EP4355133A1

EP4355133A1 - Article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system

Info

Publication number: EP4355133A1
Application number: EP22740446.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benjamin Taylor
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-18
Filing date: 2022-06-17
Publication date: 2024-04-24
Also published as: WO2022263836A1; GB202108780D0; BR112023026413A2; AU2022295134A1; KR20240019143A; CA3222656A1; IL309216A

Abstract

An article for use in an aerosol provision system is disclosed. The article comprises sections of aerosol-generating material coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the article. A cross sectional area of each section transverse to the longitudinal axis is different. Also provided is a system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article comprising sections of aerosol-generating material coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the article. The cross sectional area of each section transverse to the longitudinal axis is different. The device comprises a article receiving cavity and a heater surrounding said cavity such that, when the article is received the cavity, the heater is adjacent at least one of said sections.

Description

Article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system Technical field

The present invention relates to an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, to a system comprising the article and a non-combustible aerosol provision device.

Background

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

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an article for use in an aerosol provision system, comprising sections of aerosol-generating material coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the article, wherein a cross sectional area of each section transverse to the longitudinal axis is different.

In embodiments, the article may comprise a distal end for insertion into an aerosol generating device, and said sections may comprise first and second sections. The first section can then be at the distal end and have a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second section remote from said distal end.

The first and/or second section may have a uniform cross-sectional area in a direction extending along the longitudinal axis.

The first section may extend along the longitudinal axis for a distance greater than the distance that the second section extends along the longitudinal axis. The first and second sections of aerosol-generating material may each be formed from a different type of aerosol-generating material. Alternatively, the first and second sections maybe formed from the same aerosol-generating material. The second section of aerosol generating material may comprise a cavity or opening and the first section of aerosol-generating material may be received within, and extend from, said cavity or opening.

The article may comprise a wrapping material wrapping said first and/or second sections of aerosol generating material.

The wrapping material wrapping the first section may be different to the wrapping material wrapping the second section. The wrapping material may comprise a ferrous and/or heat-conductive material.

The wrapping material may be configured to be conductively, or inductively, heated to heat the aerosol-generating material. At least a part of the wrapping material may be permeable to air.

The wrapping material maybe a mesh, maybe perforated or may have openings.

Each of the first and second sections of aerosol generating material may have a circular cross section.

The article may comprise a mouth end remote from said aerosol-generating material, the mouth end being configured to be placed between the lips of a user when the aerosol-generating material inserted into a non-combustible aerosol provision device. A cooling segment may be located between the aerosol-generating material and the mouth end.

A filtration segment may be located between the cooling segment and the mouth end.

In accordance with some other embodiments described herein, there is provided a system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article comprising sections of aerosol-generating material coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the article, wherein the cross sectional area of each section transverse to the longitudinal axis is different, and wherein the device comprises a article receiving cavity and a heater surrounding said cavity such that, when the article is received the cavity, the heater is adjacent at least one of said sections.

The sections of aerosol-generating material may comprise first and second sections and the article receiving cavity may have a first portion to receive the first section and a second portion to receive the second section, said second portion being larger than the first portion.

The article may comprise a wrapper and the heater can be configured to heat the aerosol-generating material by heating the wrapper.

The heating element may comprise a ferrous and/or heat-conductive material to conduct heat from the heater to the aerosol-generating material. The wrapper may be a susceptor, and the heater may comprise a varying magnetic field generator to inductively heat the wrapper.

The sections of aerosol generating material may be cylindrical. The heater may comprise a tubular body such that the article receiving cavity is formed in said tubular body.

The heater may comprise a first part that is positioned alongside the first section of the aerosol-generating material when the article is received in the aerosol-generating device.

The second section may have a distal end face and the first part of the heater may be adjacent to said distal end face.

The heater may comprise a second part positioned alongside the second section of the aerosol-generating material when the article is received in the device.

The first and second parts may be configured to heat the first and second sections, respectively, to different temperatures.

The first and second parts may be configured to heat the first and second sections consecutively. The first and second parts may be configured such that there is a delay between the heating of one section relative to the heating of the other section.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Figures 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section through an article for use with a non combustible aerosol provision device according to an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a non-combustible aerosol provision device into which the article of Figure 1 may be inserted; Figure 3 is a simplified schematic of the components within the housing of the aerosol provision device shown in Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of an aerosol-provision system comprising the non combustible aerosol provision device of Figure 2 and the article of Figure 1 inserted into it.

Detailed description

As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material); non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

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

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.

In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non combustible aerosol provision device, and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device.

The disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

The terms ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ used herein are relative terms defined in relation to the direction of mainstream aerosol drawn through an article or device in use. Reference to the ‘distal end’ refers to an upstream end of the device, whereas ‘proximal end’ refers to the downstream end of the device.

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

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

The consumable comprises a substance to be delivered. The substance to be delivered is an aerosol-generating material. As appropriate, the material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/or one or more other functional materials.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.

The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12. As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint maybe chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.

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

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

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

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

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

As used herein, the term “tobacco material” refers to any material comprising tobacco or derivatives or substitutes thereof. The tobacco material may be in any suitable form. The term “tobacco material” may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may comprise one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibre, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, tobacco lamina, reconstituted tobacco and/or tobacco extract. A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/ or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise a wrapper heatable by electrical conduction, or the wrapper may be a susceptor to enable the aerosol-generating material to be heated inductively.

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

An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent maybe in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

An aerosol-generating device is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. The aerosol generating device comprises a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.

The filamentary tow material described herein can comprise cellulose acetate fibre tow. The filamentary tow can also be formed using other materials used to form fibres, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(i-4 butanediol succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)(PBAT), starch based materials, cotton, aliphatic polyester materials and polysaccharide polymers or a combination thereof. The filamentary tow may be plasticised with a suitable plasticiser for the tow, such as triacetin where the material is cellulose acetate tow, or the tow may be non-plasticised. The tow can have any suitable specification, such as fibres having a Ύ shaped or other cross section such as ‘X’ shaped, filamentary denier values between 2.5 and 15 denier per filament, for example between 8.0 and 11.0 denier per filament and total denier values of 5,000 to 50,000, for example between 10,000 and 40,000.

In the figures described herein, like reference numerals are used to illustrate equivalent features, articles or components.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a non-combustible aerosol generating article 1 for use in an aerosol delivery system 200 that includes an aerosol delivery device 100 (see Figures 2 to 4).

The article 1 has an upstream or distal end ‘D’ and a downstream or proximal end ‘P’. The proximal end P comprises a mouthpiece 2, and the distal end D comprises an aerosol-generating substrate or material 3, connected to the mouthpiece 2. In the present example, the aerosol generating substrate comprises a source of aerosol- generating material 3 in the form of a two rod-like sections coaxially aligned along the longitudinal axis X-X of the article 1. The sections of aerosol-generating material 3 comprises a first section 4 at the distal end D and a second section 5 downstream of the first section 4. The first section 4 has a cross-sectional area, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, which is less than a corresponding cross- sectional area of the second section 5.

Each section 4, 5 of the aerosol-generating material 3 may be cylindrical, in which case the diameter of the first section 4 is less than the diameter of the second section 5. The sections 4, 5 may also be of other shapes, and each section 4, 5 may have a shape that differs from the shape of the other section 4, 5. The two sections 4, 5 may also be of different lengths, with the first section 4 being longer than the second section 5 as illustrated, although the sections 4, 5 may also be of the same length.

The first and second sections 4, 5 are adjacent to each other and maybe in abutting relationship. However, the second section 5 maybe provided with a recess or hole (not shown) extending partially or fully through it coaxial with the longitudinal axis X-X’. In this case, the first section 4 may extend fully or partly into the recess or hole in the second section 5 to connect the first and second sections 4, 5 together. The first section 4 may be a snug or interference fit in the second section 5 such that once the first section 4 has been inserted into the second section 5, the sections 4, 5 are held together unless pulled apart.

Each section 4, 5 may be formed from the same or a different aerosol-generating material 3. The aerosol-generating material 3 of one or both sections 4, 5 may comprise a plurality of strands or strips of aerosol-generating material 3. For example, the aerosol generating material 3 may comprise a plurality of strands or strips of an aerosolisable material and/or a plurality of strands or strips of an amorphous solid. The plurality of strands or strips of aerosol-generating material 3 may be aligned within the aerosol-generating section such that their longitudinal dimension is in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis, X-X’ of the article 1. Alternatively, the strands or strips may generally be arranged such that their longitudinal dimension aligned is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the article 1. In the present example, the second section 5 of the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 has a circumference of about 22.7 mm. In alternative embodiments, the rod of aerosol generating material 3 may have any suitable circumference, for example between about 20 mm and about 26 mm. The first section 4 has a circumference which is less than the circumference of the second section 5.

One or both sections 4, 5 maybe wrapped by a wrapper 6. In the present example, the wrapper 6 is a moisture impermeable wrapper. As shown in Figure 1, the article 1 also comprises a mouthpiece 2 including a cooling section 7, also referred to as a cooling element 7, positioned immediately downstream of and adjacent to the second section 5 of the aerosol-generating material 3. In the present example, the cooling section 7 is in an abutting relationship with the second section 5 of the aerosol-generating material 3, and the second section 5 has the same overall diameter as the cooling section 7. The mouthpiece 2 also includes, in the present example, a body of material 8 downstream of the cooling section 7, and a hollow tubular element 9 downstream of the body of material 8, at the mouth end 2 of the article 1. The cooling section 7 comprises a hollow channel 7a, having an internal diameter of between about 1 mm and about 4 mm, for example between about 2 mm and about 4 mm. In the present example, the hollow channel 7a has an internal diameter of about 3 mm. The hollow channel 7a extends along the full length of the cooling section 7. In the present example, the cooling section 7 comprises a single hollow channel 7a. In alternative embodiments, the cooling section 7 can comprise multiple channels, for example, 2, 3 or 4 channels. In the present example, the single hollow channel 7a is substantially cylindrical, although in alternative embodiments, other channel geometries/cross-sections maybe used. The hollow channel 7a can provide a space into which aerosol drawn into the cooling section 7 can expand and cool down. In all embodiments, the cooling section 7 is configured to limit the cross-sectional area of the hollow channel/s 7a, to limit tobacco displacement into the cooling section 7, in use.

The cooling section 7 can have a wall thickness in a radial direction. The wall thickness of the cooling section 7, for a given outer diameter of cooling section 7, defines the internal diameter for the channel 7a surrounded by the walls of the cooling section 7. The cooling section 7 can have a wall thickness of at least about 1.5 mm and up to about 2 mm. In the present example, the cooling section 7 has a wall thickness of about 2 mm.

The cooling section 7 is formed from filamentary tow. Other constructions can be used, such as a plurality of layers of paper which are parallel wound, with butted seams, to form the cooling section 7; or spirally wound layers of paper, cardboard tubes, tubes formed using a papier-mache type process, moulded or extruded plastic tubes or similar. The cooling section 7 is manufactured to have a rigidity that is sufficient to withstand the axial compressive forces and bending moments that might arise during manufacture and whilst the article 1 is in use.

The wall material of the cooling section 7 can be relatively non-porous, such that at least 90% of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material 3 passes longitudinally through the one or more hollow channels 7a rather than through the wall material of the cooling section 7. For instance, at least 92% or at least 95% of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material 3 can pass longitudinally through the one or more hollow channels 7a.

In some examples, the mouthpiece 2 comprises a cavity 11 having an internal volume greater than 110 mm3. Providing a cavity 11 of at least this volume has been found to enable the formation of an improved aerosol. In examples, the mouthpiece 2 comprises a cavity 11, for instance formed within the cooling section 7, having an internal volume greater than 110 mm³, or greater than 130 mm³, allowing further improvement of the aerosol. In some examples, the internal cavity 11 comprises a volume of between about 130 mm³ and about 230 mm³, for instance about 134 mm³ or 227 mm³.

The cooling section 7 can be configured to provide a temperature differential of at least 40 degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first, upstream end of the cooling section 7 and a heated volatilised component exiting a second, downstream end of the cooling section 7. The cooling section 7 can be configured to provide a temperature differential of at least 60 degrees Celsius, or at least 80 degrees Celsius, or at least too degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first, upstream end of the cooling section 7 and a heated volatilised component exiting a second, downstream end of the cooling section 7. This temperature differential across the length of the cooling section 7 protects the temperature sensitive body of material 8 from the high temperatures of the aerosol generating material 3 when it is heated.

When in use, the aerosol-generating section may exhibit a pressure drop of from about 15 to about 40 mm H₂0. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating section exhibits a pressure drop across the aerosol-generating section of from about 15 to about 30 mm H O.

In the present embodiment, the moisture impermeable wrapper 6 which circumscribes one or both sections of the aerosol-generating material 3 comprises aluminium foil. In other embodiments, the wrapper 6 comprises a paper wrapper, optionally comprising a barrier coating to make the material of the wrapper 6 substantially moisture impermeable. Aluminium foil has been found to be particularly effective at enhancing the formation of aerosol within the aerosol-generating material 3. In the present example, the aluminium foil has a metal layer having a thickness of about 6 pm. In the present example, the aluminium foil has a paper backing. However, in alternative arrangements, the aluminium foil can be other thicknesses, for instance between 4 pm and 16 pm in thickness. The aluminium foil also need not have a paper backing, but could have a backing formed from other materials, for instance to help provide an appropriate tensile strength to the foil, or it could have no backing material. Metallic layers or foils other than aluminium can also be used. The total thickness of the wrapper 6 may be between 20 pm and 60 pm, or between 30 pm and 50 pm, which can provide a wrapper 6 having appropriate structural integrity and heat transfer characteristics. The tensile force which can be applied to the wrapper 6 before it breaks can be greater than 3,000 grams force, for instance between 3,000 and 10,000 grams force or between 3,000 and 4,500 grams force. Where the wrapper 6 comprises paper or a paper backing, i.e. a cellulose based material, the wrapper 6 can have a basis weight greater than about 30 gsm. For example, the wrapper 6 can have a basis weight in the range from about 40 gsm to about 70 gs, which can provide an improved rigidity to the rod of aerosol-generating material 3.

In the present example, the moisture impermeable wrapper 6 is also substantially impermeable to air. In alternative embodiments, the wrapper 6 can have a permeability of less than 100 Coresta Units, or less than 60 Coresta Units. It has been found that low permeability wrappers, for instance having a permeability of less than

100 Coresta Units, or less than 60 Coresta Units, result in an improvement in the aerosol formation in the aerosol-generating material 3. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesised that this is due to reduced loss of aerosol compounds through the wrapper 6. The permeability of the wrapper 6 can be measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009 concerning the determination of air permeability for materials used as cigarette papers, filter plug wrap and filter joining paper.

The body of material 8 defines a substantially cylindrical overall outer shape and is wrapped in a first plug wrap 12. The first plug wrap 12 can havea basis weight of less than 50 gsm, orbetween about 20 gsm and 40 gsm. The first plug wrap 12 canhave a thickness of between 30 pm and 60 pm, or between 35 pm and 45 pm. The first plug wrap 12 is a non-porous plug wrap, for instance having a permeability of less than too Coresta units, for instance less than 50 Coresta units. However, in other embodiments, the first plug wrap 12 can be a porous plug wrap, for instance having a permeability of greater than 200 Coresta Units.

As shown in Figure 1, the mouthpiece 2 of the article 1 comprises an upstream end 2a adjacent to the second section 5 of the rod of aerosol-generating material 3. At the proximal end, the mouthpiece 2 has a hollow tubular element 9 formed from filamentary tow. This has advantageously been found to significantly reduce the temperature of the outer surface of the mouthpiece 2 at the downstream end 2b of the mouthpiece 2 which comes into contact with a consumer’s mouth when the article 1 is in use. In addition, the use of the tubular element 9 has also been found to significantly reduce the temperature of the outer surface of the mouthpiece 2 even upstream of the tubular element 9. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesised that this is due to the tubular element 9 channelling aerosol closer to the centre of the mouthpiece 2, and therefore reducing the transfer of heat from the aerosol to the outer surface of the mouthpiece 2.

The "wall thickness" of the hollow tubular element 9 corresponds to the thickness of the wall of the tube 9 in a radial direction. This may be measured, for example, using a calliper. The wall thickness is advantageously greater than 0.9 mm, or 1.0mm or greater. The wall thickness may be substantially constant around the entire wall of the hollow tubular element 9. However, where the wall thickness is not substantially constant, the wall thickness can be greater than 0.9 mm at any point around the hollow tubular element 9, or 1.0mm or greater. In the present example, the wall thickness of the hollow tubular element 9 is about 1.3 mm. A plug wrap 13 is wrapped around the full length of the mouthpiece 2. The mouthpiece 2 and the sections 4, 5 of aerosol-generating material 3 are also wrapped in wrapper 6. The article 1 has a ventilation level of about 10% of the aerosol drawn through the article 1. In alternative embodiments, the article 1 can have a ventilation level of between 1% and 20% of aerosol drawn through the article 1, for instance between 1% and 12%. Ventilation at these levels helps to increase the consistency of the aerosol inhaled by the user at the mouth end 2b, while assisting the aerosol cooling process. The ventilation is provided directly into the mouthpiece 2 of the article 1. In the present example, the ventilation is provided into the cooling section 7, which has been found to be particularly beneficial in assisting with the aerosol generation process. The ventilation is provided via perforations 14, in the present case formed as a single row of laser perforations, positioned 13 mm from the downstream, mouth-end 2b of the mouthpiece 2. In alternative embodiments, two or more rows of ventilation perforations 14 may be provided. These perforations 14 pass though the wrapper 6 and the plug wrap 13, and cooling section 7. In alternative embodiments, the ventilation can be provided into the mouthpiece 2 at other locations, for instance into the body of material 8 or first tubular element 9. The article 1 may be configured such that the perforations 14 are provided about 28mm or less from the upstream end of the article 1, or between 20mm and 28mm from the upstream end of the article 1. In the present example, the apertures are provided about 25mm from the upstream end of the article 1. The aerosol-generating material 3 of each section 4, 5 may comprise tobacco material. The aerosol-generating material 3 may be a sheet or shredded sheet of aerosolisable material comprising a plant-based material, such as a tobacco material.

The a plant-based material material may be a particulate or granular material. In some embodiments, the a plant-based material material is a powder. Alternatively, or in addition, the tobacco a plant-based material material may comprise may comprise strips, strands or fibres of tobacco. For example, the tobacco material may comprise particles, granules, fibres, strips and/or strands of tobacco. In some embodiments, the tobacco material consists of particles or granules of tobacco material. The density of the tobacco material has an impact on the speed at which heat conducts through the material, with lower densities, for instance those below 900 mg/ cc, conducting heat more slowly through the material, and therefore enabling a more sustained release of aerosol.

The tobacco material can comprise reconstituted tobacco material having a density of less than about 900 mg/cc, for instance paper reconstituted tobacco material. For instance, the aerosol-generating material comprises reconstituted tobacco material having a density of less than about 800 mg/cc. Alternatively, or in addition, the aerosol-generating material can comprise reconstituted tobacco material having a density of at least 350 mg/cc.

The tobacco material may comprise tobacco obtained from any part of the tobacco plant. In some embodiments, the tobacco material comprises tobacco leaf. The sheet or shredded sheet can comprise from 5% to about 90% by weight tobacco leaf.

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

The sheet or shredded sheet of aerosolisable material comprises an aerosol-former material in one or both sections 4, 5. The aerosol-former material is provided in an amount of up to about 50% on a dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet. In some embodiments, the aerosol former material is provided in an amount of from about 5% to about 40% on a dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet, from about 10% to about 30% on a dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet or from about 10% to about 20% on a dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise a filler in one or both sections 4, 5. In some embodiments, the sheet or shredded sheet comprises the filler. The filler is generally a non-tobacco component, that is, a component that does not include ingredients originating from tobacco. The filler may comprise one or more inorganic filler materials, such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulphate, magnesium carbonate, and suitable inorganic sorbents, such as molecular sieves. The filler may be a non-tobacco fibre such as wood fibre or pulp or wheat fibre. The filler can be a material comprising cellulose or a material comprises a derivate of cellulose. The filler component may also be a non-tobacco cast material or a non-tobacco extruded material.

The aerosol-generating material 3 herein can comprise an aerosol modifying agent in one or both sections 4, 5, such as any of the flavours described herein. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating material 3 comprises menthol. When the aerosol- generating material 3 is incorporated into an article 1 for use in an aerosol-provision system, the article may be referred to as a mentholated article 1. The aerosol generating material 3 can comprise from o.5mg to 20mg of menthol, from 0.7 mg to 20 mg of menthol, between lmg and i8mg or between 8mg and i6mg of menthol. In some embodiments, the composition comprises an aerosol-forming “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may comprise a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some examples, the amorphous solid comprises:

- 1-60 wt% of a gelling agent;

- 0.1-50 wt% of an aerosol-former material; and

- 0.1-80 wt% of a flavour; wherein these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.

In some further embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises:

- 1-50 wt% of a gelling agent;

- 0.1-50 wt% of an aerosol-former material; and

- 30-60 wt% of a flavour; wherein these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis. The amorphous solid material may be provided in sheet or in shredded sheet form in one or both sections 4, 5. The amorphous solid material may take the same form as the sheet or shredded sheet of aerosolisable material. The aerosol-generating material 3 of either or both sections 4, 5 can comprise a paper reconstituted tobacco material. The composition can alternatively or additionally comprise any of the forms of tobacco described herein. The aerosol generating material 3 can comprise a sheet or shredded sheet comprising tobacco material comprising between 10% and 90% by weight tobacco leaf, wherein an aerosol-former material is provided in an amount of up to about 20% by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet, and the remainder of the tobacco material comprises paper reconstituted tobacco.

Where the aerosol-generating material 3 comprises an amorphous solid material, the amorphous solid material maybe a dried gel comprising menthol.

In Figure 2, the components of an embodiment of a non-combustible aerosol provision device too, according to an embodiment of the invention, are shown in a simplified manner. Particularly, the elements of the non-combustible aerosol provision device too are not drawn to scale in Figure 4. Elements that are not relevant for the understanding of this embodiment have been omitted to simplify Figure 4.

As shown in Figure 4, the non-combustible aerosol provision device too comprises a housing 101 comprising an area 102 for receiving an article 1. The area 102 is arranged to receive the article 1. When the article 1 is received into the area 102, at least a portion of the aerosol-generating material 3 comes into thermal proximity with a heater 103. When the article 1 is fully received in the area 102, at least a portion of the aerosol-generating material 3 may be in direct, or indirect, contact with the heater 103. The aerosol-forming material 3 will release a range of volatile compounds at different temperatures. By controlling the maximum operation temperature of the electrically heated aerosol generating system 200, the selective release of undesirable compounds maybe controlled by preventing the release of select volatile compounds. As shown in Figure 3, within the housing 101 there is an electrical energy supply 104, for example a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. A controller 105 is connected to the heater 103, the electrical energy supply 104, and a user interface 106, for example a button or display. The controller 105 controls the power supplied to the heater 103 in order to regulate its temperature. Typically, the aerosol-forming substrate is heated to a temperature of between 250 and 450 degrees centigrade.

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-section of a non-combustible aerosol-provision system 200 that includes the non-combustible aerosol-provision device too of the type shown in Figure 2, and the article 1 in engagement with the aerosol-generating device too for consumption of the aerosol-generating article 1 by a user.

The housing 101 of non-combustible aerosol provision device too defines an area 102 in the form of a cavity, open at the proximal end (or mouth end), for receiving an aerosol generating article 1. The heater 103 may conductively heat the wrapper 6 surrounding the aerosol generating material 3, particularly if the wrapper 6 is made from a heat-conductive material such as aluminium, which in turn heats the sections of aerosol generating substrate 3. Alternatively, the heater 103 may conduct heat directly to the aerosol generating substrate 3.

With reference to Figure 4, it can be seen that the heater 103 primarily extends alongside the first section 4 of the aerosol-generating material 3. In this arrangement, heat is primarily transferred or conducted from the heater 103 into the first section 3. Due to the proximity of the heater 103 to the distal most surface 14 of the second section 5, at least some heat may also be transferred into the second section 5. The first and second sections 4, 5 maybe heated at different rates. In other embodiments, the heater 103 may extend alongside both sections 4, 5. The heater 103 itself may also be formed from parts each of which are heated to a different temperature. Each part of the heater maybe independently controlled by a controller to heat each section 4, 5 at a different time or to a different temperature.

For example, one part of the heater 103 may be placed alongside the first section 4 to heat the first section 4 to a first temperature, and another part of the heater may be placed alongside the second section 5 to heat the second section 5 to another temperature, which may be higher or lower than the first temperature. Alternatively, the first and second sections 4, 5 may be heated consecutively, or the heating of one section 4, 5 may be started before heating of the other section 4, 5 such there is a delay between heating sections 4, 5. It maybe more desirable to heat one section 4, 5 after the other, or to different temperatures, if the aerosol-forming material 3 of the first section 4 is different to the aerosol-forming material 3 of the second section 5.

In another embodiment, the heater 103 is a varying magnetic field generator surrounding the area 102 into which the article 1 of Figure 2 is inserted. This embodiment of device too is for use with an article 1 that incorporates a wrapper 6 formed from a magnetic, electrically conductive material, so that it acts as a susceptor that is inductively heated in response to activation of the varying magnetic field, and so heats the aerosol-generating material 3 which is wrapped by wrapper 6. The control of the device too may be otherwise similar to the control described above in relation to Figure 3. It will also be appreciated that the varying magnetic field generator may have parts that generate magnetic fields at different strengths so that the sections 4, 5 of aerosol-generating material 3 are heated at different rates or to different temperatures, as previously explained above. In any embodiment, the wrapper 6, or at least a part of the wrapper 6 that surrounds the aerosol-generating material 3, maybe permeable. For example, it maybe perforated, formed from a mesh or have openings in it to allow for the passage of air and aerosol through it. In other embodiments it may be formed from a sheet of impermeable material. The wrapper 6 maybe formed from a single component or a plurality of components. For example, it could be formed from a plurality of discrete sections separated from each other in a longitudinal direction.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

Claims l. An article for use in an aerosol provision system, comprising sections of aerosol generating material coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the article, wherein a cross sectional area of each section transverse to the longitudinal axis is different.

2. An article according to claim 1, comprising a distal end for insertion into an aerosol-generating device, said sections comprise first and second sections, the first section being at said distal end and having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross- sectional area of the second section remote from said distal end.

3. An article according to claim 2, wherein the first section has a uniform cross- sectional area in a direction extending along the longitudinal axis. 4. An article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second section has a uniform cross-sectional area in a direction extending along the longitudinal axis.

5. An article according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first section extends along the longitudinal axis for a distance greater than the distance that the second section extends along the longitudinal axis.

6. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second sections of aerosol-generating material are each formed from the same aerosol generating material. 7. An article according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first and second sections of aerosol-generating material are each formed from a different type of aerosol generating material.

8. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the second section of aerosol generating material comprises a cavity or opening and the first section of aerosol-generating material is received within, and extends from, said cavity or opening.

9. An article according to any preceding claim, comprising a wrapping material wrapping said first and/or second sections of aerosol generating material. to. An article according to claim 9, wherein the wrapping material wrapping the first section is different to the wrapping material wrapping the second section.

11. An article according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the wrapping material comprises a ferrous and/or heat-conductive material.

12. An article according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the wrapping material is configured to be conductively, or inductively, heated to heat the aerosol-generating material.

13. An article according to claims 11 or 12, wherein at least part of the wrapping material is permeable to air. 14. An article according to claim 13, wherein the wrapping material is a mesh, is perforated or has openings.

15. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second sections of aerosol generating material have a circular cross section.

16. An article according to any preceding claim, comprising a mouth end remote from said aerosol-generating material, said mouth end being configured to be placed between the lips of a user when the aerosol-generating material inserted into a non combustible aerosol provision device.

17. An article according to claim 16, wherein a cooling segment is located between the aerosol-generating material and the mouth end.

18. An article according to claim 17, wherein a filtration segment is located between the cooling segment and the mouth end.

19. A system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article comprising sections of aerosol-generating material coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the article, wherein the cross sectional area of each section transverse to the longitudinal axis is different, and wherein the device comprises a article receiving cavity and a heater surrounding said cavity such that, when the article is received the cavity, the heater is adjacent at least one of said sections.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein the sections of aerosol-generating material comprises first and second sections and the article receiving cavity has a first portion to receive the first section and a second portion to receive the second section, said second portion being larger than the first portion.

21. A system according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the article comprises a wrapper and the heater is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material by heating the wrapper.

22. A system according to claim 19, wherein the heating element comprises a ferrous and/or heat-conductive material to conduct heat from the heater to the aerosol- generating material.

23 A system according to claim 22, wherein the wrapper is a susceptor, and the heater comprises a varying magnetic field generator to inductively heat the heating element.

24. A system according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein the sections of aerosol generating material are cylindrical.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein the heater comprises a tubular body, the article receiving cavity being formed in said tubular body.

26. A system according to any of claims 19 to 25, wherein the heater comprises a first part that is positioned alongside the first section of the aerosol-generating material when the article is received in the aerosol-generating device.

27. A system according to claim 25, wherein said second section has a distal end face and the first part of the heater is adjacent to said distal end face.

28. A system according to claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the heater comprises a second part positioned alongside the second section of the aerosol-generating material when the article is received in the device.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein the first and second parts are configured to heat the first and second sections, respectively, to different temperatures.

30. A system according to claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the first and second parts are configured to heat the first and second sections consecutively.

31. A system according to claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the first and second parts are configured such that there is a delay between the heating of one section relative to the heating of the other section.