EP4451938A2

EP4451938A2 - Article for use with an apparatus for heating aerosolisable material

Info

Publication number: EP4451938A2
Application number: EP22838919.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gary Fallon
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-20
Filing date: 2022-12-20
Publication date: 2024-10-30
Also published as: US20260076405A1; AU2022421015A1; CN118660638A; CA3241339A1; WO2023118837A3; KR20240101704A; MX2024007486A; JP7796226B2; JP2024546613A; IL313692A; WO2023118837A2

Abstract

An article for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol generating material to generate an inhalable aerosol. In an example, the article comprises a first section defining a cavity that contains aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating material partially fills the cavity. The article is configured to receive in the cavity a heating element of the apparatus. The aerosol generating material is arranged to be displaceable within the cavity with respect to the heating element. In another example, the article comprises a first section containing aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating material comprises a plurality of pieces of material comprising tobacco. The article comprises a first plug defining a first end of the first section, wherein the first plug comprises tobacco. Also disclosed is a system comprising a heating apparatus arranged to heat aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of said aerosol generating material and an article as described above. The heating apparatus comprises at least one heater element for heating the aerosol generating material of the article when in use.

Description

ARTICLE FOR USE WITH AN APPARATUS FOR HEATING AERQSQLISABLE MATERIAL

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an article for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol generating material.

Background

Articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like bum tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release compounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called “heat not burn” products, also known as tobacco heating products or tobacco heating apparatus, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, aerosolisable material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products or a combination, such as a blended mix, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an article for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol generating material to generate an inhalable aerosol, the article comprising: a first section defining a cavity that contains aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating material partially fills the cavity, wherein the article is configured to receive in the cavity a heating element of the apparatus and wherein the aerosol generating material is arranged to be displaceable within the cavity with respect to the heating element.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material is arranged within the cavity so that movement of the article causes displacement of the aerosol generating material within the cavity so as to reposition aerosol generating material with respect to the heating element

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises a plurality of individual pieces of tobacco material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises a plurality of beads or pellets.

In some embodiments, the beads or pellets are tobacco beads or pellets.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material occupies about 80% to 95% of the volume of the cavity.

In some embodiments, aerosol generating material occupies about 88% to 92% of the volume of the cavity.

In some embodiments, the first section comprises a first blocking member that defines a first end of the cavity and, preferably, the first blocking member is a first plug.

In some embodiments, the first blocking member comprises aerosol generating material and, preferably, comprises tobacco material.

In some embodiments, the first section comprises a second blocking member that defines a second end of the cavity and, preferably, the second blocking member is a second plug.

In some embodiments, the second blocking member comprises aerosol generating material and, preferably, comprises tobacco material.

In some embodiment, the aerosol generating material in the cavity is a first aerosol generating material and the article further comprises a second aerosol generating material. The first and/or second blocking member may comprise the second aerosol generating material.

In some embodiments, the density of one of the first and second aerosolgenerating materials is at least about 25% higher than the density of the other one of the first and second aerosol generating materials. However, in other embodiments, the density of the first and second aerosol generating materials is the same.

In some embodiments, one of the first and second aerosol generating materials has a density of from about 0.1 g/cm3 to about 1 g/cm3.

In some embodiments, the other one of the first and second aerosol generating materials has a density of from about 0.4 g/cm3 to about 2 g/cm3. In some embodiments, the heating of the article provides a relatively constant release of volatile compounds into an inhalable medium.

In some embodiments, the first aerosol-generating material comprises extruded tobacco.

In some embodiments, the first aerosol-generating material comprises beads.

In some embodiments, the second aerosol-generating material comprises one or more tobacco material selected from the group consisting of lamina and reconstituted tobacco material.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second aerosol-generating material comprises a combination of lamina and reconstituted tobacco material. In some embodiments, the lamina and reconstituted tobacco material are present in the aerosol-generating material in a ratio of from 1:4 to 4:1, by weight.

In some embodiments, the first and second aerosol-generating materials have the same levels of a volatile compound. In some embodiments, the volatile compound is nicotine.

In some embodiments, the release of a volatile compound from the first and second aerosol-generating material is at the same rate when the materials reach a given temperature.

In some embodiments, the first and second aerosol-generating materials are present in the article in a ratio of from 1:10 to 10:1, by weight.

In some embodiments, the first blocking member is arranged to enable the heating element of the apparatus to extend through the first blocking member into the cavity when the article is inserted in the apparatus.

In some embodiments, the article further comprises a tube filter section.

In some embodiments, the article further comprises a cooling section and, preferably, the cooling section comprises an aerosol generating material.

In some embodiments, the article further comprises a filter section and, preferably, the filter section is at a mouth end of the article.

In some embodiments, the filter section comprises an aerosol modifying agent and, preferably, comprises a flavourant. In some embodiments, the article comprises an aerosol modifying agent release component and, preferably, wherein the aerosol modifying agent release component is a capsule.

According to the present disclosure, there is also provided an article for use in an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol generating material to generate an inhalable aerosol, the article comprising: a first section containing aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating material comprises a plurality of pieces of material comprising tobacco, wherein the article comprises a first plug defining a first end of the first section, wherein the first plug comprises tobacco.

In some embodiments, the tobacco of the first plug comprises reconstituted tobacco.

In some embodiments, article comprises a second plug defining a second end of the first section, wherein the second plug comprises tobacco and, preferably, comprises reconstituted tobacco.

In some embodiments, the plurality of pieces of material comprising tobacco comprise tobacco beads or pellets.

In some embodiments, the first section defines a cavity containing the aerosol generating material and the aerosol generating material occupies about 80% to 95% of the volume of the cavity.

In some embodiments, the article is configured to receive in the first section a heating element of the apparatus, wherein the plurality of pieces of material comprising tobacco are displaceable within the first section so as to be repositionable with respect to the heating element.

According to the present disclosure, there is also provided a system comprising a heating apparatus arranged to heat aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of said aerosol generating material and an article as disclosed herein for use with the heating apparatus, wherein; the heating apparatus comprises: at least one heater element for heating the aerosol generating material of the article when in use. In some embodiments, the heater element is arranged within a housing.

In some embodiments, the housing comprises a first opening through which the article can be inserted into the heating apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional side view of an example of an article for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol generating material;

Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional perspective view of the article of Figure 1; and,

Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional side view of an example of an apparatus for heating aerolsolisabe material with the article of Figures 1 and 2 inserted in the apparatus.

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 aerosolgenerating 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-bum 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 a plant based material, 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.

In some embodiments, 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, 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 may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.

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

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

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

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

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

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises an aerosol-generating film that is an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. The amorphous solid may be substantially non-fibrous. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid. An aerosol-generating material may also be referred to as an aerosolisable material.

An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. An aerosolgenerating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. The aerosol-generating material 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 aerosolgenerating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosolmodifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, in particular a heating element, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, comprise, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

The aerosolisable material may be present on a substrate. The substrate may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted aerosolisable material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy.

The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of 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 one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

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 aerosolgenerating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosolmodifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is illustrated an example of an article 1 (see Figures 1 and 2 in particular) for use in an aerosol delivery system that includes an aerosol delivery device. In the present example, the aerosol delivery device is an apparatus 100 (shown in Figure 3) for heating, but not burning, non - liquid aerosolisable material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosolisable material.

In this example, the article 1 is in the form of a substantially cylindrical rod that comprises four sections arranged in coaxial alignment: a first section 3 that contains a first aerosol generating material 5 (which in the present example is a non - liquid aerosolisable material 5), a tube filter section 7, a cooling section 9 and an end filter section 11.

The article 1 comprises a distal end 13 and a proximal end 15. The first section 3 is located towards the distal end 13 of the article 1 and the end filter section 11 is located towards the proximal end 15. In this example, the tube filter section 7 is located between and abuts with each of the first section 3 and the cooling section 9. In this example, the cooling section 9 is located between and abuts with each of the tube filter section 7 and the end filter section 11. In other examples, there may be a separation between any of the abutting sections shown in the example of Figure 1 and there may be more or fewer sections.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the article 1 further comprises a cover or outer housing 17 that surrounds or wraps around the four sections. The outer housing 17 may comprise any suitable material, for example, plastic or paper and may comprise one or more layers.

The proximal end 15 the article 1 is, in this example, a mouth end of the article 1 which a user inserts into his or her mouth during use.

In the example of Figure 1, the first section 3 defines a cavity 19 that contains the first aerosol generating material (herein referred to as the “aeroslisable material 5”). The article 1 is configured so that, as is illustrated in Figure 3, when the article 1 is inserted into the apparatus 100, the article 1 receives within the cavity 19 a heating element 102 of the apparatus 100.

As will be explained in more detail below, in use, a user operates the apparatus 100 so that the heating element 102 received in the cavity 19 heats the aerosolisable material 5 to volatilise at least one component of the aerosolisable material 5 to form an aerosol. When a user draws on the proximal end 15 a flow of aerosol flows through article 1, as indicated by the arrow A in Figure 1, to be inhaled by the user.

The aerosolisable material 5 only partially fills the cavity 19 and is arranged to be displaceable within the cavity 19 with respect to the heating element 102.

In the example of Figures 1 to 3, the aerosolisable material 5 is arranged so that movement of the article 1, for example, when the apparatus 100 and the article 1 are lifted towards the mouth of a user, or the article 1 is tapped, shook or otherwise moved causes a displacement of the arosolisable material 5 within the cavity 19 which repositions the aerosolisable material 5 with respect to the heating element 102.

In this way, repeated movements of the article 1 cause repeated changes in the aerosolisable material 5 that is in contact with or in closest proximity to the heating element 102 which provides for an improved user experience as compared to arrangements in which aerosolisable material is static relative to a heating element that is inserted in it.

The aerosolisable material 5 may comprise tobacco, may comprise substantially entirely of tobacco, may comprise tobacco and aerosolisable material other than tobacco, may comprise aerosolisable material other than tobacco, or may be free of tobacco. The aerosolisable material 5 may include an aerosol forming agent, such as glycerol.

As is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the aerosolisable material 5 may comprise a plurality of individual pieces of material, for example pieces of tobacco, the pieces being able to move relative to the heating element 102 when, for example, the article 1 is moved.

The plurality of individual pieces of material may comprise a plurality of beads or pellets, for example, tobacco beads or pellets. Providing the plurality of individual pieces of material in the form of beads or pellets results in a particularly efficient redistribution of the aerosolisable material 5 about the heating element when the article 1 is moved. Each bead or pellet may be, for example, substantially spherical in form and have a diameter in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm and, preferably, in the range of 1 to 2 mm.

In some examples, the volume occupied by the aerosolisable material 5 is in the range of 80% to 95% of the volume of the cavity 19. It is believed that this range provides for a good user experience because there is sufficient free space in the cavity 19 to ensure a good re-distribution of the aerosolisable material 5 about the heating element 102 when aersolisable material 5 is displaced and there is enough aerosolisable material 5 in the cavity 19 to generate a sufficient amount of aerosol. Optimal results are achieved when the volume occupied by the aerosolisable material 5 is in the range of 88% to 92% of the volume of the cavity 19.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the first section 3 may comprise a first blocking member 21 located at the distal end 13 of article 1 that defines a first end of the cavity 19. In the present example, the first blocking member 21 is a first end plug 21. The first section 3 may also comprise a second blocking member 23 that defines a second end of the cavity 19. In the present example, the second blocking member 23 is a second end plug 23.

The first blocking member 21 comprises a first body of material 21 that, optionally, is circumscribed by a first wrapper (not shown). The first wrapper may comprise, for example, paper or cardboard. The second blocking member 23 comprises a second body of material 23 that, optionally, is circumscribed by a second wrapper (not shown). The second wrapper may comprise, for example, paper or cardboard.

The first and/or second blocking members 21, 23 may be generally cylindrical. However, it should be recognised that either or both blocking member 21, 23 may have a different shape.

The article 1 may have an axial length of at least 10 mm and, preferably, at least 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 or 23 mm.

The article 1 may have an axial length of at most 36 mm and, preferably, at most 34, 32, 30, 28, 26, 24 or 23 mm.

The article 1 may have an axial length in the range of 10 to 36 mm and, preferably, in the range of 14 to 32 mm, in the range of 20 to 26 mm, or in the range of 22 to 24 mm.

The first blocking member 21 may have an axial length of at least 3 mm and, preferably, at least 4, 5, 6 or 7 mm.

The first blocking member 21 may have an axial length of at most 20 mm and, preferably, at most 15, 12, 10, or 8 mm.

The first blocking member 21 may have an axial length in the range of 3 to 20 mm and, preferably in the range of 4 to 15 mm, 5 to 12 mm, or 7 to 10 mm..

The second blocking member 23 may have an axial length of at least 3 mm and, preferably, at least 4, 5, 6, or 7 mm.

The second blocking member 23 may have an axial length of at most 20 mm and, preferably, at most 15, 12, 10 or 8 mm.

The second blocking member 23 may have an axial length in the range of 3 to 20 mm and, preferably in the range of 4 to 15 mm, 5 to 12 mm, or 7 to 10 mm.

The first and second blocking members 21, 23 may be axially spaced by a distance of at least 4 mm and, preferably, at least 5 or 6 mm.

The first and second blocking members 21, 23 may be axially spaced by a distance of at most 22 mm and, preferably, at most 20, 18, 16, 14 or 12 mm.

The first and second blocking members 21, 23 may be axially spaced by a distance in the range of 4 to 22 mm and, preferably, in the range of 6 to 12 mm. The first end plug 21 and the second end plug 23 fit tightly within the housing 17 and serve to retain the aerosolisable material 5 within the cavity 19.

In some examples, the first end plug 21 is permeable to air flow to allow air to flow into the cavity 19 when a user draws on the proximal mouth end 15 of the article

I . Optionally, the article 1 may comprise one or more ventilation holes (not shown) to allow air to flow into the article 1.

The second end plug 23 is permeable to allow a flow of aerosol to flow out of the cavity 19 and axially along the article 1 and out through the proximal mouth end 15 of the article 1 as shown by Arrow A in Figure 1.

In some examples, one or both of the first end plug 21 and the second end plug 23 comprise aerosol second aerosol generating material. For example, one or both of the first end plug 21 and the second end plug 23 may comprise tobacco, for example, reconstituted tobacco.

In some embodiments, the total weight of aerosol generating material in the article is in the range of 150 to 350 mg and, preferably, in the range of 200 to 300 mg, 220 to 280 mg, or 230 to 260 mg.

In some embodiments, the first and/or second blocking members 21, 23 comprise in the range of 7 mg per mm to 13 mg of aerosol generating material per mm length of the blocking member and, preferably, in the range of 8 to 12, 9 to 11.5, 9 to

I I, or 9.5 to 10.5 mg of aerosol generating material per mm length of the blocking member.

In some embodiments, the cavity 19 comprises in the range of 7 mg per mm to 13 mg of aerosol generating material 5 per mm length of the cavity 19 and, preferably, in the range of 8 to 12, 9 to 11.5, 9 to 11, or 9.5 to 10.5 mg of aerosol generating material 5 per mm length of the cavity 19.

In the present embodiment, the first blocking member 21 comprises aerosolgenerating material and the second blocking member 23 comprises aerosol-generating material. In the present example, the first blocking member 21 is a plug of aerosolgenerating material and the second blocking member 23 is a plug of aerosol-generating material. It should be recognised that in other embodiments, one or both of the first and second blocking members 21, 23 does not comprise aerosol-generating material. An advantage of the first and/or second blocking members 21, 23 comprising aerosol-generating material is that the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 is able to resist aerosol-generating material 5 from falling out of the cavity 19 and the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 is also able to itself generate aerosol, thereby saving space and materials in comparison to arrangements wherein a separate blocking member and further aerosol generating region are provided. Also, the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 can be provided with one or more properties that are different to the aerosol-generating material 5 in the space 19.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material of the first and/or second blocking members 21, 23 may comprise, consist of, or essentially consist of, tobacco material. As explained previously, 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.

In some embodiments, the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 additionally, or alternatively, comprises one or more aerosol-former materials. For example, the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 may additionally or alternatively comprise 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 aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 or of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 may comprise a plant based material, such as a tobacco material. The aerosol generating material may be a sheet or shredded sheet of aerosolisable material comprising a plant based material, such as a tobacco material. The plant based material may be a particulate or granular material. In some embodiments, the plant based material is a powder. Alternatively, or in addition, the plant based material may comprise may comprise strips, strands or fibres of tobacco. For example, where tobacco material is provided, 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 in the cavity 19 or of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 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.

In some embodiments, one or more or all of the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 comprise, consist of, or essentially consist of tobacco material.

An aerosol-former material may be mixed with, or otherwise added to, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23. 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.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 comprises a sheet or shredded sheet of aerosolisable material that comprises an aerosolformer material. Optionally, 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 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 may comprise a filler. 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 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 can comprise an aerosol modifying agent, such as any of the flavours described herein. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 comprises menthol. When the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 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 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 can comprise from 0.5mg to 20mg of menthol, from 0.7 mg to 20 mg of menthol, between Img and 18mg or between 8mg and 16mg of menthol.

In some embodiments, the article 1 comprises an aerosol-generating composition comprising aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material may comprise the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23.

An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosolgenerating material (for example, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23) may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.

The aerosol-generating material (for example, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23) may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material (for example, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23) is substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material (for example, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23) is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating material (for example, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23) may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be substantially non-fibrous.

The aerosol-generating material (for example, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23) may comprise or be an aerosol-generating film. The aerosolgenerating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as active substances, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film. The slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt% or 90 wt% of the solvent. The aerosol- generating film may be a continuous film or a discontinuous film, such an arrangement of discrete portions of film on a support. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet.

The aerosol-generating material (for example, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23) may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

In each of the embodiments of article 1 described herein, the article may comprise such aerosol generating material(s), and may comprise such an aerosolgenerating composition.

The aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 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 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 can comprise a sheet or shredded sheet comprising tobacco material comprising between 10% and 90% by weight tobacco leaf, wherein an aerosolformer 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 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 comprises an amorphous solid material, the amorphous solid material may be a dried gel comprising menthol.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 and/or the aerosol generating material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 comprises an extruded aerosol generating material that is then cut into beads of pellets.

In the present example, the first aerosol-generating material 5 (i.e. provided in the cavity 19) comprises tobacco beads, the aerosol generating material of the first blocking member 21 comprises a plug of tobacco lamina and/or shredded reconstituted tobacco and the aerosol generating material of the second blocking member 23 comprises a plug of tobacco lamina and/or shredded reconstituted tobacco.

In the above described embodiments, the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 comprises a plug of aerosol generating material, for example, a plug of tobacco fibres, or strips of reconstituted tobacco, or a sheet of reconstituted tobacco that is gathered into a plug. In one embodiment, the body of material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 is formed from a crimped sheet of aerosol generating material (for example, reconstituted tobacco). Apparatus and methods for manufacturing a crimped web for use in an aerosol- generating article 1 are known in the art and generally involve feeding the web or sheets between a pair of interleaved rollers that apply a plurality of parallel, equidistant longitudinally extending crimp corrugations to the web or sheet. Once crimped, the sheet or web is gathered to form a continuous rod.

In some embodiments, the body of material of the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 is formed from a sheet of material that has aerosol generating material added during casting of the sheet. For example, the sheet material may be cast from a slurry, wherein aerosol generating material (e.g. fibres, granules, pellets, beads or dust, including tobacco fibres, granules, pellets, beads or dust and/or other plant materials) is added to the slurry during casting. In other embodiments, the aerosol generating material is added to the sheet material once the sheet material has been formed. For example, aerosol generating material (e.g. fibres, granules, pellets, beads or dust, including tobacco fibres, granules, pellets, beads or dust and/or other plant materials) is adhered to the sheet material using an adhesive or is applied to the sheet material and then held within the sheet material when it is gathered into a plug. In some embodiments, the sheet material comprises a paper or gel sheet and the aerosol generating material is incorporated within or applied to the sheet.

It should be recognised that in other embodiments the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 does not comprise an aerosol generating material. For example, in one alternative embodiment the first and/or second blocking member 21, 23 comprises paper formed into a plug (for example, being crimped or cut into strips and formed into the plug), without any aerosol generating material applied to or incorporated within the sheet material of the plug. As shown in Figure 3, in some examples, when the article 1 is inserted in the apparatus 100, the heating element 102 pierces through the first end plug 21 and partially into the cavity 19. In the example shown in Figure 3, the heating element 102 extends approximately 75% of the way into the cavity 19. The heating element 102 may for example be in the form of an elongate blade or spike to facilitate piercing through the first end plug 21.

In examples in which the first end plug 21 comprises a flavour material, the heating element 102 directly heats the flavour material of the first end plug 21 to volatilise one or more components of that flavour material which then becomes part of the flow of aerosol. In examples in which the second end plug 23 comprises a flavour material, the flow of aerosol that passes through the second end plug 23 may entrain within itself one or more components of the flavour material of the second end plug 23.

In some examples, the tube filter section 7 is a hollow tube within the housing 17 that provides a cooling and filtering chamber for the heated flow of aerosol generated from the aerosolisable material 3 to cool within as it flows axially through the article 1.

In some examples, the cooling section 9 comprises

In some embodiments, the article further comprises a cooling section 9, also referred to as a cooling element. In some embodiments, the cooling section 9 is arranged such that, in use, the cooling section is downstream of the tube filter section 7.

In some embodiments, the cooling section 9 comprises an aerosol generating material and, preferably, comprises an aerosol generating material in the form of a plug. In some embodiments, the cooling section 9 comprises a flavourant.

In some embodiments, the cooling section 9 comprises a sheet material that is gathered to form a body of material.

In some embodiments, the cooling section 9 comprises aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the cooling section comprises an amorphous solid.

In one embodiment (not shown), the cooling section 9 comprises a hollow channel, having an internal diameter of between about 1 mm and about 4 mm, for example between about 2 mm and about 4 mm. The hollow channel may have an internal diameter of about 3 mm. The hollow channel extends along the full length of the cooling section 9. The cooling section 9 may comprise a single hollow channel. In alternative embodiments, the cooling section 9 can comprise multiple channels, for example, 2, 3 or 4 channels. The single hollow channel may be substantially cylindrical, although in alternative embodiments, other channel geometries/cross-sections may be used. The hollow channel can provide a space into which aerosol drawn into the cooling section 9 can expand and cool down. The cooling section 9 may be configured to limit the cross-sectional area of the hollow channel/s, to limit tobacco displacement into the cooling section 9, in use. The cooling section 9 may have a wall thickness in a radial direction. The wall thickness of the cooling section 9, for a given outer diameter of cooling section 9, defines the internal diameter for the chamber surrounded by the walls of the cooling section 9. The cooling section 9 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 9 has a wall thickness of about 2 mm.

In some embodiments, the cooling section 9 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 9; 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 9 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 9 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 rather than through the wall material of the cooling section 9. 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.

In some embodiments, the cooling section 9 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 9 and a heated volatilised component exiting a second, downstream end of the cooling section 9. The cooling section 9 can be configured to provide a temperature differential of at least 60 degrees Celsius, or at least 80 degrees Celsius, or at least 100 degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first, upstream end of the cooling section 9 and a heated volatilised component exiting a second, downstream end of the cooling section 9. This temperature differential across the length of the cooling section 9 protects the end filter segment 11 from the higher temperatures of the aerosolgenerating material 5 when it is heated.

The end filter segment 11 may comprise any filter material sufficient to remove one or more volatilised compounds from the flow of aerosol. In one example, the end filter segment 11 is made of a mono-acetate material, such as cellulose acetate. The end filter segment 11 provides cooling and irritation-reduction from the heated volatilised components without depleting the quantity of the heated volatilised components to an unsatisfactory level for a user.

In one example, the end filter segment 11 is made of a 8Y15 grade of filter tow material, which provides a filtration effect on the flow of aerosol, whilst also reducing the size of condensed aerosol droplets which result from the heated volatilised material which consequentially reduces the irritation and throat impact of the heated volatilised material to satisfactory levels.

The presence of the end filter segment 11 provides an insulating effect by providing further cooling to the aerosol flow that exit the cooling section 9. This further cooling effect reduces the contact temperature of the user’s lips on the surface of the end filter segment 11.

In some embodiment, the end filter segment 11 comprises an aerosol-modifying agent. 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 aerosolmodifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

In the present example, the end filter segment comprises one or more aerosolmodifying agent release components 25 that comprises the aerosol-modifying agent. The aerosol-modifying agent release component 25 is a capsule, but in other embodiments may be a thread or bead. The one or more aerosol-modifying agent release components 25 may be flavour component(s). In some examples, the one or more flavour components 25 comprise one or more flavoured breakable capsules or other flavour carriers within the filter material, for example, cellulose acetate tow of the end filter segment 11. In other examples, the one or more flavour components are in the form of flavoured liquids directly injected into the end filter segment 11.

In one example, the end filter segment 11 is between 6mm to 10mm in length, more preferably 8mm in length.

It should be recognised that in another embodiment, one or more of the tube filter section 7, cooling section 9 and/or end filter segment 11 may be omitted. In one such embodiment, all of the tube filter section 7, cooling section 9 and end filter segment 11 are omitted such that the first and second blocking members 21, 23 form first and second ends of the article 1.

Referring to Figure 3 in particular, the apparatus 100 comprises a housing 104 comprising a proximal end 104a and a distal end 104b. The apparatus 100 is hand- holdable by a user when the apparatus 100 is in use. The housing 104 contains a heating zone 106, for example, a heating chamber 106, in which the heating element 102 is mounted. The housing 104 comprises an opening 108 at the proximal end 104a through which the article 1 can be removably inserted into the housing 104 so that the heating element 102 extends through the first end plug 21 and into the cavity 19. The proximal end 15 of the article 1 extends outside of the housing 104 so that the proximal end 15 can be inserted into the mouth of a user when in use.

The housing 104 further contains, in this example, towards the rear of the apparatus 100, control circuitry 110 and a power source 112. In this example, the heater element 102, the control circuitry 110 and the power source 112 are laterally adjacent (that is, adjacent when viewed from an end), with the control circuitry 110 being located generally between the heater element 102 and the power source 112 though other configurations are possible.

The control circuitry 110 may include a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, configured and arranged to control the heating of the aerosolisable material 5 in the article 1 as discussed above. The apparatus 100 has a control input 114 on the outside of the housing 104 by means of which a user may switch the apparatus 100 on and off and operate the control circuitry 110 to control the operation of the apparatus 100.

The power source 112 may be for example a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include for example a lithium-ion battery, a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), an alkaline battery and/ or the like. The battery 112 is electrically coupled to the heater 102 to supply electrical power when required and under control of the control circuitry 110 to heat the aerosolisable material 5 in the article 1 as discussed above.

In each of the examples of article described above (including the article shown in Figs. 1 to 3), the article may comprise aerosol generating materials having different densities. For example, the aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 may be referred to as a first aerosol generating material and the article may further comprise a second aerosol generating material. The second aerosol generating material may also be provided in the cavity 19 (for example, in the form of beads or pellets). In another embodiment, the first and/or second blocking members 21, 23 may comprise the second aerosol generating material. In one such embodiment, the first and second blocking members 21, 23 both comprise the second aerosol generating material. In a yet further embodiment, one of the first and second blocking members 21, 23 comprises the second aerosol generating material and the other one of the first and second blocking members comprises a third aerosol generating material (which, optionally, may have the same or different density to one or both of the first and second aerosol generating materials).

The first and second aerosol-generating materials may have different densities. Otherwise, the aerosol-generating materials of the article may be the same or different. In other embodiments, the densities of the first and second aerosol-generating materials may be the same.

It has been found that providing different densities of first and second aerosol generating materials means that the higher density material heats up slower when both materials are exposed to the same heating and thus the higher density material will release its volatile compounds (e.g. nicotine) at a slower rate than the lower density material. In some embodiments, the first aerosol-generating material has a greater density than the second aerosol-generating material so that the first aerosol generating material heats up slower than the second aerosol generating material when exposed to the same heating and will release its volatile compounds (e.g. nicotine) at a slower rate than the second aerosol-generating material (however, in other embodiments the reverse may be true such that the second aerosol generating material has a higher density than the first aerosol generating material). Thus, combining aerosol-generating materials with different densities provides a more consistent and longer-lasting release of volatile compound(s). In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating materials of different densities are combined with separate heating of these materials at optionally different times and/or different temperatures, thereby allowing the provision of a more tailored release of the volatile compound(s) over the period of consumption of the article, for example Alternatively, it may be desirable to have a more rapid or greater release of volatiles towards the beginning of the consumption of the article, to provide the user with a greater initial impact from use. The capacity to control the aerosol generation and volatile compound release may be particularly advantageous because the article can be made relatively small whilst still achieving a particular desired release of volatile compound(s) over the period of consumption.

In some embodiments, one of the first and second aerosol generating materials has a density that is at least about 25% higher than the density of the other one of the first and second aerosol generating materials and, optionally, at least about 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70% or 75% higher. The said one of the first and second aerosol generating materials may have a density that is no more than about 200% higher than the density of the other one of the first and second aerosol generating materials and, optionally, no more than about 150%, 125%, 100% or 75% higher. In some embodiments, the one of the first and second aerosol generating materials has a density that is from about 25% to about 75% higher than the density of the other one of the first and second aerosol generating materials.

In some embodiments, said one of the first and second aerosol generating materials has a density of from at least about 0.4 g/cm3 and optionally from at least about 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 or 2 g/cm3. The said one of the first and second aerosol generating materialsmay have a density of no more than about 2 g/cm3 and, optionally no more than about 1.9, 1.8, 1.7, 1.6, 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, 1, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6 or 0.5 g/cm3. In some embodiments, the density of said one of the first and second aerosol generating materials is from about 0.4 to 1.99 g/cm3.

In some embodiments, the said other one of the first and second aerosol generating materials has a density of from at least about 0.1 g/cm3 and optionally from at least about 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 or 0.9 g/cm3. The said other one of the first and second aerosol generating materials may have a density of no more than about 1 g/cm3 and, optionally no more than about 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3 or 0.2 g/cm3. In some embodiments, the density of the said other one of the first and second aerosolgenerating materials is from about 0.1 to 0.9 g/cm3.

In some embodiments, the first and second aerosol-generating materials comprise the same components. Upon heating, they will therefore release very similar aerosols, potentially having the same content of active substance and/or flavour, etc. Their different densities allow the aerosol to be generated from the two materials at different speeds and/or different times during heating.

In other embodiments, the first and second aerosol-generating materials comprise different components (and may have the same or different densities). Upon heating, they will therefore release different aerosols, potentially having different makeup of active substance and/or flavour, etc. Their different densities allow the different aerosols to be generated from the two materials at different speeds and/or different times during heating, potentially providing an aerosol that changes over the period of use.

In some embodiments, the first aerosol-generating material and the second aerosol-generating material each comprise tobacco. The tobacco will contain volatile components including nicotine, aromas and flavours. The tobacco may be any type of tobacco and any part of the tobacco plant, including tobacco leaf, lamina, stem, stalk, ribs, scraps and shorts or mixtures of two or more thereof. Suitable tobacco materials include the following types: Virginia or flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, or blends of tobacco materials, optionally including those listed here. The tobacco may be expanded, such as dry-ice expanded tobacco (DIET), or processed by any other means. In some embodiments, the tobacco material may be reconstituted tobacco material. The tobacco may be pre-processed or unprocessed, and may be, for instance, solid stems (SS); shredded dried stems (SDS); steam treated stems (STS); or any combination thereof. The tobacco material may be fermented, cured, uncured, toasted, or otherwise pre-treated.

The first and second aerosol-generating materials may comprise different tobacco. Alternatively, the tobacco may be the same, but is provided in a different form, so that one of the first and second aerosol-generating materials has a greater density than the other one of the first and second aerosol-generating materials.

In some embodiments, the first aerosol-generating material has at least one (further) different characteristic to the second aerosol generating material. The different characteristic may be one or more of form, size, , water content, amount (by weight), material or materials, or proportion of materials that make the first and second aerosolgenerating materials (including the recipe of the aerosol generating materials when each is manufactured from more than one material). In some embodiments, the first and second aerosol-generating materials do not have a different characteristic, other than their different densities. In other embodiments, the densities are the of the first and second aerosol generating materials is the same.

In some embodiments, the second aerosol-generating material comprises one or more tobacco in the form of cut rag. This tobacco material may lamina or reconstituted tobacco material. In some embodiments, the second aerosol-generating material is a blend comprising both lamina and reconstituted tobacco. For example, the ratio of lamina and reconstituted tobacco may from about 1:4 to about 4:1.

In some embodiments, the first aerosol-generating material has a greater density than the second aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, this more dense, first aerosol-generating material comprises particles or may be in the form of beads or one or more sheets (for example, beads 5 in the cavity 19). Each bead or sheet may be formed from smaller particles that have been agglomerated. However, it should be recognised that in other embodiments, the second aerosol-generating material may be denser than the first aerosol generating material and, for example, may be in the form of beads or one or more sheets. In some embodiments, the both of the first and second aerosol generating materials may be in the form of beads or one or more sheets and, optionally, may be processed such that one of the first and second aerosol generating materials has a higher density than the other one of the first and second aerosol generating materials. As used herein, the term “beads” is meant to include beads, pellets, or other discrete small units that have been shaped, moulded, compressed or otherwise fashioned into a desired shape. The beads may have smooth, regular outer shapes (e.g., spheres, cylinders, ovoids, etc.) and/or they may have irregular outer shapes.

In some embodiments, the beads have a diameter (for example, as measured by sieving) of at least about 0.5 mm and, optionally at least about 1, 1.5, 2. 2.5 or 3 mm. The beads may have a diameter (for example, as measured by sieving) of no more than about 5 mm and, optionally no more than about 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2 or 1.5 mm. In some embodiments, the diameter of each bead may range from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 2 mm. The size of the beads may refer to their average size, such as the number or volume mean size.

In some embodiments, the desired density of the aerosol-generating material is achieved or controlled through the formulation of the material and/or the method(s) by which the material is processed. Processes involving agglomeration, and especially agglomeration with the application of some of compressive forces will tend to increase the density of the material.

Thus, in some embodiments, the first and/or second aerosol-generating material comprises particles of material that are agglomerated.

In the case of a sheet material, the sheet may be formed from particles of material that are bound and optionally compressed to form a sheet with the desired dimensions and density.

In some embodiments, beads or pellets can be formed using a so called marumarising process.

In some embodiments, the agglomeration is by pelletisation. Pelletisation is an agglomeration process that converts fine particles of material, optionally together with excipient, into free-flowing units, referred to as pellets. Depending on the type of equipment and processes selected, pellet formation and growth may occur in a number of ways. These pellets may be formed by agitation and as the particles are rolled and tumbled in the presence of appropriate quantities of a liquid, agglomerates are formed. Balling may involve the use of apparatus such as pans, discs, drums or mixers to produce pellets. Compaction pelletisation is a form of pressure agglomeration, in which the particles are forced together by a mechanical force, optionally with formulation aids. The compressive forces mean that the pellets formed have increased density compared to the starting material.

In some embodiments, the agglomeration is by extrusion. In some embodiments, pellets formed by pelletisation may be extruded to form higher density extrudates.

The particles to be extruded may have a size selected to produce a more dense aerosol-generating material (e.g. a more dense first or second aerosol generating material), which will have an impact on the heat transfer within the material and the release of the volatile components.

Extrusion involves feeding a composition (also referred to as a precursor composition) through a die to produce an extruded product. The process applies pressure to the composition combined with shear forces.

Extrusion may be performed using one of the main classes of extruders: screw, sieve and basket, roll, ram and pin barrel extruders. A single screw or twin screw extruder may be used. Forming the tobacco beads by extrusion has the advantage that this processing combines compression, mixing, conditioning, homogenizing and moulding of the composition.

In some embodiments, during extrusion the free-flowing composition comprising particles, such as tobacco particles, is exposed to elevated pressure and temperature and is forced though an orifice, such as a shaping nozzle or die, to form an extrudate. In some embodiments, the extrudate has a rod-like form and it may be cut into segments of a desired length.

In some embodiments, the composition is exposed to temperatures from about 40°C to about 150°C, or from about 80°C to about 130°C, or from about 60°C to about 95°C within the extruder. In some embodiments, including those using double extrusion, the precursor composition is exposed to temperatures from about 70°C to about 95°C within the extruder. In some embodiments, including those using single extrusion, the precursor composition is exposed to temperatures from about 60°C to about 80°C within the extruder.

The composition may be exposed to pressures (immediately before the die or nozzle) ranging from about 2 bar to about 100 bar, or from about 5 bar to about 60 bar, depending on the design of the die or nozzle being used. The higher the pressure, the greater the density of the extrudate is likely to be. Thus, the extrusion process may be adjusted to provide extruded aerosol-generating material with the desired density.

In some embodiments where tobacco particles are extruded, due to the relatively high density of the extrudate and the relatively open surface of the tobacco particles within it, the tobacco beads formed from the extrudate exhibit good heat transfer and mass transfer, which has a positive impact on the release of tobacco constituents, such as flavours and nicotine.

In some embodiments, the extrusion may be a generally dry process, with the composition including aerosol generating particles that are dry or substantially dry. The composition may optionally include other particulate materials including, for example, base, diluent, solid aerosol forming agents, solid flavour modifiers, etc.

In some embodiments, liquids may be added to the composition prior to or during the extrusion process. For example, water may be added, for example as a processing aid to assist dissolution or solubilisation of components of the composition, or to aid binding or agglomeration. Alternatively or additionally, a wetting agent may be added to the composition.

In some embodiments, the liquid may be an aerosol former material such as glycerol or others discussed herein. When liquid is added to the composition in this manner, the liquid is applied not only on the surface, but, as a result of the extruder pressure combined with the intensive mixing by high shear forces, the extrudate becomes impregnated with the liquid. Where the liquid is an aerosol former material, this can result in a high availability of the aerosol former material in the resultant beads to enhance evaporation of volatile components.

In some embodiments, the amount of aerosol former material incorporated into the extruded beads may be up to about 30% by weight and even up to about 40% by weight. Ordinarily, such high amounts of aerosol former material could render the composition difficult to handle. However, this is less of an issue where extrusion results in the particles being impregnated with the aerosol former material. It may be desirable to include an aerosol former material in an amount such as at least about 10% or at least about 20% by weight where the beads are to generate an aerosol in addition to releasing the volatile components. Smaller amounts of aerosol former material, such as up to about 5% by weight, may be sufficient where the beads’ primary function is to release volatile constituents carried by the beads into an existing aerosol or air flow.

In some embodiments, the agglomerates do not include a binder or binding additive. For example, extruded beads may not require a binder to maintain their structural integrity. In other embodiments, the agglomerates comprise a binder or binding additive. The binding additive may be selected to assist in the formation of an agglomerated structure by helping to adhere the particles to each other and to other components in the composition. Suitable binding additives include, for example, thermoreversible gelling agents such as gelatin, starches, polysaccharides, pectins, alginates, wood pulp, celluloses, and cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethylcellulose.

In some embodiments, processing by extrusion is sufficient to provide the higher density of the first or second aerosol-generating material, where desired. However, in other embodiments, the extrudate may be further treated to increase the density of the first or second aerosol-generating material.

For example, in some embodiments, the extruded aerosol-generating material undergoes spheronisation. In spheronisation, the extruded, cylindrically shaped particles are broken into uniform lengths and are gradually transformed into spherical shapes due to plastic deformation. Where the extrudate is first broken into uniform lengths, spheres with a uniform diameter will be produced by the spheronisation step.

According to one specific example of the embodiments discussed herein, samples of the first aerosol-generating material were produced as follows (but note that in some embodiments samples may be produced according to the below, which are instead used for the second aerosol generating material). In some embodiments, the samples of the first aerosol generating material could be used as aerosol generating material 5 in the cavity 19 of any of the embodiments of the article described herein. Three sample formulations with and without binders are shown in Table 1, with the amounts indicated as percent wet weight basis (WWB).

Table 1

The tobacco was ground to produce a fine powder, taking care not to overheat the tobacco. The ground tobacco particles were sieved to select those with a desired size, for example a particle size of less than 250 pm, of less than 100 pm or less than 60 pm.

Next, all of the dry (non-liquid) components of the formulation were combined and mixed or blended in a mixer. In this particular instance, the mixture was mixed for 1 minute at a speed to 75 RPM. This was to ensure that the dry components are homogenously distributed within the mixture.

Next, half of the glycerol and half of the water were added to the dry mixture and mixed. Specifically, the mixture was mixed for a further minute at 75 RPM. The remaining glycerol and water was then added and mixed, again for 1 minute at 75 RPM. Then, to ensure that a homogenous mixture was achieved, mixing was continued until the mixture had a crumbly consistency that could be squeezed into a mass. In this specific instance, the additional mixing lasted 3 minutes.

The mixture was then extruded using a Caleva Multilab. The extruder was operated at approximately 1500 rpm to produce lengths of extrudate resembling spaghetti. The extrudate was broken into pieces of varying length as it came out of the extruder. These pieces were then spheronised. Spheronisation was carried out until spherical beads were formed. In this instance, the extrudate was initially spheronised in a Caleva Multilab operating at 2,500 RPM for 1 minute and then the beads were checked for any defects. Then, spheronisation continued for a further 1 to 2 minutes. This spheronisation step broke the extruded tobacco into the individual pieces and formed the dense, spherical beads.

In a final step, the spheronised beads were dried in an oven at 65°C for 30 minute periods. After each drying period, the beads were weighed and drying was halted when the desired moisture weight loss was achieved. Generally, such drying will take about 1 hour.

In some embodiments, the other one of the first and/or second aerosolgenerating material is in the form of discrete particles, or in the form of an agglomerated body of particles. These particles may share various characteristics with the (denser) one of the first and second aerosol-generating material, such as particle size, but will have a lower density. As described above, there are various ways to adjust the density of the aerosol-generating material, such as the formulation and/or the processing of the material into particles, beads or pellets.

In some embodiments, the less dense first and second aerosol-generating materials comprises a combination of 60% reconstituted tobacco and 40% lamina tobacco, with the density of this material being in the range of from about 0.1 to about 0.9 g/cm³. The more dense first and second aerosol-generating materials comprises from about 30 to about 90% tobacco, with a density in the range of from about 0.4 to about 1.99 g/cm³. The amount of aerosol forming material included in the first and/or second aerosol-generating materials may be from about 8 to about 15%. The first and/or second aerosol-generating materials may comprise largely spherical beads with a particle size between about 0.5 and about 3 mm. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material in an article comprises approximately 50% of the first aerosolgenerating material and about 50% of the second aerosol-generating material, by weight. Thus, for example, an article comprising 260 mg of aerosol-generating material may comprise 130 mg of the first aerosol-generating material and 130 mg of the second aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments where the aerosol-generating material comprises tobacco, the tobacco is present in an amount of between about 10% and about 90% by weight of the aerosol generating material.

In some embodiments, the tobacco may be present in an amount of at least about 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, or at last about 35% tobacco based on the weight of the aerosol generating material.

In some embodiments, the tobacco may be present in an amount of no more than about 90%, 89%, 88%, 87%, 86%, 85%, 84%, 83%, 82%, 81%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, or no more than about 40% tobacco based on the weight of the aerosol generating material.

The tobacco described herein may contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the nicotine content is from 0.5 to 2% by weight of the tobacco, and may be, for example, from 0.5 to 1.75% by weight of the tobacco, from 0.8 to 1.2% by weight of the tobacco or from about 0.8 to about 1.75% by weight of the tobacco. In some embodiments, the nicotine content may be from 0.8 to 1% by weight of the tobacco.

In some embodiments, the first and second aerosol-generating materials have the same nicotine content.

In some embodiments, the first and second aerosol-generating materials comprise one or more volatile components. In some embodiments, the first and second aerosol-generating materials have the same volatile component content.

In some embodiments, the first and/or second aerosol-generating materials comprise tobacco. For example, the first and/or second aerosol-generating materials may comprise from about 80 to about 350 mg of tobacco. In some specific embodiments, the aerosol-generating material in an article or consumable has a weight of 260 mg, comprising a combination of 130 mg of a second aerosol-generating material, for example comprising a blend of lamina and reconstituted tobacco, and 130 mg of a first aerosol-generating material, for example comprising higher density tobacco beads.

In some embodiments, the article comprises regions of aerosol-generating material, wherein each region comprises aerosol-generating material contain an equal amount of tobacco. In alternative embodiments, the regions may contain different amounts of tobacco. Where the total amount of tobacco is from about 80 to about 350 mg, one region of aerosol-generating material comprises from about 20 to about 330 mg, or from about 50 to about 300 mg, or from about 40 to about 125 mg of tobacco and the other region of aerosol-generating material comprises from about 20 to about 330 mg, or from about 30 to about 300 mg or from about 40 to about 125 mg of tobacco.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration and example various embodiments in which the claimed invention may be practised and which provide for a superior article for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed and otherwise disclosed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure 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 and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist in essence of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. The disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An article for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol generating material to generate an inhalable aerosol, the article comprising: a first section defining a cavity that contains aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating material partially fills the cavity, wherein the article is configured to receive in the cavity a heating element of the apparatus and wherein the aerosol generating material is arranged to be displaceable within the cavity with respect to the heating element.

2. The article according to claim 1 wherein the aerosol generating material is arranged within the cavity so that movement of the article causes displacement of the aerosol generating material within the cavity so as to reposition aerosol generating material with respect to the heating element

3. The article according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the aerosol generating material comprises a plurality of individual pieces of aerosol generating material and, preferably individual pieces of tobacco material.

4. The article according to claim 3 wherein the aerosol generating material comprises a plurality of beads or pellets.

5. The article according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generating material occupies about 80% to 95% of the volume of the cavity.

6. The article according to claim 5 wherein aerosol generating material occupies about 88% to 92% of the volume of the cavity.

7. The article according to any preceding claim wherein the first section comprises a first blocking member that defines a first end of the cavity and, preferably, the first blocking member is a first plug.

8. The article according to claim 7 wherein the first blocking member comprises aerosol generating material and, preferably, comprises tobacco material.

9. The article according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the first section comprises a second blocking member that defines a second end of the cavity and, preferably, the second blocking member is a second plug.

10. The article according to claim 9 wherein the second blocking member comprises aerosol generating material and, preferably, comprises tobacco material.

11. The article according to any of claims 7 to 10 wherein the first blocking member is arranged to enable the heating element of the apparatus to extend through the first blocking member into the cavity when the article is inserted in the apparatus.

12. The article according to any preceding claim wherein the article further comprises a tube filter section.

13. The article according to any preceding claim wherein the article further comprises a cooling section and, preferably, the cooling section comprises an aerosol generating material.

14. The article according to any preceding claim further comprising a filter section and, preferably, the filter section is at a mouth end of the article.

15. The article according to claim 14 wherein the filter section comprises an aerosol modifying agent and, preferably, comprises a flavourant.

16. The article according to claim 15 comprising an aerosol modifying agent release component that comprises the aerosol modifying agent and, preferably, wherein the aerosol modifying agent release component is a capsule.

17. An article for use in an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol generating material to generate an inhalable aerosol, the article comprising: a first section containing aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating material comprises a plurality of pieces of material comprising tobacco, wherein the article comprises a first plug defining a first end of the first section, wherein the first plug comprises tobacco.

18. An article according to claim 17, wherein the tobacco of the first plug comprises reconstituted tobacco.

19. The article according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the article comprises a second plug defining a second end of the first section, wherein the second plug comprises tobacco and, preferably, comprises reconstituted tobacco.

20. The article according to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the plurality of pieces of material comprising tobacco comprise tobacco beads or pellets.

21. The article according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the first section defines a cavity containing the aerosol generating material and the aerosol generating material occupies about 80% to 95% of the volume of the cavity.

22. The article according to claim 21 wherein aerosol generating material occupies about 88% to 92% of the volume of the cavity.

23. The article according to any of claims 17 to 22 wherein the article is configured to receive in the first section a heating element of the apparatus, wherein the plurality of pieces of material comprising tobacco are displaceable within the first section so as to be repositionable with respect to the heating element.

24. A system comprising a heating apparatus arranged to heat aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of said aerosol generating material and an article according to any of claims 1 to 23 for use with the heating apparatus, wherein; the heating apparatus comprises: at least one heater element for heating the aerosol generating material of the article when in use.

25. A system according to claim 24 wherein the housing comprises a first opening through which the article can be inserted into the heating apparatus.