EP4663034A1

EP4663034A1 - Article

Info

Publication number: EP4663034A1
Application number: EP24181433.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Richard Hepworth; Dominic Woodcock
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2024-06-11
Filing date: 2024-06-11
Publication date: 2025-12-17
Also published as: WO2025257544A1

Abstract

An article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device. The article comprises an aerosol-generating section 30 having a first axial end 4 and a second axial end 5. The aerosol-generating section 30 comprises aerosol-generating material 3. An outer wrapper 6, 106A, 106B, 206A, 206B, 206, 306, 406 at least partially surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30. The outer wrapper comprises at least one window 7, 107, 207, 217A 217B, 317A, 317B. At least part of the aerosol-generating material 3 is visible through the at least one window.

Description

Technical field

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

Background

It is known to provide articles for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and for the articles to comprise aerosol-generating material.

Summary

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the article comprising an aerosol-generating section having a first axial end and a second axial end, wherein the aerosol-generating section comprises aerosol-generating material, and an outer wrapper which at least partially surrounds the aerosol-generating section, wherein the outer wrapper comprises at least one window, wherein at least part of the aerosol-generating material is visible through the at least one window.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the article comprising an aerosol-generating section having a first axial end and a second axial end, wherein the aerosol-generating section comprises aerosol-generating material, the article further comprising a layer which at least partially surrounds the aerosol-generating section, the layer comprising a visual indicator for a user to identify the article and/or for a user to identify if the article has been used, and an outer wrapper which at least partially surrounds the layer and the aerosol-generating section, wherein the outer wrapper comprises at least one window, wherein at least part of the visual indicator is visible through the at least one window.
The at least one window may extend across at least 1 mm.
The at least one window may comprise a window provided between the first axial end and the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section. The window may be centrally-located between the first axial end and the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
The outer wrapper may at least partially cover the first axial end and/or at the second end axial of the aerosol-generating section. The at least one window may comprise a window provided in the outer wrapper on the axial face at the first axial end and/or a window provided on the axial face at the second axial end.
The outer wrapper may comprise tipping paper. The outer wrapper may be opaque. The at least one window may be formed by a hole in the outer wrapper or a transparent section in the outer wrapper.
The outer wrapper may comprise a first part and a second part, and wherein the first part of the outer wrapper at least partially surrounds the aerosol-generating section towards the first axial end, and the second part of the outer wrapper at least partially surrounds the aerosol-generating section towards the second axial end, and wherein the at least one window comprises a window formed by a separation between the first part of the outer wrapper and the second part of the outer wrapper.
The article may further comprise a second wrapper which at least partially surrounds the aerosol-generating section, wherein the outer wrapper surrounds the second wrapper.
The second wrapper may be transparent or translucent. The second wrapper may comprise a shine-through paper. The second wrapper may comprise an air permeable section which is aligned with the at least one window for allowing air to flow through the second wrapper and the at least one window.
The article may further comprise a first segment at the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section. The article may further comprise a second segment at the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section. The first segment may at least partially cover the first axial end. The second segment may at least partially covers the second axial end.
The first segment may comprise a first body of material. The second segment may comprise a second body or material. The outer wrapper may circumscribe the first segment. The outer wrapper may additionally or alternatively circumscribe the second segment.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-generating material may comprise a rod of aerosol-generating material. The at least one window may provide an air permeable section for allowing air to flow through the window in use.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol former in an amount of greater than 10% by weight of the aerosol-generating material.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise a sheet of aerosol-generating material which is visible through the at least one window. The sheet of aerosol generating material may comprise a tobacco material and/or an organic material.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article as described herein. The non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise an aerosol generator for heating the aerosol-generating material to release the aerosol therefrom.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be a rod of aerosol-generating material.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise tobacco and/or nicotine. The aerosol-generating material may be a rod of aerosol-generating material.

Brief description of the drawings

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

Fig. 1A shows a first example of an article;
Fig. 1B shows a view of the example of Fig. 1A with the outer wrapper partly removed therefrom;
Fig. 1C shows a cross-section through the article along line A-A from Fig. 1A;
Fig 1D shows a cross-section through the article of Fig. 1A;
Fig. 2A shows another example of an article;
Fig. 2B shows a cross-section through the article of Fig. 2A
Fig. 3A shows a further example of an article;
Fig. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the article of Fig. 3A;
Fig. 4A shows a further example of an article with the outer wrapper partly removed therefrom;
Fig. 4B shows the example of Fig. 4A with the outer wrapper on the article, from a first perspective;
Fig. 4C shows the example of Fig. 4A with the outer wrapper on the article, from a second perspective;
Fig. 4D shows a modified version of the example of Figs. 4A to 4C;
Fig. 5A shows a further example of an article with the outer wrapper partly removed therefrom;
Fig. 5B shows the example of Fig. 5A with the outer wrapper on the article, from a first perspective;
Fig. 5C shows the example of Fig. 5A with the outer wrapper on the article, from a second perspective;
Fig. 6A shows a further example of an article with the outer wrapper partly removed therefrom;
Fig. 6B shows the example of Fig. 6A with the outer wrapper on the article, from a first perspective;
Fig. 6C shows a modified version of the example of Figs. 6A and 6B;
Fig. 7A shows an exploded view of an example of a system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article;
Fig. 7B shows an assembled view of the system of Fig. 7A;
Fig. 7C shows a cross-sectional view through part of Fig. 7B; and
Fig. 8 is a further example of a system comprising a non-combustible aerosol-provision device, and an article.

Detailed description

Figs. 1A to 1D show an example of an article 1 for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device. The article 1 extends between a first article axial end 11 and a second article axial end 12. The first article axial end 11 is a free end of the article. The second article axial end 12 is a free end of the article. The article 1 comprises an aerosol-generating section 30 which extends between a first axial end 4 and a second axial end 5, which can be seen in Fig. 1B in which the outer wrapper has been partly removed. The aerosol-generating section 30 comprises aerosol-generating material 3.
The article 1 has an axis 8. The aerosol-generating material 3 is in the form of a rod of aerosol-generating material. The rod of aerosol-generating material extends along the axis 8. A first segment 9 is located between the first axial end 4 of the aerosol generating section 30 and the first article axial end 11. A second segment 10 is located between the second axial end 5 of the aerosol generating section 30 and the second article axial end 12.
The first segment 9 abuts the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section. The second segment 10 abuts the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section. The first segment 9 extends between the first article axial end 11 and the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section 30. The second segment 10 extends between the second article axial end 12 and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section.
It will be appreciated that in other embodiments there may be a separation between the first segment 9 and the aerosol-generating section 30 and/or between the second segment 10 and the aerosol-generating section 30. Additionally or alternatively, there may be an additional component between the first segment 9 and the first article axial end 11, and/or an additional component between the second segment 10 and the second article axial end 12. In another embodiment the first segment 9 and/or the second segment 10 may not be present in the article.
The outer wrapper 6 surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30 around the axis 8. The outer wrapper 6 extends from the first axial end 4 to the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section. The outer wrapper 6 further circumscribes the first segment 9 and the second segment 10. The outer wrapper extends to the first end 11 of the article and the second end 12 of the article. The outer wrapper 6 circumscribes the first wrapper 1001 and the second wrapper 1002, which are discussed in more detail below. In another embodiment, the outer wrapper 6 does not circumscribe the first segment 9 and/or the second segment 10.
The outer wrapper 6 comprises tipping paper. The outer wrapper 6 is opaque. In another embodiment, the outer wrapper 6 may be formed from a different material or the outer wrapper 6 may not extend to the first end 11 of the article and/or to the second end 12 of the article.
The first segment 9 comprises a first body of material 52. The second segment 10 comprises a second body of material 53.
The first body of material 52 abuts the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section. The second body of material 53 abuts the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section.
The first body of material 52 covers the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating material. This may assist in maintaining the aerosol-generating material 3 within the article. The second body of material 53 covers the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section. The first and second bodies of material 52, 53 fully cover the first and second axial ends 4, 5 of the aerosol-generating section 30 respectively.
Alternatively, the first body of material 52 may include an internal channel in the first body of material and/or the second body of material 53 may include an internal channel in the second body of material so that the first and second bodies of material partially cover the first and second axial ends of the aerosol generating section 30.
In alternative embodiments there may be a separation between the first body of material 52 and the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section and/or a separation between the second body of material 53 and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section.
The first body of material 52 is formed by sheet material such as paper, bandcast tobacco or cellulose-based material. The sheet material is crimped and/or gathered to form the first body of material 52. Alternatively or additionally, the first body of material 52 may be formed from shredded or cut strips of the sheet material. Alternatively, the first body of material 52 may be formed from a cellulose-based material such as wood pulp or cotton.
The second body of material 53 is formed by sheet material such as paper, bandcast tobacco or cellulose-based material. The sheet material is crimped and/or gathered to form the second body of material 53. Alternatively or additionally the second body of material 53 may be formed from shredded or cut strips of the sheet material. Alternatively, the second body of material 53 may be formed from a cellulose-based material such as wood pulp or cotton.
The first segment 9 has a first wrapper 1001 which circumscribes the first body of material 52. The second segment 10 has a second wrapper 1002 which circumscribes the second body of material 53. In alternative embodiments, the first and second wrappers 1001, 1002 may be omitted.
Alternatively, the first body of material 52 may be formed from cellulose acetate tow. The second body of material 53 may be formed from cellulose acetate tow. The first segment 9 and the second segment 10 may be the same or different to each other. The first segment 9 may comprise a wall, a plug or a filter. The second segment 10 may comprise a wall, a plug or a filter.
The first segment 9 is air permeable for providing a flow path through the first segment. The second segment 10 is air permeable for providing a flow path through the second segment. Alternatively, one of the first and second segments 9, 10 could be air-impermeable or substantially air-impermeable for controlling air flow through the or each window 7. Alternatively, the first segment 9 may have a lower air permeability than the second segment 10 for controlling air flow through the window 7.
The aerosol-generating material 3 may be of varying forms. The aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise tobacco or another material. The aerosol-generating material may comprise nicotine. In order to be suitable for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the aerosol-generating material and/or the article may comprise an aerosol former in an amount of greater than 10% by weight of the aerosol-generating material 3.
An aerosol-former material comprises one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of 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 outer wrapper 6 comprises windows 7. The windows 7 are in the shape of circles although it will be appreciated that a window 7 could alternatively have other shapes such as an oval or have straight sides. The aerosol-generating material 3 is visible through each of the windows 7. Although two windows 7 are shown in Fig. 1A, it will be appreciated that more than two windows 7 could be provided in the outer wrapper 6 or just one window 7. Each window 7 is formed by a hole in the outer wrapper. Alternatively, a window 7 may be formed by a transparent section or a translucent section in the outer wrapper 6. A window 7 may be formed by a porous section in the wrapper, for example the porous section may be translucent.
If multiple windows are provided then they may be spaced along the longitudinal axis 8 of the article and/or around the circumference of the article. Multiple rows of windows 7 could be provided.
The windows 7 allow a user to identify the article. The user can see the aerosol-generating material 3 through the windows 7 to ascertain or confirm its form. The windows 7 also allow the user to identify if the article has been used or not yet used in a non-combustible aerosol provision device, if the aerosol-generating material 3 undergoes a visual change during use in the device.
The or each window 7 extends across an axial length at least 1mm. The axial length of the or each window may be up to around 5mm or up to around 22mm. This allows the aerosol-generating material 3 to be easily visible through the window.
In Figs. 1A to 1D, the windows 7 are provided between the first end 4 and the second end 5 of the aerosol generating section 30. The or each window 7 may be centrally located between the first axial end 4 and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol generating section 30.
The article 1 further comprises a second wrapper 15 which surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30. The second wrapper 15 extends between the first and second axial ends 4, 5 of the aerosol generating section 30. The outer wrapper 6 surrounds the second wrapper 15, as shown, for example, in Fig. 1C which is a cross-section taken along the line A-A from Fig. 1A.
The second wrapper 15 is transparent or translucent for allowing the aerosol-generating material to be seen through the windows 7 and the second wrapper. The second wrapper 15 may be made from a shine-through paper. The second wrapper 15 may prevent the aerosol-generating material 3 from falling out through the windows 7 if the windows 7 are in the form of holes in the outer wrapper 6. The second wrapper 15 comprises perforations which form an air permeable section which is aligned with the or each window 7 for allowing air to flow through the window 7 and the second wrapper 15. It will be appreciated that the air permeable section in the second wrapper 15 could alternatively be formed by a porous section, for example.
Instead of being transparent, the second wrapper 15 could instead be a sheet of aerosol-generating material which is visible through the windows 7. The sheet of aerosol-generating material could comprise a tobacco material and/or an organic material, for example.
It will be appreciated that the second wrapper 15 could be omitted from the article. The second wrapper 15 may not be necessary, for example if the aerosol-generating material has a form such that it will not fall out through the window 7.
The article 1 and the aerosol-generating material 3 are in the shape of a cylinder although it will be appreciated that they do not need to be limited to this shape or to having a circular cross section.
Figs. 2A and 2B show another example of an article 50. The article 50 has corresponding features to those described above and contemplated in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D, and corresponding reference numerals are used for corresponding features. In Figs. 2A and 2B, a layer 150 is provided which surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30. In another embodiment, the layer 150 further surrounds the first segment 9 and the second segment 10, instead of or in addition to the first and second wrappers 1001,1002 although this is optional.
The layer 150 comprises a visual indicator 13 for a user to identify the article 50, for example the visual indicator may be a colour, such as brown, to indicate that the article 50 comprises tobacco. The layer 150 may be in the form of a sheet of material and the sheet may be brown for example.
The visual indicator 13 may additionally or alternatively allow the user to identify if the article has been used. For example, the visual indicator 13 may be configured to change colour when the article has been used in a non-combustible aerosol provision device. For example the visual indicator may comprise a heat activated dye or ink which changes colour when it is heated and/or the layer or sheet may comprise an additive such as citrate which changes shade such as becoming darker post-use.
The layer 150 may comprise aerosol-generating material. The layer may be a sheet which comprises a tobacco material and/or an organic material, for example. The material of the layer may be the visual indicator.
The outer wrapper 6 surrounds the layer 150. At least part of the visual indicator 13 is visible through the window 7.
The layer 150 may surround the aerosol-generating section of any of the other embodiments described herein. If a layer 150 is provided with any of the articles described or contemplated herein, then the visual indicator 13 may be visible through one or more of the windows of the article.
Figs. 3A and 3B show an alternative example of an article 100. The article of Figs. 3A and 3B has corresponding features to those described above and contemplated in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D, and corresponding reference numerals are used for corresponding features. In Figs. 3A and 3B, the outer wrapper comprises a first part 106A and a second part 106B.
The first part of the outer wrapper 106A surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30 towards the first axial end 4 of the aerosol generating section. The first part of the wrapper 106A fully surrounds the aerosol-generating section around its circumference. The first part of the outer wrapper 106A also surrounds the first segment 9, although it will be appreciated that the first part of the outer wrapper 106A may not extend to the first end 11 of the article 100.
The second part of the outer wrapper 106B surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30 towards the second axial end 5 of the aerosol generating section. The second part of the outer wrapper 106B fully surrounds the aerosol-generating section around its circumference. The second part of the outer wrapper 106B also surrounds the second segment 10, although it will be appreciated that the second part of the outer wrapper 106B may not extend to the second end 12 of the article 100.
The first and the second segments 9, 10 could be omitted from the article.
There is a separation between the first part of the outer wrapper 106A and the second part of the outer wrapper 106B which forms the window 107. The separation may be at least 1mm. The separation may be up to around 5mm or up to around 22mm.
In Figs. 3A and 3B, the separation extends around the entire circumference of the article so that the window extends around the entire circumference of the article. Although it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the separation may extend only partly around the circumference, so that the window is formed along part of the circumference. Multiple windows may be formed if multiple separations are formed at different positions around the circumference of the article between the first part of the outer wrapper 106A and the second part of the outer wrapper 106B.
Figs. 4A to 4C show an alternative example of an article 200. The example of Figs. 4A to 4C has corresponding features to those described above in relation to Figs. 3A and 3B, but the first and second segments 9, 10 are not present.
The first part of the outer wrapper 206A surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30 towards the first end 4 of the aerosol generating section. The second part of the outer wrapper 206B surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30 towards the second end 5 of the aerosol generating section. There is a separation between the first part of the wrapper 206A and the second part of the wrapper 206B which forms a window 207 through which at least part of the aerosol-generating material 3 is visible.
The first part of the outer wrapper 206A comprises folds 19 which partially cover the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section 30 to form a window 217A at the axial face 20 at the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section. At least part of the aerosol-generating material 3 is visible through the window 217A. At least part of the axial face 20 of the first end of the aerosol-generating section is visible through the window 217A. The window 217A may extend at least 1mm across the axial face.
The second part of the outer wrapper 206B comprises folds 19 which partially cover the second end 5 of the aerosol-generating section to form a window 217B at the axial face 21 at the second end 5 of the aerosol generating section, as shown, for example, in Fig. 4C. At least part of the aerosol-generating material is visible through the window 217B. At least part of the axial face 21 of the second end of the aerosol-generating section is visible through the window 217B. The window 217B may extend at least 1mm across the axial face.
The folds 19 comprise perforations which may have been formed in the wrapper for example by a laser or pins or by electrostatic techniques. In other embodiments the perforations may be omitted.
Alternatively, only the first part of the wrapper 206A comprises folds 19 which partially cover the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section to form the window 217A. The folds 19 of the second part of the wrapper 206B may fully cover the second end 5 of the aerosol-generating section as shown, for example in Fig. 4D.
In a yet further embodiment, the folds 19 on the first part of the wrapper 206A fully cover the axial face 20 at the first end 4 of aerosol-generating section, and the folds 19 on the second part of the wrapper 206B fully cover the axial face 21 at the second end 5 of the aerosol-generating section.
Instead of providing folds 19 to form the windows 217A, 217B at the axial faces, the outer wrapper may have a circular end sheet comprising a hole therethrough to form the window at the axial face 20 at the first axial end and/or at the axial face 21 at the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section 30.
Figs. 5A to 5C show an alternative example of an article 300. The example of Figs. 5A and 5C has corresponding features to those described above in relation to Figs. 4A to 4C, and corresponding reference numerals are used for corresponding features, but the outer wrapper 306 does not have a window between the first axial end 4 and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section.
The wrapper 306 extends from the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section 4 to the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section 5. The wrapper 306 comprises folds 19 which partially cover the axial face 20 at the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section to form a window 317A. At least part of the aerosol-generating material 3 is visible through the window 317A. At least part of the axial face 20 of the aerosol-generating section is visible through the window 317A.
The wrapper 306 comprises folds 19 which partially cover the axial face 21 at the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section to form a window 317B, as shown, for example, in Fig. 5C. At least part of the aerosol-generating material 3 is visible through the window 317B. At least part of the axial face 21 of the aerosol-generating section is visible through the window 317B.
Alternatively, only the window 317A is formed, and the axial face 21 at the second end 5 of the aerosol-generating section is not visible. The folds 19 may extend to fully cover the axial face at the second end 5 of the aerosol-generating material.
Figs. 6A to 6B show an alternative example of an article 400. The article of Figs. 6A to 6B has corresponding features to those described above in relation to Figs. 5A to 5C, and corresponding reference numerals relate to corresponding features, but windows 407 are additional provided in the outer wrapper 406 between the first axial end 4 and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section.
The windows 407 have similar features to those described above in relation to Figs. 1A to 1C. As noted in relation to figs. 1A to 1C, it is possible to provide only one window 407 between the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section or more than two windows. If multiple windows are provided then they may be spaced along the longitudinal axis 8 of the article and/or around the circumference of the article. Multiple rows of windows 407 could be provided.
The outer wrapper 406 comprises folds 19 which partially cover the axial faces at the first and second axial ends 4,5 aerosol-generating section to form windows as shown, for example, in Fig. 6B.
Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 6C, one end of the outer wrapper 406 may be closed at an axial face so that a window is only provided at one of the ends of the aerosol-generating section. Alternatively, both ends of the outer wrapper 406 may be closed so that windows are not provided at either of the axial faces at the axial ends of the aerosol-generating section 30. The or each window may only be provided between the first axial end 4 and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section 30.
Figs. 7A to 7C show an example of a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device 2, and an article such as the article 1 described in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D. However, the article could be any of the articles described or contemplated herein.
The aerosol provision device 2 is configured to receive the article 1 and to generate an aerosol or inhalable medium from the aerosol-generating material 3 to be inhaled by a user.
The aerosol provision device 2 comprises a body 34 having a housing 18 or outer cover which surrounds and houses various components of the device within the body 34.
The device 2 comprises a chamber 35 within the body 34 for receiving the article 1 into the device 1. The chamber 35 has an opening 33 through which the article 1 is inserted into the chamber 35.
The device 2 comprises a mouthpiece 31 which engages with the body 34. The mouthpiece 31 has a passage 22 which extends through the mouthpiece 31.
The mouthpiece 31 is movable relative to the body 34 to allow a user to close the chamber, and to access the chamber 35 to insert the article 1 therein. For example, the mouthpiece 31 may be removably attached to the body 34 by magnets, or the mouthpiece 31 may be attached to the body 34 by a hinged or other type of connection.
The non-combustible aerosol provision device 2 comprises an aerosol generator, such as a heater 32, for heating the aerosol-generating material 3 to release the aerosol therefrom. The heater 32 is shown in Fig. 7C. The heater 32 may circumferentially surround the chamber 35. Alternatively, aerosol generators, such as induction heaters or pin heaters may be provided.
In Fig. 7C, the article 1 is shown to be fully received in the chamber 35. The first and second axial ends 11, 12 of the article are located within the chamber 35. Alternatively the article 1 may only be partially received in the chamber 35 so that the article 1 protrudes into the passage 22 when the mouthpiece 31 is connected to the body 34.
Fig. 8 is an alternative example of a non-combustible aerosol provision system. The system is the same as that described above in relation to Figs. 7A to 7C, except that a vent 36 is provided in the body 34. The vent 36 is connected to the chamber 35. A window 7 of the article 1 can be aligned with the vent 36 so that, in use, air can flow through the window 7. The air can flow into the aerosol-generating material 3 via the vent 36 and the window 7.
In use, a user removes the mouthpiece 31 from the body 34 and inserts an article 1 into the chamber 35. The user then replaces the mouthpiece 31 on the body 34, and activates the heater 32 to heat the aerosol-generating material 3. A user draws on the mouthpiece 31 and the aerosol which is released from the aerosol-generating material 3 travels through the passage 22 and is inhaled by the user.
When the article 1 is used up, the user removes the mouthpiece 31 from the body 34 and places a new article 1 in the chamber 35.
The article may also be referred to herein as a consumable.
A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise 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.
Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material 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 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 aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered 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 is substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.
The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm. For example, the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.
The aerosol-generating film may be continuous. For example, the film may comprise or be a continuous sheet of material. The sheet may be in the form of a wrapper, it may be gathered to form a gathered sheet or it may be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The shredded sheet may comprise one or more strands or strips of aerosol-generating material.
The aerosol-generating film may be discontinuous. For example, the aerosol-generating film may comprise one or more discrete portions or regions of aerosol-generating material, such as dots, stripes or lines, which may be supported on a support. In such embodiments, the support may be planar or non-planar.
The aerosol-generating 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 one or more substances to be delivered, 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 material may comprise or be an "amorphous solid". In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating materiel 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.
The amorphous solid may be substantially free from botanical material. The amorphous solid may be substantially tobacco free.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise or consist of plant/botanical material. As used herein, the term "botanical material" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. In some embodiments, the term "botanical material" refers to solid plant matter (i.e., part of a plant) and does not encompass a "botanical extract".
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 arvensis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v., Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cordifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.
In some embodiments, the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.
In some embodiments, the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.
In some embodiments, the botanical material comprises leaf material.
In some embodiments, the botanical material is tobacco material.
According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.
In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.
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.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device, 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 may comprise 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 various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

An article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the article comprising an aerosol-generating section having a first axial end and a second axial end, wherein the aerosol-generating section comprises aerosol-generating material, and an outer wrapper which at least partially surrounds the aerosol-generating section, wherein the outer wrapper comprises at least one window, wherein at least part of the aerosol-generating material is visible through the at least one window.
An article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the article comprising an aerosol-generating section having a first axial end and a second axial end, wherein the aerosol-generating section comprises aerosol-generating material, the article further comprising a layer which at least partially surrounds the aerosol-generating section, the layer comprising a visual indicator for a user to identify the article and/or for a user to identify if the article has been used, and an outer wrapper which at least partially surrounds the layer and the aerosol-generating section, wherein the outer wrapper comprises at least one window, wherein at least part of the visual indicator is visible through the at least one window.
The article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one window extends across at least 1mm.
The article according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the at least one window comprises a window provided between the first axial end and the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section, and optionally wherein the window is centrally-located between the first axial end and the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
The article according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer wrapper at least partially covers the first axial end and/or at the second end axial of the aerosol-generating section, and optionally wherein the at least one window comprises a window provided in the outer wrapper on the axial face at the first axial end and/or a window provided on the axial face at the second axial end.
The article according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer wrapper comprises tipping paper and/or wherein the outer wrapper is opaque and/or wherein the at least one window is formed by a hole in the outer wrapper or a transparent section in the outer wrapper.
The article according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer wrapper comprises a first part and a second part, and wherein the first part of the outer wrapper at least partially surrounds the aerosol-generating section towards the first axial end, and the second part of the outer wrapper at least partially surrounds the aerosol-generating section towards the second axial end, and wherein the at least one window comprises a window formed by a separation between the first part of the outer wrapper and the second part of the outer wrapper.
The article according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second wrapper which at least partially surrounds the aerosol-generating section, wherein the outer wrapper surrounds the second wrapper.
The article according to claim 8, wherein the second wrapper is transparent or translucent, and optionally wherein the second wrapper comprises a shine-through paper, and optionally wherein the second wrapper comprises an air permeable section which is aligned with the at least one window for allowing air to flow through the second wrapper and the at least one window.
The article according to any preceding claim, further comprising a first segment at the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section and/or a second segment at the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section, and optionally wherein the first segment at least partially covers the first axial end and/or wherein the second segment at least partially covers the second axial end.
The article according to claim 10, wherein the first segment comprises a first body of material and/or wherein the second segment comprises a second body or material, and/or wherein the outer wrapper circumscribes the first segment and/or the second segment.
The article according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises tobacco and/or wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a rod of aerosol-generating material and/or wherein the at least one window provides an air permeable section for allowing air to flow through the window in use.
The article according to any preceding claim wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises an aerosol former in an amount of greater than 10% by weight of the aerosol-generating material.
The article according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a sheet of aerosol-generating material which is visible through the at least one window, and optionally wherein the sheet of aerosol generating material comprises a tobacco material and/or an organic material.
A non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprises an aerosol generator for heating the aerosol-generating material to release the aerosol therefrom.