EP4663038A1

EP4663038A1 - Article

Info

Publication number: EP4663038A1
Application number: EP24181469.8A
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: WO2025257541A1

Abstract

An article (1) for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device. The article (1) comprises an aerosol-generating section (30) having a first axial end (4) and a second axial end (5), wherein the aerosol-generating section (30) comprises aerosol-generating material (3). The article (1) extends between a first article axial end (11) and a second article axial end (12). 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), and 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) has a different composition to the second segment (10).

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and a system comprising an article and a 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 n article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, wherein the article comprises an aerosol-generating section having a first axial end and a second axial end, wherein the aerosol-generating section comprises aerosol-generating material, wherein the article extends between a first article axial end and a second article axial end, wherein the article further comprises a first segment located between the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section and the first article axial end, and a second segment located between the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section and the second article axial end, wherein the first segment has a different composition to the second segment.
The first segment may comprise a first additive. The first additive may comprise a first aerosol-generating material.
The second segment may comprise a second additive. The second additive may comprise a second aerosol-generating material.
The second aerosol-generating material may be different to the first aerosol-generating material. The total amount of the first aerosol-generating material may be different to the total amount of the second aerosol-generating material.
The first segment may comprise a first body of material. The first body of material may at least partially cover the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section. The first body of material may comprise the first additive.
The second segment may comprise a second body of material. The second body of material may at least partially covers the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section. The second body of material may comprise the second additive.
The first body of material may be formed by a sheet material or a cellulose-based material. The second body of material may be formed by a sheet material or a cellulose-based material. The first body of material may be formed from the same material as the second body of material.
The first aerosol-generating material may comprise a first flavour.
The second aerosol-generating material may comprise a second flavour which is different to the first flavour.
The first aerosol-generating material may comprise an active substance such as nicotine. The second aerosol-generating material may comprise an active substance such as nicotine.
The total amount of the active substance in the first aerosol-generating material may be greater than the total amount of the active substance in the second aerosol-generating material.
The axial length of the first segment may be shorter than the axial length of the second segment. The aerosol-generating material of the aerosol-generating segment may comprise an aerosol former in an amount of greater than 10% by weight of the aerosol-generating material.
The first segment may comprise a tube. The second segment may comprise a tube. The first additive may be located on the internal surface of the tube of the first segment. The second additive may be located on the internal surface of the tube of the second segment.
The article may further comprise an outer wrapper which circumscribes the aerosol-generating section, wherein the outer wrapper comprises at least one air permeable section for providing a flow path through the outer wrapper. The at least one air permeable section may be between the first axial end of the aerosol generating section and the second axial end of the aerosol generating section.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article. The device comprises a chamber for receiving the article, the chamber having a first axial end and a second axial end, and a heater for heating the article when it is located in the chamber, wherein the article can be located in the chamber in a first configuration and in a second configuration which is different to the first configuration.
The heater may be positioned closer to the second axial end of the chamber than to the first axial end of the chamber or the heater may be positioned closer to the first axial end of the chamber than to the second axial end of the chamber for selectively heating one of the first and second segments more than the other of the first and second segments. The chamber may comprise a vent between the first axial end of the chamber and the second axial end of the chamber.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a non-combustible aerosol provision device for heating an article comprising aerosol-generating material, wherein the device comprises a chamber for receiving the article in a first configuration and a second configuration which is different to the first configuration, wherein the chamber extends between a first axial end and a second axial end and wherein the chamber comprises an opening at the first axial end for receiving the article therethrough, and a heater for heating the article when it is located in the chamber, wherein the heater is positioned closer to the first axial end of the chamber than to the second axial end of the chamber, or wherein the heater is positioned closer to the second axial end of the chamber than to the first axial end of the chamber.
The device may comprise a body and a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a first end for contacting a user's mouth and a second end for connecting to the body, and wherein the chamber is located in the body.

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 a further example of an article;
Fig. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of 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. 4 shows a further example of an article;
Fig. 5 shows a further example of an article;
Fig. 6A shows a further example of an article;
Fig. 6B shows the article of Fig. 6A from a different perspective;
Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a further example of an article;
Fig. 8A shows a further example of an article;
Fig. 8B shows the article of Fig. 8A from a different perspective;
Fig. 9A shows an exploded view of an example of a system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article;
Fig. 9B shows an assembled view of the system of Fig. 9A;
Fig. 9C shows a cross-sectional view through part of Fig. 9B;
Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view through another example system;
Fig. 11 shows a cross-sectional view through another example system;
Fig. 12A shows a cross-sectional view through another example system with the article located in the chamber in a first configuration; and
Fig. 12B shows the system of fig. 12A with the article located in the chamber in a second configuration.

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 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 from the article. 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 30. The second segment 10 abuts the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section 30. The first segment 9 extends between the first article axial end 11 and the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section. 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.
The outer wrapper 6 surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30 around the axis 8. The outer wrapper 6 can be said to circumscribe the aerosol-generating section 30. 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 article axial end 11 and the second article axial end 12. 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 article axial end 11 and/or to the second article axial end 12.
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.
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 segment 9 forms a closure which extends across the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating material to cover the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating material for maintaining the aerosol-generating material 3 within the article.
The second segment 10 forms a closure which extends across the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating material to cover the second axial end of the aerosol-generating material for maintaining the aerosol-generating material 3 within the article.
The first and second segments 9, 10 can be said to fully cover the first and second axial ends 4, 5 of the aerosol-generating section respectively.
The first segment 9 has a different composition to the second segment 10.
In one example the first segment 9 has a first additive 1000 which comprises a first aerosol-generating material. The second segment 10 has a second additive 2000 which comprise a second aerosol-generating material. The first aerosol-generating material is different to the second aerosol-generating material so that the first segment has a different composition to the second segment. The total amount of the first aerosol-generating material may be different to the total amount of the second aerosol-generating material.
Alternatively, the first segment 9 may have a different composition to the second segment 10 in view of the first additive 1000 and the second additive 2000 being the same but the total amount of the first additive 1000 in the first segment 9 is different to the total amount of the second additive 2000 in the second segment 10. For example, the first additive 1000 may comprise a first aerosol-generating material and the second additive 2000 may comprise a second aerosol-generating material. The first aerosol-generating material and the second aerosol-generating material may be the same but the total amount of the first aerosol-generating material in the first segment is different to the total amount of the second aerosol-generating material in the second segment so that the composition of the first segment is different to the composition of the second segment.
Alternatively, the first segment 9 may have a different composition to the second segment 10 in view of the first segment 9 having the first additive 1000, which may comprise an aerosol-generating material, and the second segment 10 not having the second additive 2000.
The first segment 9 is formed by a first body of material 52 which comprises the first additive 1000. The second closure 10 is formed by a second body of material 53 which comprises the second additive 2000, although as noted above the second additive 2000 may not be present in an embodiment. 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 section. The second body of material 53 covers the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section. Although, 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 or bandcast reconstituted tobacco. The sheet material is crimped and/or gathered to form the first body of material 52, as shown, for example, in Figs 1B and 1C. 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 first additive 1000 is deposited on a surface of the first body of material 52 of the first segment 9.
The second body of material 53 is formed by sheet material such as paper or bandcast reconstituted tobacco. 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 may be formed from a cellulose-based material such as wood pulp or cotton. The second additive 2000 is deposited on a surface of the second body of material of the second segment 10.
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.
In another embodiment, 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 second body of material 53 may be formed from the same material as the first body of material 52.
As noted, the first additive 1000 is an aerosol-generating material. The first additive 1000 may be in the form of an aerosol-generating film or a gel, or the first additive may be provided in a breakable capsule, as described further below in relation to Fig. 7.
As noted, the second additive 2000 is an aerosol-generating material. The second additive may be in the form of an aerosol-generating film or gel, or the second additive may be provided in a breakable capsule, as described further below in relation to fig. 7.
The first aerosol-generating material may comprise a first flavour such as menthol and the second aerosol-generating material may comprise a second flavour which is different to the first flavour such as berry.
The first aerosol-generating material of the first additive 1000 may comprise an active substance such as nicotine. The second aerosol-generating material of the second additive 2000 may also comprise an active substance such as nicotine but the total amount of the active substance in the first aerosol-generating material may be greater than the total amount of the active substance in the second aerosol-generating material.
For example, the first aerosol-generating material of the first additive 1000 may comprise around 1% of nicotine by volume of the first aerosol-generating material. The second aerosol-generating material of the second additive 2000 may comprise around 3% of nicotine by volume of the second aerosol-generating material. Alternatively or additionally, the first aerosol-generating material of the first additive may comprise between 3mg and 10mg of nicotine. The second aerosol-generating material of the second additive 2000 may comprise between 30mg and 50mg of nicotine. Alternatively, the first additive 1000 may comprise an active substance such as nicotine and the second additive 2000 may not comprise an active substance or may comprise a different active substance to nicotine.
The first and second additives 1000, 2000 may be activated by heat and/or moisture.
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.
The first body of material 52 may function to filter aerosol produced from the aerosol-generating material 3 in the aerosol-generating section 30. The second body of material 53 may function to filter aerosol produced from the aerosol-generating material 3.
The aerosol-generating material 3 in the aerosol-generating section 30 may be of varying forms. The aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise tobacco or another material. The aerosol-generating material 3 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 3 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 air permeable sections in the form of 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 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.
Having an air-permeable section in the wrapper, such as a window, advantageously allows a flow path to be provided through the wrapper. Air can flow into or out of the aerosol-generating material through the air-permeable section.
If air is flowing into the aerosol-generating material through the air-permeable section then this will ventilate the aerosol-generating material 3 whilst it is being heated. If air is flowing out of the air-permeable section then aerosol which is generated whilst the aerosol-generating material 3 is heated can be entrained in the flow and pass through the wrapper via the air-permeable section.
If the air permeable section is in the form of a window 7 then this allows 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 window also allows 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 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 and/or air to flow through the window.
In Figs. 1A to 1D, the windows 7 are provided between the first axial end 4 and the second axial 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 15. 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 or if the window 7 is not present.
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 an alternative example of an article 100. The article of Figs. 2A and 2B 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, 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 30 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.
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. 2A and 2B, 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.
The first segment 9 may have a different composition to the second segment 10 as discussed herein.
The articles discussed in relation to Figs. 1A to 2B include air permeable sections in the form of windows. However, these articles may be modified so that the windows are not present in the article or instead of providing a window, perforations or a porous section may be provided in the wrapper to form an air permeable section.
A specific example of an air permeable section comprising perforations will now be discussed.
Figs. 3A and 3B show an article 400. The article of Fig 4. has corresponding features to those described in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D, and corresponding reference numerals relate to corresponding features. Instead of providing a window in the outer wrapper 406, the air permeable section 407 comprises perforations 409 in the wrapper 406.
The air permeable section 407 is provided between the first and the second axial ends 4, 5 of the aerosol-generating section 30.
The air permeable section 407 has a circular shape. The perforations 409 define a circle-shaped area and perforations 409 are within the circle-shaped area. However, other shapes may be provided in other embodiments, for example the perforations 409 may define an area having straight sides, and perforations 409 are within the area.
The air permeable section 407 extends across an axial length of at least 1mm. The axial length of the air permeable section may be up to around 5mm or up to around 22mm. The size of the air permeable section 407 allows the air to flow at a desired rate through the air permeable section. Although the axial length of the air-permeable section may have other dimensions in other embodiments.
The air permeable section 407 is centrally located between the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating material and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the air permeable section 407 may be located closer to the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section, for example.
Instead of the air permeable section comprising perforations, the air permeable section may instead be porous.
The article 400 further comprises a second wrapper 15 which surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30, as discussed for example, in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D. The outer wrapper 406 surrounds the second wrapper 15.
The second wrapper 15 comprises perforations or a porous section or a hole which aligns with the air permeable section 407 in the first wrapper 406.
Alternatively, the second wrapper 15 may not be present in the article 400.
The first segment may have a different composition to the second segment, as discussed herein.
Fig. 4 shows an example of an article 600 in which the outer wrapper 606 has been partly removed therefrom. The article 600 has corresponding features to those described above and contemplated in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D and corresponding reference numerals relate to corresponding features. In Fig. 4, the outer wrapper 606 does not include a window.
As noted above, the first segment 9 has a different composition to the second segment 10.
The axial length of the first segment 9 may be the same as the axial length of the second segment 10. However, alternatively, the axial length of the second segment 10 may be greater than the axial length of the first segment 9.
Fig. 5 shows an example of an article 700. The article 700 has corresponding features to those described in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D, and corresponding reference numerals relate to corresponding features. The wrapper 706 does not include a window. The first segment 709 has an axial length which is shorter than the axial length of the second segment 710. As discussed above in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D, the composition of the first segment 709 is different to the composition of the second segment 710.
Figs. 6A and 6B show an example of an article 800 in which the outer wrapper 806 has been partly removed therefrom. The article 800 has corresponding features to those described in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D and corresponding reference numerals relate to corresponding features. The outer wrapper 806 does not comprise a window but in an alternative embodiment the outer wrapper 806 may comprise an air permeable section, such as a window.
The first segment 9 includes an internal channel 809 in the first body of material. The first body of material 52 abuts the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section. The first segment 9, and the first body of material 52, therefore partially extend across the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section to partially cover the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section for maintaining the aerosol-generating material 3 within the article.
The second segment 10 includes an internal channel 810 in the second body of material. The second body of material 53 abuts the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section. The second segment 10, and the second body of material 53, therefore partially extend across the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section to partially cover the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section for maintaining the aerosol-generating material 3 within the article.
In Figs 6A and 6B, the first segment 9 abuts the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section and the second segment 10 abuts the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section. Alternatively, there may be a separation between the first segment 9 and/or the second segment 10 and the aerosol-generating section 3.
The first segment 9 has a different composition to the second segment 10 as discussed herein.
Fig. 7 shows an example of an article 900. The article 900 has corresponding features to those described in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D and corresponding reference numerals relate to corresponding features. The wrapper 906 does not include a window. The first additive 1000 is provided in a breakable capsule 901 in the first body of material 52, and the second additive 2000 is provided in a breakable capsule 902 in the second body of material 53.
A user can break the first capsule 901 and the second capsule 902 to release the first and second additives 1000, 2000 into the bodies of material of the first and second segments 9, 10 respectively.
The first additive 1000 comprises a first aerosol-generating material and the second additive 2000 comprises a second aerosol-generating material. The first aerosol-generating material is different to the second aerosol-generating material and optionally the total amount of the first aerosol-generating material may be different to the total amount of the second aerosol-generating material. Alternatively, the first and second aerosol-generating materials may be the same but be present in different total amounts in the first capsule 901 and the second capsule 902 so that the first segment has a different composition to the second segment.
Alternatively, the second breakable capsule 902 may not be present so that only the first segment 9 includes the first breakable capsule 901.
Figs. 8A and 8B show an alternative example of an article 950. The first segment 951 is provided in the form of a first tube 956 with the additive 1000 located on the internal surface 958 of the tube. The internal surface of the tube forms an internal channel 953. The additive 1000 may have been sprayed onto the internal surface of the tube and may extend along the entire axial length of the tube. Alternatively, the additive may be applied by a different method to the tube. The tube 956 may be formed from paper.
The second segment 952 is provided in the form of a second tube 957 with the additive 2000 located on the internal surface 959 of the tube. The internal surface of the tube forms an internal channel 954. The additive 2000 may have been sprayed onto the internal surface of the tube and may extend along the entire axial length of the tube. Alternatively, the additive may be applied by a different method to the tube. The tube 957 may be formed from paper.
The first tube 956 abuts the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section. The second tube 957 abuts the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section. Alternatively, there may be a separation between the first tube 956 and/or the second tube 957 and the aerosol-generating section.
As noted above, the second additive 2000 may be different to the first additive 1000 and optionally the total amount of the second additive 2000 may be different to the total amount of the first additive 1000. Alternatively, the second additive 2000 may be the same as the first additive 1000 but present in a different total amount. Alternatively, the second additive 2000 may not be present at all.
The first additive 1000 may comprise a first aerosol-generating material and the second additive 2000 may comprise a second aerosol-generating material. The first aerosol-generating material is different to the second aerosol-generating material and optionally the total amount of the first aerosol-generating material may be different to the total amount of the second aerosol-generating material. Alternatively, the first and second aerosol-generating materials may be the same but be present in different total amounts in the first tube and the second tube so that the first segment has a different composition to the second segment.
In an alternative embodiment, an article may be provided in which the first segment is formed from a body of material and the second segment is formed by a tube.
The articles in Figs. 4 to 8B do not have an air permeable section in the wrapper between the first axial end 4 and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol generating section 30 but in alternative embodiments, one or more windows or other air-permeable sections may be provided in the outer wrappers between the first axial end 4 and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol generating section 30 in Figs. 4 to 8B, as described herein.
The articles in the figures show the first segment comprising a first additive 1000 and the second segment comprising a second additive 2000. However, alternatively, the second additive 2000 may not be provided at all in the articles so that only the first segment has an additive 1000.
Figs. 9A to 9C 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 chamber 35 extends along an axis 49. The chamber 35 extends between a first axial end 46 and a second axial end 47.
The device 2 comprises a mouthpiece 31 which engages with the body 34. The mouthpiece 31 has a first end 44 for contacting a user's mouth and a second end 45 for connecting to the body 44. The mouthpiece 31 has a passage 22 which extends through the mouthpiece 31 from a first opening 54 at the first end 44 of the mouthpiece to a second opening 55 at the second end 45 of the mouthpiece for conveying aerosol through the mouthpiece for inhalation by a user.
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 diameter of the second opening 55 of the passage 22 is less than the diameter of the opening 33 of the chamber 35 for maintaining the article in the chamber when the mouthpiece is connected to the body.
The non-combustible aerosol provision device 2 comprises an aerosol generator, such as a heater, for heating the aerosol-generating material 3 to release the aerosol therefrom. The heater is provided in the body 34. In the example shown in Fig. 9C, the heater has a first part 32A and a second part 32B which circumferentially surround the chamber 35. However, alternative forms of heater are possible or aerosol generators, such as induction heaters or pin heaters may be provided.
The heater in Fig. 9C aligns with the aerosol-generating material 3 and not the first and second segments 9, 10 of the article 1 when the article 1 is located in the chamber. Alternatively, the heater may partially align with the first segment 9 and/or the second segment 10 of the article in addition to aligning with the aerosol-generating material 3.
In Fig. 9C, the article 1 is shown to be fully enclosed in the chamber 35. The first and second axial ends 11, 12 of the article 1 are located within the chamber 35.
The chamber 35 comprises a vent 36. The vent 36 is located between the first axial end 46 and the second axial end 47 of the chamber. If the article comprises an air permeable section, such as a window 7, then this aligns with the vent 36 when the article 1 is located in the chamber 35 for allowing air to flow into the article 1 through the vent 36 and the window 7 in use. The vent 36 aligns with the air permeable section of the article which is between the first end 4 of the aerosol-generating section and the second end 5 of the aerosol generating section. The vent 36 may additionally or alternatively prevent condensation from building up within the chamber 35.
The opening 33 to the chamber and the passageway 22 allows air, and any aerosol entrained therein, to flow out from the article 1.
If the article which is inserted in the device 2 in Figs. 9A to 9C has an air permeable section 507 comprising perforations 409, such as the article 400 which is shown and described in relation to Figs.3A and 3B, then the air permeable section 407 aligns with the vent 36 when the article 400 is located in the chamber 35.
In the example shown in Fig. 9C, the vent 36 is connected to a passage 38 which extends through the housing 18 to an aperture 136 in the housing. However, the chamber 35 could alternatively be positioned closer to the housing such that a passage 38 is not required. The vent 36 may be joined to an aperture 136 in the housing 18.
The chamber 35 comprises a channel 51 which is connected to the first vent 36. The channel 51 extends around the axis 49 of the chamber. The channel 51 allows air to flow into or out of the article through the vent 36 and the air permeable section via the channel 51. This can be useful if the article which is inserted in the chamber has more than one air permeable section or if the air permeable section is not perfectly aligned with the vent 36.
The article 1 can be located in the chamber 35 in a first configuration in which the first axial end of the article 11 is towards the first axial end 46 of the chamber 35 and the second axial end of the article 12 is towards the second axial end 47 of the chamber 35 as shown, for example in Fig. 9C.
The article 1 can be located in the chamber 35 in a second configuration, in which the first axial end 11 of the article is towards the second axial end 47 of the chamber and the second axial end 12 of the article is towards the first axial end 46 of the chamber.
If the article comprises an air permeable section, then the air permeable section aligns with the vent 36 when the article 1 is located in the chamber 35 in the first configuration and the second configuration. Alternatively, the air permeable section may only align with the vent 36 when the article is located in the chamber in the first configuration and not when the article is located in the chamber in the second configuration.
In use, a user removes the mouthpiece 31 from the body 34 and inserts an article 1 into the chamber 35 through the opening 33. The user then replaces the mouthpiece 31 on the body 34 and activates the heater to heat the aerosol-generating material 3.
A user draws on the mouthpiece 31 to draw air into the vent 36 and into the aerosol-generating material 3 through the air permeable section in the wrapper.
The aerosol which is released from the aerosol-generating material 3 travels through the passage 22 from the second end 55 to the first end 54 of the mouthpiece and is inhaled by the user through the first opening 54.
A user can choose whether to insert the article 1 into the chamber 35 in the first configuration or the second configuration. The composition of the aerosol which the user inhales will differ depending on whether the article is in the first configuration or the second configuration as the air which flows in through the vent 36 will either travel through the first segment 9 if the article is in the first configuration or the second segment 10 if the article is in the second configuration. The composition of the aerosol which the user inhales is different since the first segment 9 has a different composition to the second segment 10.
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.
Fig. 10 is an alternative example of a non-combustible aerosol provision system. The system is the same as that described above in relation to Figs. 9A to 9C, except the device 2 has a different heater. The heater 32 in Fig. 10 circumscribes the chamber. The heater 32 is located closer to the second axial end 47 of the chamber 35 than the first axial end 46 of the chamber 35.
When the article 1 is located in the device in the first configuration, the heater 32 aligns with the second segment 10 as well as with part of the aerosol-generating section 30. When the article 1 is located in the device in the second configuration the heater 32 aligns with the first segment 9 as well as with part of the aerosol-generating section 30. The composition of the aerosol which the user inhales will differ depending on whether the article is in the first configuration or the second configuration since the first segment has a different composition to the second segment.
Fig. 10 shows the heater 132 fully aligning with the second segment 10 but in another example the heater 132 may only partially align with the second segment 10.
Fig. 10 shows the heater partially aligning with the aerosol-generating section 30 but in another example the heater 132 may extend to fully align with the aerosol-generating section 30.
In another example, the heater 132 may be located closer to the first axial end 46 of the chamber than to the second axial end 47 of the chamber.
Having the heater 132 located closer to one of the axial ends 46, 47 of the chamber than to the other axial end of the chamber 46, 57 means that the heater 132 will heat one of the segments 9, 10 more than the other segment 9, 10 to produce a different user experience when the article is located in the chamber 35 in the first configuration compared to the second configuration. The heater 132 selectively heats one of the first and second segments more than the other segment.
Fig. 11 is an alternative example of a non-combustible aerosol provision system. The system is similar to that described in relation to Figs. 9A to 9C and corresponding reference numerals relate to corresponding features. The chamber 35 does not comprise a vent 36.
Fig. 11 shows the article 1 inserted in the chamber 35, although any of the other articles described in this application can be used in the system of Fig. 11.
The device 34 comprises a heater 132 which is located closer to the second axial end 47 of the chamber 35 than the first axial end 46 of the chamber 35. The heater 132 circumscribes the chamber 35.
When the article 1 is located in the device in the first configuration, the heater 132 aligns with the second segment 10 as well as the aerosol-generating section 30. When the article 1 is located in the device in the second configuration the heater 132 aligns with the first segment 9 as well as the aerosol-generating section 30. The composition of the aerosol which the user inhales will differ depending on whether the article is in the first configuration or the second configuration since the first segment has a different composition to the second segment.
In an alternative example the heater 132 may only partially align with the second segment 10 and the aerosol-generating section when the article is located in the device in the first configuration.
When the article is located in the device in the first configuration the heater 132 does not align with the first segment 9 as shown in Fig. 11. However, alternatively the heater 132 could partially align with the first segment 9 in the first configuration and still selectively heat one of the segments of the article more than the other segment of the article.
In Fig. 11, the heater 132 is positioned closer to the second axial end 47 of the chamber but it could alternatively be positioned closer to the first axial end 46 of the chamber for selectively heating one of the segments of the article more than the other segment of the article.
Figs. 12A and 12B show an alternative example of a non-combustible aerosol provision system. The system is the same as that described in relation to Figs. 9A to 9C but the chamber 35 does not comprise a vent 36.
Figs. 12A shows the article 1 inserted in the chamber 35 although any of the other articles described in this application can be used in the system of Figs. 12A and 12B.
The device comprises a heater 232. The heater 232 circumscribes the chamber 35.
When the article 1 is located in the device in the first configuration, shown in Fig.12A, the heater 232 aligns with the aerosol-generating section 30 but not the first segment 9 or the second segment 10. When the article 400 is located in the device in the second configuration, shown in Fig.12B, the heater 232 aligns with the aerosol-generating section 30 but not the first segment 9 or the second segment 10.
The composition of the aerosol which the user inhales will differ depending on whether the article is in the first configuration or the second configuration since the aerosol which is heated and released from the aerosol-generating material 3 will either travel through the first segment 9 if the article is in the first configuration or the second segment 10 if the article is in the second configuration. The aerosol which is released from the aerosol-generating material 3 can cause aerosol to be released from the first segment and/or the second segment as it travels therethrough. It is not necessary for the first segment and/or the second segment to be directly heated by a heater if they contain aerosol-generating material which can be released by the aerosol generated in the aerosol-generating segment as it travels through the respective segment.
Any of the devices described herein may comprise alternative heaters such as electromagnetic generators and susceptors.
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.
The following numbered clauses form part of the present disclosure.
Clause 1. An article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, wherein the article comprises an aerosol-generating section having a first axial end and a second axial end, wherein the aerosol-generating section comprises aerosol-generating material, wherein the article extends between a first article axial end and a second article axial end, wherein the article further comprises a first segment located between the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section and the first article axial end, and a second segment located between the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section and the second article axial end, wherein the first segment has a different composition to the second segment.
Clause 2. The article according to clause 1, wherein the first segment comprises a first additive.
Clause 3. The article according to clause 2, wherein the first additive comprises a first aerosol-generating material.
Clause 4. The article according to clause 2 or 3, wherein the second segment comprises a second additive.
Clause 5. The article according to clause 4, wherein the second additive comprises a second aerosol-generating material.
Clause 6. The article according to clause 4 or 5, wherein the composition of the first additive is different to the composition of the second additive.
Clause 7. The article according to clause 4, wherein the first additive comprises a first aerosol-generating material and the second additive comprises a second aerosol-generating material which is different to the first aerosol-generating material and optionally wherein the total amount of the first aerosol-generating material is different to the total amount of the second aerosol-generating material.
Clause 8. The article according to clause 4 or 5, wherein the first additive is the same as the second additive and the total amount of the first additive is different to the total amount of the second additive, and optionally wherein the first aerosol-generating material is the same as the second aerosol-generating material and the total amount of the first aerosol-generating material is different to the total amount of the second aerosol-generating material.
Clause 9. The article according to any one of clauses 4 to 8, wherein the total amount of the first additive in the first segment is greater than the total amount of the second additive in the second segment, and optionally wherein the total amount of the first aerosol-generating material is greater than the total amount of the second aerosol-generating material and/or wherein the first aerosol generating material comprises a greater amount of an active substance, such as nicotine, than the second aerosol-generating material.
Clause 10. The article according to any of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the first segment comprises a first body of material which optionally at least partially covers the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
Clause 11. The article according to clause 10, wherein the first body of material fully covers the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
Clause 12. The article according to clause 10 or 11, wherein the first body of material comprises the first additive.
Clause 13. The article according to clause 12, wherein the first additive is deposited on a surface of the first body of material.
Clause 14. The article according to clause 12, wherein the first additive is provided in a breakable capsule in the first body of material.
Clause 15. The article according to any of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the second segment comprises a second body of material which optionally at least partially covers the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
Clause 16. The article according to clause 15, wherein the second body of material fully covers the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
Clause 17. The article according to clause 15 or 16, wherein the second body of material comprises the second additive.
Clause 18. The article according to clause 17, wherein the second additive is deposited on a surface of the second body of material.
Clause 19. The article according to clause 17, wherein the second additive is provided in a breakable capsule in the second body of material.
Clause 20. The article according to any one of clauses 10 to 19, wherein the first body of material is formed by sheet material such as paper or bandcast tobacco.
Clause 21. The article according to any one of clauses 10 to 19, wherein the first body of material is formed from a cellulose-based material or cellulose acetate tow.
Clause 22. The article according to any one of clauses 15 to 21, wherein the second body of material is formed by sheet material such as paper or bandcast tobacco.
Clause 23. The article according to any one of clauses 15 to 21, wherein the second body of material is formed from a cellulose-based material or cellulose acetate tow.
Clause 24. The article according to any one of clauses 10 to 23, wherein the first body of material is formed from the same material as the second body of material.
Clause 25. The article according to any one of clauses 2 to 24, wherein the first additive is in the form of an aerosol-generating film or gel.
Clause 26. The article according to any one of clauses 4 to 25, wherein the second additive is in the form of an aerosol-generating film or gel.
Clause 27. The article according to any one of clauses 2 to 26, wherein the first additive, and optionally the first aerosol-generating material, comprises a first flavour.
Clause 28. The article according to clause 27, wherein the second additive, and optionally the second aerosol-generating material, comprises a second flavour which is different to the first flavour.
Clause 29. The article according to any one of clauses 2 to 28, wherein the first additive, and optionally the first aerosol-generating material, comprises an active substance such as nicotine.
Clause 30. The article according to any one of clauses 4 to 29, wherein the second additive, and optionally the second aerosol-generating material, comprises an active substance such as nicotine.
Clause 31. The article according to clause 30 when dependent upon clause 29, wherein the total amount of the active substance in the first additive or first aerosol-generating material is greater than the total amount of the active substance in the second additive or second aerosol-generating material.
Clause 32. The article according to any of clauses 1 to 31, wherein the axial length of the first segment is shorter than the axial length of the second segment.
Clause 33. The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 32, wherein the article extends between a first article axial end and a second article axial end.
Clause 34. The article according to clause 33, wherein the first segment includes an internal channel, and optionally wherein the internal channel extends from the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section to the first article axial end.
Clause 35. The article according to clause 34, wherein the second segment includes an internal channel, and optionally wherein the internal channel extends from the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section to the second article axial end.
Clause 36. The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 35, wherein the first segment comprises a tube.
Clause 37. The article according to clause 36, wherein the first additive is located on the internal surface of the tube.
Clause 38. The article according to clause 36 or 37, wherein the second segment comprises a second tube.
Clause 39. The article according to clause 38, wherein the second additive is located on the internal surface of the second tube.
Clause 40. The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 39, wherein the first segment contacts the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
Clause 41. The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 40, wherein the second segment contacts the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
Clause 42. The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 41, wherein the article further comprises an outer wrapper which circumscribes the aerosol-generating section.
Clause 43. The article according to clause 42, wherein the outer wrapper further circumscribes the first segment and/or the second segment.
Clause 44. The article according to clause 42 or 43, wherein the outer wrapper comprises at least one air permeable section for providing a flow path through the outer wrapper.
Clause 45. The article according to clause 44, wherein the at least one air permeable section is between the first axial end of the aerosol generating section and the second axial end of the aerosol generating section.
Clause 46. The article according to clause 44 or 45, wherein the air permeable section comprises a window.
Clause 47. The article according to clause 44, 45 or 46, wherein the air permeable section comprises perforations in the outer wrapper.
Clause 48. A system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article as defined in any one of clauses 1 to 47, wherein the device comprises a chamber for receiving the article, the chamber having a first axial end and a second axial end, and a heater for heating the article when it is located in the chamber, wherein the article can be located in the chamber in a first configuration and in a second configuration which is different to the first configuration.
Clause 49. The system according to clause 48, wherein when the article is located in the chamber in the first configuration, the first article axial end of the article is towards the first axial end of the chamber and the second article axial end of the article is towards the second axial end of the chamber.
Clause 50. The system according to clause 49, wherein when the article is located in the chamber in the second configuration, the first article axial end of the article is towards the second axial end of the chamber and the second article axial end of the article is towards the first axial end of the chamber.
Clause 51. The system according to any one of clauses 48 to 50, wherein the heater is positioned closer to the second axial end of the chamber than to the first axial end of the chamber or closer to the first axial end of the chamber than to the second axial end of the chamber for selectively heating one of the first and second segments more than the other of the first and second segments.
Clause 52. The system according to any one of clauses 48 to 51, wherein the heater is at least partially aligned with the aerosol-generating section when the article is in the first configuration and the second configuration, and optionally wherein the heater is fully aligned with the aerosol-generating section when the article is in the first configuration and/or in the second configuration.
Clause 53. The system according to any one of clauses 48 to 52, wherein the heater is not aligned with the first segment when the article is located in the chamber in the first configuration, and optionally wherein the heater is not aligned with the second segment when the article is located in the chamber in the first configuration.
Clause 54. The system according to any one of clauses 48 to 53, wherein the heater is at least partially aligned with the second segment when the article is located in the chamber in the first configuration and/or wherein the heater is at least partially aligned with the first segment when the article is located in the chamber in the second configuration.
Clause 55. The system according to any one of clauses 48 to 54, wherein the heater is not aligned with the second segment when the article is located in the chamber in the second configuration.
Clause 56. The system according to any one of clauses 48 to 55, wherein when the article is located in the chamber the first configuration then the first and the second article axial ends are located within the chamber.
Clause 57. The system according to any one of clauses 48 to 56, wherein the chamber comprises a vent between the first axial end of the chamber and the second axial end of the chamber.
Clause 58. The system according to clause 57, wherein when the article comprises at least one air permeable section, the at least one air permeable section aligns with the vent when the article is located in the chamber in the first configuration and/or in the second configuration for allowing air to flow into the article through the vent and the at least one air permeable section.
Clause 59. A non-combustible aerosol provision device for heating an article comprising aerosol-generating material, wherein the device comprises a chamber for receiving the article in a first configuration and a second configuration which is different to the first configuration, wherein the chamber extends between a first axial end and a second axial end and wherein the chamber comprises an opening at the first axial end for receiving the article therethrough, and a heater for heating the article when it is located in the chamber, wherein the heater is positioned closer to the first axial end of the chamber than to the second axial end of the chamber, or wherein the heater is positioned closer to the second axial end of the chamber than to the first axial end of the chamber.
Clause 60. The device according to clause 59, wherein the device comprises a body and a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a first end for contacting a user's mouth and a second end for connecting to the body, and wherein the chamber is located in the body.
Clause 61. The device according to clause 60, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a passage extending through the mouthpiece from a first opening at the first end of the mouthpiece to a second opening at the second end of the mouthpiece for conveying aerosol through the mouthpiece for inhalation by a user.
Clause 62. The device according to clause 61, wherein the diameter of the passage at the second opening is less than the diameter of the opening of the chamber for maintaining the article in the chamber when the mouthpiece is connected to the body.
Clause 63. The device according to clause 60, 61 or 62, wherein the mouthpiece is movable related to the body for allowing a user to insert the article into the chamber through the opening.
Clause 64. A system comprising the device of any one of clauses 59 to 62, and the article of any one of clauses 1 to 47.

Claims

An article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, wherein the article comprises an aerosol-generating section having a first axial end and a second axial end, wherein the aerosol-generating section comprises aerosol-generating material, wherein the article extends between a first article axial end and a second article axial end, wherein the article further comprises a first segment located between the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section and the first article axial end, and a second segment located between the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section and the second article axial end, wherein the first segment has a different composition to the second segment.
The article according to claim 1, wherein the first segment comprises a first additive, and optionally wherein the first additive comprises a first aerosol-generating material.
The article according to claim 2, wherein the second segment comprises a second additive, and optionally wherein the second additive comprises a second aerosol-generating material.
The article according to claim 3, wherein the second aerosol-generating material is different to the first aerosol-generating material and/or wherein the total amount of the first aerosol-generating material is different to the total amount of the second aerosol-generating material.
The article according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first segment comprises a first body of material which optionally at least partially covers the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section, and optionally wherein the first body of material comprises the first additive.
The article according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second segment comprises a second body of material which optionally at least partially covers the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section, and optionally wherein the second body of material comprises the second additive.
The article according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first body of material and/or the second body of material is formed by a sheet material or a cellulose-based material and/or wherein the first body of material is formed from the same material as the second body of material.
The article according to claim 2, or any one of claims 3 to 7 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the first aerosol-generating material comprises a first flavour.
The article according to claim 8, wherein the second aerosol-generating material comprise a second flavour which is different to the first flavour.
The article according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the first aerosol-generating material and/or the second aerosol-generating material comprises an active substance such as nicotine, and optionally wherein the total amount of the active substance in the first aerosol-generating material is greater than the total amount of the active substance in the second aerosol-generating material.
The article according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the axial length of the first segment is shorter than the axial length of the second segment and/or wherein the aerosol-generating material of the aerosol-generating segment comprises an aerosol former in an amount of greater than 10% by weight of the aerosol-generating material.
The article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first segment and/or the second segment comprises a tube, and optionally wherein the first additive is located on the internal surface of the tube of the first segment optionally wherein the second additive is located on the internal surface of the tube of the second segment.
The article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising an outer wrapper which circumscribes the aerosol-generating section, wherein the outer wrapper comprises at least one air permeable section for providing a flow path through the outer wrapper, and optionally wherein the at least one air permeable section is between the first axial end of the aerosol generating section and the second axial end of the aerosol generating section.
A system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the device comprises a chamber for receiving the article, the chamber having a first axial end and a second axial end, and a heater for heating the article when it is located in the chamber, wherein the article can be located in the chamber in a first configuration and in a second configuration which is different to the first configuration, and optionally wherein the heater is positioned closer to the second axial end of the chamber than to the first axial end of the chamber or wherein the heater is positioned closer to the first axial end of the chamber than to the second axial end of the chamber for selectively heating one of the first and second segments more than the other of the first and second segments and/or wherein the chamber comprises a vent between the first axial end of the chamber and the second axial end of the chamber.
A non-combustible aerosol provision device for heating an article comprising aerosol-generating material, wherein the device comprises a chamber for receiving the article in a first configuration and a second configuration which is different to the first configuration, wherein the chamber extends between a first axial end and a second axial end and wherein the chamber comprises an opening at the first axial end for receiving the article therethrough, and a heater for heating the article when it is located in the chamber, wherein the heater is positioned closer to the first axial end of the chamber than to the second axial end of the chamber, or wherein the heater is positioned closer to the second axial end of the chamber than to the first axial end of the chamber, and optionally wherein the device comprises a body and a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a first end for contacting a user's mouth and a second end for connecting to the body, and wherein the chamber is located in the body.