other suitable aerosolizable materials, to a temperature typically in the range of 150 ℃ to 350 ℃. Heating the aerosol substrate (but not burning or burning the aerosol substrate) releases an aerosol that includes the components sought by the user, but not including byproducts of the burning and burning.

In such devices, the aerosol substrate is typically contained in a consumable held within a heating chamber and heated by a heater. The consumable comprises a plurality of aerosol-generating substrates and is capable of generating a plurality of aerosols.

However, within such devices, a known problem is that the user experience does not fully mimic the experience of a cigarette. In particular, HNB devices are known to provide a different inhalation experience than traditional tobacco products (such as cigarettes).

It is desirable to allow the consumer to adjust the pressure drop and temperature of the HNB device to suit the consumer's own taste and smoking characteristics.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided a vapour generating article comprising: a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the body being arranged to contain a vapor generating material; a filter having a first end arranged as a suction nozzle portion and a second end opposite the first end arranged to be attached to the first end of the body; an air inlet portion at a first end of the body, the air inlet portion including at least one aperture to allow ambient air to enter the body; wherein the filter comprises a regulator configured to move relative to the air inlet portion to adjust the cross-sectional area of the aperture to vary the airflow through the aperture; and wherein the second end of the filter is releasably attached to the first end of the body.

The regulator allows for on-demand regulation of the pressure drop of the vapor-generating article by regulating (e.g., increasing or decreasing) the size of the cross-sectional area of the air inlet aperture to allow a greater or lesser amount of air to enter the filter body. Changing the amount of air allowed into the filter body also adjusts the temperature of the vapor that mixes with the ambient air before it is inhaled by the user. In particular, the cross-sectional size of the orifice can be adjusted over a continuous range. This avoids the disadvantage of the known devices that the pressure drop is generally fixed. Thus, greater flexibility is provided in terms of control of the aerosol-generating characteristics of the article, and the pressure drop can be adjusted during an aerosol-generating session to more closely mimic the behavior of a conventional tobacco product (such as a cigarette).

Advantageously, the regulator of the vapor-generating article allows the consumer to increase the pressure drop of the vapor-generating article to suit its own taste and smoking characteristics. Some users of vapor-generating articles have known to constrict the filter section by biting or squeezing the filter section to increase the pressure drop, while others do not consider it necessary to modify the pressure drop.

Thus, producing a single standard configuration with a fixed pressure drop would not be suitable for some consumers. However, it is impractical to produce many different variations with different pressure drops (each preferred by a small portion of the consumer). Thus, a regulator is provided that allows each consumer to self-modify the pressure drop and temperature of the vapor-generating article and enhance the user's inhalation experience by providing a means for constricting the filter to regulate the size of the airflow path through the filter.

The second end of the filter is releasably attached to the body of the vapor-generating article. Thus, when a user desires to use the article, a filter may be attached to the vapor-generating article, and removed from the article when the user has consumed the matrix within the article. In this way, the filter is a reusable filter and may be used with multiple vapor-generating articles.

Typically, the vapor-generating device includes a consumable article containing a substrate and a filter attached to the consumable. Once the matrix is consumed by the user, the vapor generating device will be discarded as the consumable article is no longer usable. Since the filter is attached to the consumable article, the filter is also discarded at the same time. As a result, filters typically include simple techniques that are not costly to discard.

By providing a filter that can be releasably attached to a vapor-generating article (also referred to as a consumable article), the filter can be reused with a subsequent vapor-generating article rather than being discarded each time. For example, the filter can be used from 20 to 100 times, so that the filter can be used with 20 to 100 different vapor-generating articles before the filter needs to be replaced and discarded.

This has the effect that more complex and expensive techniques can be used within the filter, and in particular devices can be employed within the filter that can more efficiently and effectively regulate pressure drop and temperature. Illustratively, using a reusable filter that requires replacement after every 20 to 100 vapor-generating articles means that the technology within the filter can be 20 to 100 times the cost of a single-use disposable filter. Thus, releasably attaching the second end of the filter in the filter to the vapor-generating article provides a reusable filter that includes a regulator that efficiently and effectively allows a user to regulate their inhalation experience.

The regulator may be arranged to reduce the cross-sectional area of the air inlet aperture to increase the pressure drop of the air flow within the filter. The regulator may be arranged to increase the cross-sectional area of the air inlet aperture to reduce the pressure drop of the air flow within the filter. Preferably, the regulator comprises at least one aperture, wherein movement of the regulator aperture adjusts the cross-sectional area of the aperture relative to movement of the air inlet portion aperture.

The regulator may be configured to regulate a cross-sectional area of the air inlet portion aperture to an open configuration in which ambient air is able to flow into the air inlet via the air inlet portion aperture. This reduces the temperature and pressure drop of the vapor.

The regulator may be configured to regulate the cross-sectional area of the air inlet aperture to a closed configuration in which ambient air cannot flow into the air inlet portion. This allows the pressure drop and temperature of the vapor to remain relatively high.

In some examples, in the open configuration, the air inlet portion aperture may be arranged in substantially coaxial alignment with the regulator aperture such that the air inlet portion aperture and the regulator aperture substantially overlap one another. In this way, the air flow into the filter may be substantially unrestricted. Further, by arranging the two apertures so that they are substantially aligned with each other, a maximum amount of air flow may enter the filter through the air inlet portion, thereby providing a maximum reduction in pressure drop and temperature.

In the closed configuration, the air inlet portion orifice may be offset from the regulator orifice such that the air inlet portion orifice and the regulator orifice do not overlap one another. In this way, air can be substantially completely prevented from entering the filter via the air inlet portion.

Preferably, the regulator may be configured to regulate the cross-sectional area of the air inlet aperture to a partially open configuration in which the air inlet portion aperture is arranged to partially overlap the regulator aperture. In this case, the air flow into the filter is partially restricted. Having the regulator in the partially open configuration allows the user to make finer adjustments to the temperature and pressure drop, thereby allowing the user to more specifically customize his inhalation experience.

In some examples, the regulator may include a rotatable element configured to rotate relative to the air inlet portion, wherein rotation of the rotatable element regulates the cross-sectional area of the aperture. The rotating element provides a simple but effective mechanism for adjusting the cross-sectional area of the air inlet aperture. Thus, the vapor-generating article can be made from relatively simple components that are readily operable by all users.

Preferably, the regulator may be arranged to receive the filter and surround the air inlet portion. The regulator may have a sleeve-like or sleeve-like configuration. In this way, the adjuster may be arranged to slide over the filter body to encircle the outer surface of the filter.

Preferably, the adjuster may be arranged to rotate relative to the filter. This may allow the regulator to cover or uncover the air inlet aperture by rotating the regulator in order to adjust the size of the air inlet aperture.

In some examples, at least one aperture in the air inlet portion may have a substantially circular shape. In some examples, at least one aperture in the regulator may have a substantially circular shape. The size and/or shape of the at least one aperture in the air inlet portion may be substantially the same as the size and/or shape of the at least one aperture in the regulator. This may allow the two apertures to be more precisely aligned with each other, for example in an open configuration.

In other examples, the regulator may include at least one aperture that is different in size and/or shape from at least one aperture in the air inlet portion. This may allow a residual air flow into the filter when in the closed position, which may help ensure that the generated vapor is cooled slightly and then inhaled by the user so as not to burn the user's lips.

The aperture in the air inlet portion may be located in a side wall of the filter. The air inlet portion may include a plurality of apertures spaced around the side wall of the filter. The air inlet apertures may be circumferentially spaced about the outer surface of the filter. In some examples, the plurality of apertures may be evenly spaced around the filter. In other examples, at least some of the plurality of air inlet apertures may be unevenly spaced relative to each other.

The regulator may include a plurality of orifices. Preferably, each air inlet portion aperture has a corresponding regulator aperture. This may allow for adjusting the cross-sectional area of all air inlet apertures substantially simultaneously.

The filter may be made of plastic. Plastics are readily available materials, so the use of plastics can help reduce manufacturing costs. Moreover, plastic is a relatively rigid material, so the use of plastic filters provides a more structurally rigid filter.

In some examples, the filter of the vapor-generating article may be fully disposable. The filter may be made of paper. The filter may form part of a body of the vapor-generating article containing the consumable.

According to another aspect, there is provided a vapor generation system comprising a vapor generation article and a vapor generation device configured to receive the vapor generation article and generate vapor from a vapor generation material, wherein the vapor generation article is a vapor generation article according to any one of the vapor generation articles described above.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary aerosol-generating article;

FIG. 2A shows a top-down view of an adjustable filter;

fig. 2B shows a cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating article;

FIG. 3A shows a top-down view of an adjustable filter; and

fig. 3B shows a cross-sectional side view of an aerosol-generating article.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, an exemplary aerosol-generating article 1 (in the form of an elongate consumable 1) is shown positioned within an aerosol-generating device 2 for generating an aerosol.

The aerosol-generating article 1 comprises a stem portion 11 and a filter 14.

The shaft 11 includes an aerosol-generating substrate 12 extending over a portion of the length of the shaft 11. The aerosol-generating substrate 12 is arranged at an end of the aerosol-generating article 1 within the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device 2 and furthest from the opening of the heating chamber. The aerosol-generating substrate 12 is a material that generates an aerosol when heated. The aerosol-generating substrate 12 may comprise, for example, tobacco or nicotine. The aerosol is extracted from the aerosol-generating article 1 by an air flow through the filter 14.

The aerosol-generating device 2 comprises a heating chamber 21 and a heater 22.

The heating chamber 21 is a tubular structure having an interior hollow in which the aerosol-generating article 1 or the rod-shaped portion 11 of the aerosol-generating article 1 may be received. Specifically, the heating chamber includes a sidewall extending between a first end 212 and a second end 213. The first end 212 is open or openable in use to allow insertion of the shaft 11. As shown in fig. 1, the second end 213 may be open to provide an air inlet for air flow through the aerosol-generating article. Alternatively, the second end 213 may be closed to increase the heating efficiency of the heating chamber 21.

The heating chamber 21 may be formed of ceramic or metal. For example, the heating chamber 21 may be formed by bending or stamping a metal sheet. The heater 22 may be any heater suitable for delivering heat through the side walls of the heating chamber 21 into the interior hollow of the heating chamber. For example, the heater may be in the form of an electrically driven resistive track. Alternatively, other types of heaters may be used, such as heaters that provide heat through a chemical reaction such as combustion of fuel. The heating chamber may be further surrounded by insulation such as vacuum tubing, insulating fibers, and/or aerogel.

In use, the heater 22 is arranged to heat the heating chamber 21 to a temperature sufficient for the aerosol-generating substrate 12 to release the aerosol without burning the aerosol-generating article 1. In particular, the heater 22 is configured to heat the aerosol-generating substrate 12 to a maximum temperature of between 150 ℃ and 350 ℃, more preferably between 200 ℃ and 350 ℃.

Although the heater 22 is shown in fig. 1 as being external to the heating chamber 21, in some embodiments, the heater 22 may be disposed inside the heating chamber 21.

The aerosol-generating article 1 further comprises an aerosol-cooling region 15. The aerosol-cooling region 15 extends over a portion of the length of the aerosol-generating article 1 and comprises a hollow tubular portion of the aerosol-generating article 1. This hollow tubular portion allows aerosol (generated by heating the aerosol-generating substrate 12) to pass through the aerosol-generating article 1 without leaking through the sides of the hollow tubular portion. The aerosol-cooling region 15 does not overlap with the portion of the aerosol-generating article 1 heated by the heater 22 (which may be referred to as a heating region), so the aerosol is not heated further within the aerosol-cooling region 15.

As mentioned, the aerosol-substrate 15 is arranged at the end of the aerosol-generating article 1 within the heating chamber 21 and furthest from the opening 212. The filter 14 is disposed at the other end closest to the opening 212. The aerosol-cooling region 15 extends along the length of the aerosol-generating article 1 between the aerosol-generating substrate 12 and the filter 14. This ensures that in use, the aerosol produced can be cooled before being inhaled by the user.

Additional details of the filter 14 will now be described.

As can be seen in fig. 2B, the filter 14 has a first end 32 arranged as a suction nozzle portion and a second end 34 opposite the first end arranged to be attached to the shaft portion 11. An air inlet portion 36 is located at the second end of the filter, as shown in fig. 3B. The air inlet portion 36 allows air to flow from the external environment through the air inlet portion 36 and into the filter 14. Thus, the air inlet portion 36 delivers air and vents aerosol vapors within the filter 14, which are then inhaled by the user.

The filter 14 includes a regulator 38 (i.e., an adjustable opening member) configured to control air flow through the air inlet portion 36 and into the filter 14. This is achieved by making the regulator 38 movable relative to the air inlet portion 36 such that the regulator 38 can regulate the cross-sectional area of the aperture of the air inlet portion 36 to vary the air flow through the aperture.

For example, the size of the air inlet aperture may be increased from a first size to a second size to increase the air flow into the filter 14, thereby reducing the pressure drop and lowering the temperature of the vapor. Conversely, the size of the air inlet aperture may be reduced from the second size to the first size to reduce the air flow into the filter 14, thereby increasing the pressure drop and increasing the temperature of the vapor. The skilled person will appreciate that the air inlet aperture may be controlled to vary over a continuous size range such that the pressure drop and temperature may be accurately controlled by varying the size of the air inlet aperture.

In the example illustrated in fig. 3B, the air inlet portion 36 is circular and the regulator 38 is used to vary the cross-sectional area of the air inlet portion 36 to vary the amount of air that can enter the air inlet portion 36. However, it will be appreciated that the aperture 16 may be formed in alternative shapes, such as triangular, oval or rectangular.

The first size of the air inlet aperture (depicted in fig. 3B) may correspond to a condition in which the regulator 38 is in the open position and the air inlet aperture is substantially fully open. The second size of the air inlet aperture (depicted in fig. 2B) may correspond to a condition in which the regulator 38 is in the closed position and the air inlet aperture is substantially completely closed. Also, the skilled artisan will appreciate that the first size and the second size of the air inlet aperture are not intended to be limiting, and that the size of the air inlet aperture may be configured to continuously vary between the first size and the second size. In other words, the regulator 38 is configured to regulate the size of the air inlet portion orifice over a continuous range, i.e., the air inlet portion orifice is not limited to switching between only two sizes of orifice. By adjusting the size of the air inlet portion, the volumetric flow into the filter 14 may be increased as the size of the air inlet portion orifice increases.

In more detail, the regulator 38 is in the form of a sleeve or elongated sleeve arranged to receive the filter 14 such that the regulator surrounds the filter 14, as shown in fig. 2A and 3A. In particular, the regulator 28 receives substantially the entire length of the filter 14 such that the regulator 38 surrounds the air inlet portion 36. Thus, the regulator 38 may rotate relative to the filter 14 and the air inlet portion 36, and may rotate relative to the shaft portion 11. In this manner, the regulator 38 may be considered to include a rotatable element configured to rotate relative to the air inlet portion 36 such that rotation of the rotatable element regulates the cross-sectional area of the air inlet aperture.

To allow air to enter the filter 14 via the air inlet portion 36, the regulator includes at least one orifice. Thus, movement of the regulator 38 causes movement of the regulator orifice. In particular, movement of the regulator orifice relative to the air inlet portion orifice regulates the cross-sectional area of the orifice.

As discussed above, the regulator 38 is movable between an open position (shown in fig. 3B) in which ambient air is able to flow into the air inlet 36 via the air inlet portion orifice, and a closed position (shown in fig. 2B) in which ambient air is unable to flow into the air inlet portion 36. In this open position, the regulator aperture is substantially coaxially aligned with the air inlet portion aperture. In this case, the air inlet portion orifice and the regulator orifice may be considered to substantially overlap each other. In this closed position, the regulator orifice is offset from the air inlet portion orifice. In this case, the air inlet portion orifice and the regulator orifice do not overlap each other.

The regulator may be said to be in a partially open configuration when the regulator is in an intermediate position between the open and closed positions. Here, the air inlet portion orifice is arranged to partially overlap the regulator orifice.

In the example shown in fig. 3B, both the regulator aperture and the air inlet portion aperture are substantially circular. Further, as shown in the example of fig. 3B, the regulator orifice and the air inlet portion orifice are substantially the same size. However, in other examples not shown, the regulator may include at least one orifice that is different in size and/or shape from at least one orifice in the air inlet portion.

For each air inlet portion aperture in the side wall at the second end of the filter 14, there is a corresponding regulator aperture in the side wall of the regulator 38. Thus, when the regulator 38 is rotated relative to the filter, the cross-sectional areas of all of the air inlet section apertures are regulated substantially simultaneously.

In summary, the use of a filter with an air inlet regulator that can be adjusted by the user allows the air to be mixed with the generated vapor to be changed before it is delivered into the user's mouth. As the regulator 38 opens wider, more outside air mixes with the air of the vapor, which has the effect of reducing the overall temperature of the vapor and reducing the pressure drop, and vice versa when the regulator 38 is closed. The regulator 38 functions in a manner similar to a valve. The regulator 38 is opened and closed by twisting a rotatable element of the central portion of the filter that covers or uncovers a hole in the outer portion of the filter.

The filter 14 is a reusable filter 14 in that it can be detached from one rod portion 11 of the first aerosol-generating article 1 at the second end 104 and then reattached to the other rod portion 11 of the second aerosol-generating article 1 via the second end 104. In particular, any suitable temporary attachment mechanism may be used to place the filter 14 into or onto the shaft 11. Thus, the filter 14 may be considered to be releasably attached and capable of use with multiple aerosol-generating articles. In other words, the filter 14 can be said to be semi-disposable.

The filter is made of plastic, which may be of the same type as the shaft 11. The benefit of using a plastic filter is that it allows a rigid structure that can be twisted and reused by a user in multiple aerosol-generating articles 1. Because the filter 14 is reusable, it is cost effective to use a plastic body for the filter.

When the filter 14 is attached to the shaft 11, the vapor-generating article 1 is formed. In particular, the vapor-generating article 1 includes a first end and a second end, and the filter 14 is attached to the second end of the vapor-generating article 1. A first end of the vapor-generating article 1 may be used in connection with a vapor-generating device 2. In this case, a vapor generation system is formed, which includes the vapor-generating article 1 and the vapor-generating device 2 that receives the vapor-generating article 1.

It will be appreciated that the aerosol-generating device is an electronic cigarette which may also be referred to as a "heated tobacco device", "heated non-burning tobacco device", "device for vaporising tobacco products" or the like, but is to be construed as a device suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices designed to vaporize any aerosol-generating medium.

The aerosol-generating substrate 12 may comprise tobacco, for example, in dry or cured form, with additional ingredients in some cases for flavoring or to create a smoother or otherwise more pleasing experience. In some examples, an aerosol-generating substrate 12, such as tobacco, may be treated with a vaporization agent. The vaporization agent may improve vapor generation from the aerosol-generating substrate 12. For example, the vaporizing agent may include a polyol such as glycerol or an ethylene glycol such as propylene glycol. In some cases, the aerosol-generating substrate 12 may be free of tobacco or even nicotine, but may contain naturally or artificially derived ingredients for flavoring, volatilizing, improving smoothness, and/or providing other pleasing effects.

The aerosol-generating substrate 12 may be provided as a solid or paste type material in the form of a shreds, pellets, powder, granules, strips or flakes, alternatively in the form of a combination of these. Likewise, the aerosol-generating substrate 12 may be a liquid or a gel. Indeed, some examples may include both solid and liquid/gel portions. Indeed, some examples may include both solid and liquid/gel portions. In some examples, the substrate 12 may be a solid block, or may be a loose material packaged in a wrapper 13. Preferably, the substrate comprises randomly oriented tobacco filaments containing tobacco powder and aerosol former. Suitable aerosol formers include: polyols such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; non-polyols such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerol or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol.

While the aerosol-generating substrate 12 typically generates a gas or a suspension of solids and/or liquids in a gas when heated, it should be understood that the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" are generally used interchangeably herein and generally refer to a substance generated to generate a suspension of particles or droplets of any size when the aerosol-generating substrate 12 is heated.

As used herein, the term "fluid" should be understood to refer broadly to a non-solid type of material capable of flowing, including but not limited to liquids, pastes, gels, powders, and the like. "fluidized material" is to be construed accordingly as a material that is fluid in nature, or a material that has been modified to appear fluid. Fluidization may include, but is not limited to: powdering, dissolving in a solvent, gelation, thickening, dilution, and the like.

Claims

1. A vapor-generating article, the vapor-generating article comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the body being arranged to contain a vapor generating material;

a filter having a first end arranged as a suction nozzle portion and a second end opposite the first end arranged to be attached to the first end of the body;

an air inlet portion at the second end of the filter, the air inlet portion comprising at least one aperture to allow ambient air to enter the filter;

wherein the filter comprises a regulator configured to move relative to the air inlet portion to adjust the cross-sectional area of the aperture to vary the airflow through the aperture;

wherein the second end of the filter is releasably attached to the first end of the body.

2. The vapor-generating article of claim 1, wherein the regulator comprises at least one orifice, and wherein movement of the regulator orifice relative to the air inlet portion orifice regulates a cross-sectional area of the orifice.

3. The vapor-generating article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the regulator is configured to regulate a cross-sectional area of the air inlet portion orifice to an open configuration in which ambient air can flow into the air inlet via the air inlet portion orifice.

4. A vapour generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the regulator is configured to regulate the cross-sectional area of the air inlet aperture to a closed configuration in which ambient air cannot flow into the air inlet portion.

5. A vapor-generating article according to claim 3, wherein in the open configuration, the air inlet portion orifice is arranged in substantially coaxial alignment with the regulator orifice such that the air inlet portion orifice and the regulator orifice substantially overlap one another.

6. The vapor-generating article of claim 4 or 5, wherein in the closed configuration, the air inlet portion orifice is offset from the regulator orifice such that the air inlet portion orifice and the regulator orifice do not overlap one another.

7. A vapour generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the regulator is configured to regulate the cross-sectional area of the air inlet aperture to a partially open configuration in which the air inlet portion aperture is arranged to partially overlap the regulator aperture.

8. A vapour generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the regulator comprises a rotatable element configured to rotate relative to the air inlet portion, wherein rotation of the rotatable element regulates the cross-sectional area of the aperture.

9. A vapour generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the regulator is arranged to receive the filter and surround the air inlet portion, and is further arranged to rotate relative to the filter.

10. A vapour generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one aperture in the air inlet portion is substantially the same size and/or shape as the at least one aperture in the regulator, having a substantially circular shape.

11. A vapour generating article according to any of claims 2 to 9, wherein the regulator comprises at least one orifice of a different size and/or shape to the at least one orifice in the air inlet portion.

12. A vapour generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the aperture in the air inlet portion is located in a side wall of the filter.

13. The vapor-generating article of any of claims 2-12, wherein the air inlet portion comprises a plurality of apertures spaced around a sidewall of the filter, and wherein the regulator comprises a plurality of apertures.

14. The vapor-generating article of claim 13, wherein each air inlet portion orifice has a corresponding regulator orifice.

15. A vapor generation system, the vapor generation system comprising:

the vapor-generating article of any one of claims 1 to 14; and

a vapor generating device configured to receive the vapor-generating article and generate vapor from the vapor-generating material.