EP4687513A1

EP4687513A1 - Aerosol generating article

Info

Publication number: EP4687513A1
Application number: EP24719247.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Richard Hepworth; Barry DIMMICK; Steven Holford
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-29
Filing date: 2024-03-28
Publication date: 2026-02-11
Also published as: JP2026510976A; WO2024201062A1; TW202512945A; CN121646419A

Abstract

An article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system includes an aerosol- generating portion and a body of material arranged upstream of the aerosol-generating portion. The aerosol-generating portion can include a cavity having a volume of at least 100 mm3 and containing particulate aerosol-generating material. The aerosol- generating portion can include aerosol-generating material having a bulk density between 5 mg/cm3 and 300 mg/cm3.

Description

An article and an aerosol provision system including the article

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an article for use in an aerosol provision system, and an aerosol provision system including the article.

Background

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

Summary In accordance with embodiments of the invention, in a first aspect there is provided an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the article comprising an aerosol-generating portion and a body of material arranged upstream of the aerosolgenerating portion, wherein the aerosol-generating portion comprises a cavity having a volume of at least too mm3 and containing particulate aerosol-generating material.

The cavity can be empty aside from the particulate aerosol-generating material.

The aerosol-generating portion can be arranged to be heated to generate aerosol when used in the non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, in a second aspect there is provided an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the article comprising an aerosol-generating portion, and a body of material arranged upstream of the aerosol-generating portion, wherein the aerosol-generating portion comprises aerosol- generating material, and the bulk density of the aerosol-generating material is between

5 mg/cm3 and 300 mg/cirf¹.

The bulk density of the aerosol-generating material in the first or second aspect can be between 5 mg/cm'¹ and 90 mg/cm¹¹, or between 10 mg/cm¹¹ and 80 mg/cm¹¹, or between 15 mg/ cm3 and 70 mg/ cm3. The bulk density of the aerosol-generating material in the first or second aspect can be between too mg/cm'¹ and 300 mg/cm¹¹, or between 150 mg/cm¹¹ and 250 mg/cm¹¹, or between 180 mg/cm¹¹ and 220 mg/cm¹¹. The body of material in the first or second aspect can be adjacent to an upstream end of the aerosol-generating portion. Alternatively or in addition, the body of material in the first or second aspects can be adjacent to an upstream end of the cavity. Alternatively or in addition, the body of material in the first or second aspects can be at the upstream end of the article.

The article can further comprise an aerosol cooling section downstream of the aerosolgenerating portion. The aerosol cooling section can comprise a cavity.

The aerosol-generating material in the first or second aspect can comprise an aerosol- former in an amount from 10% to 30% of the aerosol-generating material on a dry weight basis.

The body of material in the first or second aspect can comprise an aerosol-former in an amount from 10% to 30% of the body of material on a dry weight basis.

The article in the first or second aspect can further comprise a second body of material arranged immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating portion.

The aerosol-generating material in the first or second aspect can comprise a mixture of at least two aerosol-generating materials. At least one of the aerosol-generating materials can be in particulate form. At least one of the aerosol-generating materials can comprise microcapsules. At least one of the at least two-aerosol-generating materials can comprise granular botanical material, optionally granular tobacco material or granular non-tobacco material.

The microcapsules can be heat-activated and/or pressure-activated to release the capsule payload.

The aerosol-generating portion in the first or second aspect can be circumscribed by a first wrapping material and a connecting wrapper. The connecting wrapper can overlie at least two thirds of the length of the aerosol-generating portion. At least one of the first wrapping material and the connecting wrapper can comprise an aerosolgenerating material and/or an aerosol modifying agent.

The first wrapping material can comprise an aerosol-generating material and the connecting wrapper can be substantially free of aerosol-generating material. The first wrapping material can be provided inwardly of the connecting wrapper.

Each of the first wrapping material and the connecting wrapper can overlie the full length of the aerosol-generating portion.

At least one of the first wrapping material and the connecting wrapper can be arranged to circumscribe the body of material.

At least one of the first wrapping material and the connecting wrapper can be non- combustible, optionally the at least one of the first wrapping material and the connecting wrapper can comprises metal foil and/or a non-combustible paper.

The body of material can be circumscribed by a third wrapping material. The third wrapping material can be an innermost wrapper. The third wrapping material can be non-combustible. Optionally the third wrapping material can comprise metal foil and/or a non-combustible paper.

The body of material in the first or second aspect can comprise a sheet material.

Optionally the sheet material can be gathered into the body of material, and/or the sheet material can be in the form of strips of sheet material.

The sheet material can comprise one or more portions of sheet material having a combined width of between 100mm and 240mm or between 140mm and 200mm. A resistance to draw through the length of the body of material in the first or second aspect can be between 5% and 25%, or between 10% and 20%, or between 15% and 20% of the resistance to draw through the length of the article.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, in a third aspect there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising an article according to the first or second aspect above, and a non-combustible aerosol provision device configured to receive and cause the heating of the aerosol-generating portion of the article. Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Figure 1 is a side-on cross-sectional view of an article for use in an aerosol provision system, comprising an aerosol-generating portion and a component positioned at an upstream end of the article;

Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of the component of Figure 1, along the line X-X’ of

Figure 1;

Figure 2B is a side-on view of the sheet material forming the component of material of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side-on cross-sectional view of a further article for use in an aerosol provision system;

Figure 4 is a side-on cross-sectional view of a further article for use in an aerosol provision system including a further component at an upstream end of the article; and Figure 5 is a side-on cross-sectional view of an article for use in an aerosol provision system, comprising a further component downstream of the aerosol-generating portion.

Detailed Description

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

Figure 1 is a side-on cross-sectional view of an article 1 for use in an aerosol provision system. In the present case, the article 1 is for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system.

The article 1 comprises an aerosol-generating portion, in the present case a cylindrical rod of aerosol-generating material 2, and a mouthpiece 3 downstream from and connected to the aerosol-generating portion. The article 1 may be used within a heating device to form a non-combustible aerosol provision system. In other examples, the article 1 can include its own heat source, forming an aerosol provision system without requiring a separate aerosol provision device. The article also includes a component 4 at an upstream end of the article. The component 4 includes a body of material 5 wrapped in a component wrapping material 6. In the present case, the component wrapping material 6 is a paper plug wrap. In some examples, the component wrapping material 6 is non-combustible. In some examples, the component wrapping material 6 can be formed from paper which is treated, coated or laminated with another material such that it is non-combustible, such as a foil backed paper. The construction of component 4 is described in more detail below, with reference to Figure 2A.

In the present example, the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 is wrapped in a first wrapping material 10. In the present example, the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 comprises tobacco material. The tobacco material may suitably be provided in the form of cut rag tobacco, dry ice expanded tobacco (DIET), strands and/ or strips of reconstituted tobacco, or granular tobacco material. Optionally, the aerosol-generating material may comprise a blend of tobacco material and aerosol-generating material in another form. In some examples, the aerosol-generating material may be particulate aerosol-generating material. Examples of particulate aerosol-generating material include granular botanical material, granular tobacco material, granular non-tobacco botanical material and microcapsules of aerosol-generating material. For instance, the aerosol-generating material may comprise tobacco material and beads or granules of an aerosol-generating material, such as gel or aerosol-generating film components, capsules, or microcapsules.

The capsules or microcapsules can be heat-activated and/or pressure-activated to release the capsule payload. In some embodiments, the capsules or microcapsules can be arranged to release their payload, for instance in the form of a liquid payload, when exposed to temperatures greater than too degrees centigrade, or greater than 150 degrees centigrade. Alternatively or in addition, the capsules or microcapsules can be arranged to release their payload upon exposure to force applied to the capsules.

In other examples, the aerosol-generating material 2 maybe a non-tobacco botanical material, optionally including an active material or substance as described herein. In some examples, the aerosol-generating material comprises an aerosol-former in an amount from 10% to 30% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The rod of aerosol-generating material 2 may have a bulk density in the range 50 mg/ cm3 to 350 mg/ cm3, for instance too mg/ cm3 to 300 mg/ cm3, _Or between 150 mg/cm3 and 250 mg/cirf¹, or between 180 mg/cirf¹ and 220 mg/cirf¹ or between too mg/cm3 and 200 mg/cm'¹. In some examples described herein, the aerosol -generating material is provided in a cavity, rather than as a rod, and the density of the aerosolgenerating material in the cavity may be less than too mg per cm3 _of the cavity. For example, the bulk density of the aerosol-generating material in the cavity may be between 5 mg per cm3 _of the cavity and 90 mg per cm3 _of the cavity, for instance between 10 mg per cm3 _of the cavity and 80 mg per cm3 _of the cavity, or between 15 g per cm3 of the cavity and 70 mg per cm3 of the cavity. In the present example, the rod of aerosol-generating material has a bulk density of about 265 mg/cm'¹.

The bulk density of aerosol-generating material 2 can be calculated by taking the total weight of the rod 2, excluding the weight of any wrappers around the rod 2 and any other components which are not aerosol-generating material, and dividing the resulting weight by the volume defined by the inner surface of the wrapper 10.

The body of material 5 arranged upstream of the aerosol-generating portion can be arranged to retain the aerosol-generating material 2 in the rod.

In the present example, the mouthpiece 3 includes a cooling section 13, positioned downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2. In the present example, the cooling section 13 is in an abutting relationship with the rod of aerosol-generating material 2. In other examples, additional components may be provided between the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 and the cooling section 13. In the present example, the cooling section 13 includes a cavity, although other forms of cooling arrangement can be used. In the present example, the cooling section 13 is formed as a tubular element defining an outer wall of the cavity.

In some examples, an inner surface of the first wrapping material 10 defines a cavity in which the aerosol-generating material is provided. The cavity may have a volume of at least too mm3, and be at least partially filled with particulate aerosol-generating material. The first wrapping material to can, for instance, be a paper or paper-backed foil wrapper. In some examples, the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 is circumscribed by two or more wrappers over at least a portion of its length, so as to provide increased stability and/or firmness to the rod of aerosol -generating material 2. In the present example, the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 is circumscribed by a first wrapping material 10 and a connecting wrapper 7. In some examples, the connecting wrapper 7 overlies at least two thirds of the length of the aerosol-generating portion, for instance at least two thirds of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 in the present case.

The rod of aerosol-generating material 2 may have a length, L. The portion of the length of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 circumscribed by the first wrapping material 10 and the connecting wrapper 7 may be at least a third of the length L, or at least half of the length L, preferably at least two thirds of the length L. Preferably, the entire or full length L of the rod of aerosol -generating material 2 is circumscribed by at least the first wrapping material 10 and the connecting wrapper 7. At least one of the first wrapping material 10 and the connecting wrapper 7 can include an aerosol -generating material and/or an aerosol modifying agent. The first wrapping material 10 can, for instance, include an aerosol-generating material and the connecting wrapper 7 can be substantially free of aerosol-generating material. This can, for instance, be the case where the first wrapping material 10 is provided inwardly of the connecting wrapper 7.

In the present case, the connecting wrapper 7 is a paper wrapper. In other examples, the connecting wrapper 7 may be a paper backed foil wrapper, or a metal foil. Suitably, the connecting wrapper 7 has a tensile strength of at least 2.5 kgf/ 15mm, for instance at least 3 kgf/ 15mm, or at least 3.5 kgf/ 15mm. The tensile strength of the connecting wrapper 7 may be determined in accordance with the test method T 494.

In some examples, the connecting wrapper 7 has a permeability of at least 3 Coresta Units. In some examples, the connecting wrapper 7 has a permeability of at least 5

Coresta Units, at least 10 Coresta Units, or at least 20 Coresta Units. In some examples, this permeability is an inherent property of the connecting wrapper 7. In other examples, the connecting wrapper 7 may be provided with perforations to increase the material permeability. In some examples, the combined permeability of the rod wrapper 10 and the connecting wrapper 7, together with any intermediate layer of adhesive, is at least 25 Coresta Units, or at least 30 Coresta Units, or at least 50 Coresta Units. The combined permeability of the rod wrapper 10 and the connecting wrapper 7 together with any intermediate layer of adhesive may be determined by breaking down the article 1 to separate the wrapping materials from the rod of aerosol-generating material, and measuring the total permeability through the wrapping materials surrounding the rod of aerosol-generating material, i.e., the rod wrapper 10, the connecting wrapper 7, and any intermediate layer of adhesive, in accordance with ISO 2965:2019.

In some examples, connecting wrapper 7 has a basis weight between about 27 gsm and about 70 gsm, for instance between about 36 gsm and about 50 gsm, or about 36 gsm, about 41 gsm, about 44 gsm or about 48 gsm. Using a basis weight in these ranges provides a configuration having improved firmness and resilience of the article, for instance during and after use of the article with a heating device as described herein. In some examples, the rod of aerosol-generating material may be circumscribed by a further wrapper, provided inwardly of the first wrapping material 10.

In some examples, the first wrapping material 10 may comprise a coating, for instance on an inner surface of the wrapper, of an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol- generating film may be laminated on an inner surface of the first wrapping material 10.

Additionally or alternatively, the first wrapping material 10 may be impregnated with an aerosol-former or an aerosol-modifying agent.

The provision of an innermost first wrapping material 10 comprising an aerosol- generating material, or an aerosol-former, may help to boost or complement the flavour or composition of the aerosol provided by the article 1.

The provision of an outer wrapping material, such as the connecting wrapper 7, which overlies the inner wrapping material comprising an aerosol-generating material or aerosol former can provide a dual benefit of providing additional strength to the rod 2, whilst also preventing the aerosol-generating material or aerosol-former on the inner wrapping material from coming into contact with a user’s fingers or the interior of a heating device.

In the present example, a tipping paper 9 is wrapped around the full length of the mouthpiece 3 and over part of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2, and has an adhesive on its inner surface to connect the mouthpiece 3 and rod 2. In the present example, the tipping paper 9 extends 5 mm over the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 but it can alternatively extend between 3 mm and 15 mm over the rod 2, or between 4 mm and 6 mm, to provide a secure attachment between the mouthpiece 3 and rod 2.

The component 4 is connected to the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 by the connecting wrapper 7. In the present case, the connecting wrapper 7 comprises a paper wrapping material. In other examples, the connecting wrapper 7 may be a paper backed foil wrapping material, or a metal foil. Similarly, in other examples, the component wrapping material 6 can be a metal foil, optionally a paper-backed metal foil.

The connecting wrapper 7 is adhered to both the component 4 and the rod of aerosolgenerating material 2. At least part of the inner surface of the connecting wrapper 7 is covered by a layer of adhesive. It has been surprisingly found that applying a reduced amount of adhesive to the connecting wrapper 7 can result in the formation of an improved aerosol. This may be achieved by reducing the thickness of the layer of adhesive, or preferably by providing gaps in the layer of adhesive. Preferably, the layer of adhesive is discontinuous. For example, prior to combining the component 4 and the tobacco rod 2, adhesive may be applied to the connecting wrapper 7 in bands, such that the remaining portions of the connecting wrapper 7 are entirely free of adhesive.

When the connecting wrapper 7 with bands of adhesive is wound around the component 4 and the rod of aerosol-generating material 2, portions of the component 4 and the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 may be free of adhesive. The bands of adhesive may extend in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the article, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article, or at another angle, such as diagonal to the longitudinal axis. Providing a discontinuous layer of adhesive on the inner surface of the connecting wrapper 7 may advantageously improve the ease of manufacture of the article 1, since less of the connecting wrapper 7 is wetted by the adhesive which can result in a higher tensile strength of the connecting wrapper 7 during manufacture. Other means of vaiying or reducing the amount of adhesive applied to the connecting wrapper 7 may be employed. For instance, the adhesive layer may be applied in a different pattern, for instance a dot matrix. Preferably, at least a portion of the area of the inner surface of the connecting wrapper 7 is free of adhesive. Suitably, at least 30%, at least 40%, or at least 50% of the area of the inner surface of the connecting wrapper 7 is free of adhesive.

Suitably, the connecting wrapper 7 has a tensile strength of at least 2.5 kgf/ 15mm, for instance at least 3 kgf/ 15mm, or at least 3.5 kgf/ 15mm. The tensile strength of the connecting wrapper 7 may be determined in accordance with the test method T 494.

In some examples, the connecting wrapper 7 has a permeability of at least 3 Coresta Units. In some examples, the connecting wrapper 7 has a permeability of at least 5 Coresta Units, at least 10 Coresta Units, or at least 20 Coresta Units. In some examples, this permeability is an inherent property of the connecting wrapper 7. In other examples, the connecting wrapper 7 may be provided with perforations to increase the material permeability. In some examples, the combined permeability of the first wrapping material 10 and the connecting wrapper 7, together with any intermediate layer of adhesive, is at least 25 Coresta Units, or at least 30 Coresta Units, or at least 50 Coresta Units. The combined permeability of the first wrapping material 10 and the connecting wrapper 7 together with any intermediate layer of adhesive may be determined by breaking down the article 1 to separate the wrapping materials from the rod of aerosol-generating material, and measuring the total permeability through the wrapping materials surrounding the rod of aerosol-generating material, i.e., the first wrapping material 10, the connecting wrapper 7, and any intermediate layer of adhesive, in accordance with ISO 2965:2019.

Preferably, at least one of the component wrapping material 6 and the connecting wrapper 7 comprises a non-combustible material, suitably a metal foil or a combustionretarding layer or coating. Advantageously, providing an article where the upstream end of the article is circumscribed by a non-combustible material, such as a metal foil or a combustion-retarding layer or coating, may prevent a user of the article from lighting the article in the manner of a conventional cigarette, where the article is not intended for such use. In some examples, component wrapping material 6 has a basis weight between about 25 gsm and about 70 gsm, for instance about 27 gsm, 36 gsm, about 41 gsm, or about 44 gsm. The ignition propensity of a paper wrapping material for use in an article may be determined according to ISO 5729:2021.

As set out in greater detail below, providing the component 4 at an upstream end of the article 1 can provide several advantages. For instance, the stability of the article 1, in use, may be improved, by preventing fall-out of aerosol-generating material from the upstream end of the article. Where the component 4 comprises a body of material having a resistance to draw between about 1% and 30% of the resistance to draw of the article 1 this can also result in greater consistency of resistance to draw between articles, since the contribution of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 to the overall resistance to draw of the article 1 is relatively less. Advantageously, the relatively high resistance to draw of the component 4 can make the overall resistance to draw of the article 1 less sensitive to variations in the resistance to draw of the rod of aerosolgenerating material 2. In the present case, the component 4 is adjacent to an upstream end of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2. In other examples, more than one component may be provided upstream of the rod of aerosol-generating material. For example, a first component 4 may be provided at the upstream end of the article, and a second component may be provided in between the first component 4 and the rod of aerosol- generating material 2.

In the present example, the article 1 has an outer circumference of about 21 mm (i.e. the article is in the demi-slim format). Preferably, the article 1 has a rod of aerosolgenerating material having a circumference greater than 19mm. This has been found to provide a sufficient circumference to generate an improved and sustained aerosol over a usual aerosol generation session preferred by consumers. As the article is heated, heat transfers through the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 to volatise components of the aerosol-generating material, and circumferences greater than 19mm have been found to be particularly effective at producing an aerosol in this way. Since the article is to be heated to release an aerosol, improved heating efficiency can be achieved using articles having circumferences of less than about 23mm. To achieve improved aerosol via heating, while maintaining a suitable product length, rod circumferences of greater than 19mm and less than 23mm are preferable. In some examples, the rod circumference can be between 20mm and 22mm, which has been found to provide a good balance between providing effective aerosol deliveiy while allowing for efficient heating.

The outer circumference of the mouthpiece 2 is substantially the same as the outer circumference of the rod of aerosol-generating material 3, such that there is a smooth transition between these components. In the present example, the outer circumference of the mouthpiece 2 is about 20.8mm.

The mouthpiece 3 also includes, in the present example, a mouthpiece body 14 downstream of the cooling section 13, and a hollow tubular element 15 downstream of the mouthpiece body 14, at the mouth end of the article 1. In other examples, the hollow tubular element 15 may be omitted, and the mouthpiece body 14 may form the mouth end of the article. In some examples where the hollow tubular element 15 is omitted, the length of the mouthpiece body 14 may be increased, or a further body of material may be provided at the mouth end. In the present example, the cooling section 13 defines an air gap within the mouthpiece.

The air gap provides a chamber through which heated volatilised components generated by the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 flow. The cooling section 13 is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol accumulation yet rigid enough to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that might arise during manufacture and whilst the article 1 is in use. The cooling section 13 provides a physical displacement between the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 and downstream portions of the mouthpiece 3.

Preferably, the internal volume of the cooling section 13 is greater than 130 mm3. Providing a cavity of at least this volume has been found to enable the formation of an improved aerosol. Such a cavity size provides sufficient space within the mouthpiece 2 to allow heated volatilised components to cool, therefore allowing the exposure of the aerosol-generating material 2 to higher temperatures than would otherwise be possible, since they may result in an aerosol which is too warm. More preferably, the mouthpiece 3 comprises a cavity having an internal volume greater than 170 mm3, and still more preferably greater than 200 mm3, allowing further improvement of the aerosol. In some examples, the internal cavity comprises a volume of between about 130 mm3 and about 700 mm3 and, preferably, between about 160 mm3 and about 700 mm3. For example, the internal cavity may have a volume between about 170 mm3 and about 300 mm3.

The cavity can be configured to provide a temperature differential of at least 40 degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first, upstream end of the cavity and a heated volatilised component exiting a second, downstream end of the cavity. The cavity is preferably configured to provide a temperature differential of at least 60 degrees Celsius, preferably at least 80 degrees Celsius and more preferably at least too degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first, upstream end of the cavity and a heated volatilised component exiting a second, downstream end of the cavity. This temperature differential across the length of the cavity can protect temperature sensitive elements of the mouthpiece downstream of the cavity from the high temperatures of the aerosol-generating material 2 when it is heated.

Preferably, the length of the cooling section 13 is less than about 50 mm. More preferably, the length of the cooling section 13 is less than about 40 mm. Still more preferably, the length of the cooling section 13 is less than about 35 mm. In addition, or as an alternative, the length of the cooling section 13 is preferably at least about 10 mm. Preferably, the length of the cooling section 13 is at least about 15 mm.

In some preferred embodiments, the length of the cooling section 13 is from about 15 mm to about 35 mm, more preferably from about 20 mm to about 30 mm, even more preferably from about 23 to about 27 mm, most preferably about 25 mm. In the present example, the length of the cooling section 13 is 25 mm.

In the present example, the cooling section 13 is formed from a plurality of layers of paper which are parallel wound, with butted seams, to form a hollow tube. In the present example, first and second paper layers are provided in a two-ply tube, although in other examples 3, 4 or more paper layers can be used forming 3, 4 or more ply tubes. Other constructions can be used, such as spirally wound layers of paper, cardboard tubes, tubes formed using a papier-mache type process, moulded or extruded plastic tubes or similar. In some embodiments, the cooling section 13 preferably has a wall thickness of at least about 50 pm and up to about 1 mm, preferably between too pm and 500 pm and more preferably between too pm and 150 pm. In the present example, the cooling section 13 has a wall thickness of about 150 pm. The "wall thickness" of the cooling section corresponds to the thickness of the wall of the hollow tube in a radial direction, not including any surrounding material in which the hollow tube may be embedded. The wall thickness of the cooling section 13 may be measured, for example, using a caliper.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the wall of the cooling section 13 is at least 50 microns and, preferably, at least 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, too, or 105 microns. In some embodiments, the thickness of the wall of the cooling section is at least too or no microns.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the wall of the cooling section 13 is less than 1000 microns and, preferably, less than 500 microns.

The cooling section 13, mouthpiece body 14 and hollow tubular element 15 are connected by a wrapping material 11. In the present example, the article 1 is provided with first and second parallel rows of perforations 12 through the tipping material 9 and cooling section 13, providing ventilation into the mouthpiece 3. In the present case, the perforations 12 are formed as laser perforations, at positions about 18 mm and about 19 mm respectively from the downstream, mouth-end 3b of the mouthpiece 3. In other examples, the ventilation can be provided into the mouthpiece 3 at other locations.

In the present embodiment, the mouthpiece body 14 is a filter. However, it should be recognised that in other examples the mouthpiece body 14 may be provided without substantially filtering the aerosol generated by the article 1.

The mouthpiece body 14 is formed from fibrous material. In the present example, the mouthpiece body 14 is formed from a sheet material. In the present example, the sheet material is paper. The sheet material may be folded to form the mouthpiece body 14. The mouthpiece body 14 may be formed from a continuous web of sheet material. In the present example, the sheet material is gathered to form the body 14 in a similar manner to a ‘crepe filter’. The hollow tubular element 15 is positioned at the mouth end of the article 1. In the present example, the hollow tubular element 15 is formed from a plurality of layers of paper which are parallel wound, with butted seams, to form a hollow tube, as described in relation to the cooling section 13. The hollow tubular element 15 may be formed according to any of the means described for the cooling section 13 and may have any wall thickness as described in relation to the cooling section 13.

Advantageously, each of the components used to form the article, except the aerosol- generating material, is substantially formed from paper, to improve the biodegradability and sustainability of the article.

Preferably, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is less than about 20 mm. More preferably, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is less than about 15 mm. Still more preferably, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is less than about 10 mm.

In addition, or as an alternative, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is at least about 5 mm. Preferably, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is at least about 6 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is from about 5 mm to about 20 mm, more preferably from about 6 mm to about 10 mm, even more preferably from about 6 mm to about 8 mm, most preferably about 6 mm, 7 mm or about 8 mm. In the present example the hollow tubular element 15 has a length of 6 mm.

Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of the component 4 of Figure 1 through the line X-X’ thereof. The component 4 is illustrated in isolation of the remaining parts of the article 1, and includes the body of material 5 and component wrapping material 6. As illustrated, the body of material 5 is formed from a crimped and gathered sheet of material 8. The sheet 8 is gathered laterally to form the body 5, which has a generally cylindrical outer shape.

In some examples, the sheet 8 has a permeability of between about 1,000 and about 50,000 Coresta Units, in some examples between about 5,000 and about 50,000 Coresta Units. Such levels of permeability have been advantageously found to result in a component 4 in which the material forming the body 5 is more evenly distributed within the body 5, and less likely to form channels extending longitudinally through the body 5. For a given weight of sheet material 8, the increased permeability therefore results in a higher resistance to draw through the length of the body 5. This means that a lower average density of sheet material 8 can be used in the body 5 to achieve a desired resistance to draw, thus saving on material. In addition, a sheet material 8 having a higher permeability also has a more open structure, and therefore for degradable materials this can result in an improvement in the time for the component 4 to degrade. Where additives are to be applied in liquid form to the sheet material 8, the increased permeability can also result in a sheet material 8 which is more absorbent, meaning that a larger volume of additive can be applied for a given weight of material.

The permeability of the sheet of material 7 can be measured according to the international standard ISO 2965:2019, as known to those skilled in the art. Biodegradability can be measured according to the procedure set out under ISO 14855- 2:2018. Components as described herein can achieve a biodegradation of greater than 50% in

30 days when exposed to either fresh or marine water. In other examples, the sheet material may have a low porosity or be non-porous, having for example, a porosity of less than 1000 Coresta Units, or less than 100 Coresta Units, for instance less than 50 Coresta Units. In some examples, the sheet material 8 may comprise a metal foil. For instance, the sheet material 8 may be a metal foil, or a paper backed metal foil.

In the present example, the body 5 has a resistance to draw of between o mmH₂0 and 30 mmH₂0, for instance between 5 mmH₂0 and 25 mmH₂0, or between 10 mmH₂0 and 20 mmH₂0. Preferably, the body 5 has a resistance to draw of between o mmH₂0 and 20 mmH₂0. This resistance to draw can be between 1% and 30% of the resistance to draw across the article, for instance between 5% and 25%, or between 10% and 20%.

Advantageously, providing a component 4 having a resistance to draw between 5% and 25% of the resistance to draw across the article at a position upstream of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 reduces the relative contribution of the rod of aerosolgenerating material to the overall resistance to draw of the article. As a consequence, the overall resistance to draw of the article 1 is less sensitive to variations in the resistance to draw of the rod of aerosol-generating material, which may occur due to the organic nature of the tobacco material, and it is also possible to provide a higher level of ventilation into the rod of aerosol-generating material whilst keeping the overall resistance to draw through the length of the article i at an acceptable level. Ventilation may be provided into the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 such that the overall level of ventilation of the article i is between 10% and 60%, or between 25% and

80%, for instance up to 70%, up to 65%, up to 60%, up to 55%, or up to 50%.

The resistance to draw of the body 5 (and other resistance to draw and pressure drop measurements referred to herein) is measured according to the ISO standard method (1806565:2015). The resistance to draw refers to the ‘closed resistance to draw’, in which any ventilation zones into the article or body under measurement are closed.

In some examples, the resistance to draw of the body 5 is at least 5 mmH₂0, or at least 7 mmH₂0, or at least 8 mm H₂0.

In some examples, the resistance to draw of the body 5 is at least 1.1 mmH₂0 per mm length of the body, or at least 1.5 mm H₂0 per mm length of the body, or at least 2 mmH₂0 per mm length of the body . The article 1 in the present example has a ventilation level of about 70% of the aerosol drawn through the article 1. In other examples, the article 1 can advantageously have a ventilation level of between 20% and 60%. These values can provide an appropriate balance between the promotion of aerosol formation which can be enhanced by ventilation, and keeping the concentration of the components of the aerosol at a desired level.

In the present example the body 5 is formed by a single gathered sheet of material 8.

However, in alternative examples, the body 5 may be formed from a plurality of sheets of material 8, which are gathered together to form the body 5. Each of the plurality of sheets of material may have the same or different properties, for instance their dimensions, permeability, thickness, basis weight, and composition.

In other examples, the body of material 5 may be formed from gathered strips of a sheet material. For instance, sheet material 8 may be cut into strips prior to being formed into the body 5. The one or more sheets 8 forming the body 5 can be formed from a cellulosic material. For instance, the one or more sheets can be paper sheets, sheets of tobacco material, sheets of non-tobacco botanical material or combinations thereof. The one or more sheets 8 forming the body 5 can have a basis weight of between about 20 and about 80 gsm, or between about 30 and about 50 gsm, or between about 36 and about 45 gsm, or between about 55 and about 75 gsm. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more sheets can have an uncrimped thickness of between about 50 pm and about 500 pm, between about 50 pm and about 350 pm, between about 60 pm and about 300 pm, or between about 60 pm and about 160 pm.

In some examples, the sheet material 8 can comprise a metal foil, for instance aluminium foil, optionally a paper-backed aluminium foil. In other examples, the sheet material may comprise an aerosol-generating material, for example, a paper reconstituted tobacco material, or an aerosol-generating film. Optionally, the aerosol- generating film may be laminated on a supporting material, such as paper.

The body of material 5 can have a weight of from about 5 mg to about 15 mg per mm of length of said body, or between about 8 mg and about 12 mg per mm of length of said body, or about 10 mg per mm of length of said body. In some examples, the body of material has a weight of about 6 mg per mm of length of said body.

The one or more sheets 8 forming the body of material 5 can have a combined width, prior to any crimping, of between 100mm and 240mm, for instance between 140mm and 200mm. Such widths can provide a good balance between the pressure drop through the length of the body of material 5 and the firmness of the body of material 5.

The one or more sheets 8 can be crimped to increase the amount of sheet material that can be included in the body 5. At least one of the one of more sheets 8 extending through the body 5 can include a crimped sheet material formed having a crimp pattern including a series of substantially parallel ridges and grooves.

In the present example, the sheet material 8 is crimped prior to being formed into the body 5. For instance, the sheet material 8 may be passed through a pair of crimping rollers. In the present example, the first body 5 comprises crimped sheet material 8 formed having a crimp pattern comprising a series of substantially parallel ridges and grooves. The crimping may make it easier to gather the sheet material 8 to form the body 5. The crimping may also increase the width of sheet material 8 that can be used to form a body 5 of a particular volume. Increasing the width of sheet material 8 in the body 5 may increase the available surface area of the sheet material in the body 5, which can increase the amount of moisture that may be absorbed by the body 5. Thus, increased amounts of condensate can be absorbed by the body 5, resulting in a more hygienic user experience when the article 1 is used in a non-combustible aerosol provision device.

In the present example, the average spacing between adjacent ridges of the sheet material 8 is greater than about 0.3 mm. In addition, in the present example, the crimp amplitude is less than about 0.7 mm.

The crimp amplitude (also known as “crimping factor”) refers to the depth of the grooves the crimping forms in the sheet material 8 forming the body. That is, crimping the sheet material 8 produces a plurality of peaks and troughs in the sheet material 8 when viewed from a first side of the sheet material 8, as shown in Figure 2B, wherein the crimp amplitude ‘A’ is the depth of the troughs, measured from their peak. The crimping may form a ‘Zig-Zag’ formation or another shape. In some examples, adjacent grooves of the crimped sheet material 8 are spaced by a distance, or have a pitch ‘P’, in the range of 0.3 to 2 mm and, preferably, in the range of 0.4 to 1 mm. In some embodiments, adjacent grooves of the crimped sheet material are spaced by a distance in the range of 0.1 to 3 mm and, preferably, in the range of 0.2 to 2 mm. In some embodiments, adjacent grooves of the crimped sheet material 10 are spaced by a distance of at least 0.1 mm and, preferably, at least, 0.2, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 or 3 mm. In some embodiments, adjacent grooves of the crimped sheet material are spaced by a distance of at most 3 mm, for instance, at most, 2.5, 2, 1, 1.5, 0.7, 0.5, 0.2 or 0.1 mm. For instance, the sheet material 8 can have a crimp with a crimp amplitude of less than 500 pm and spacing between peaks (or troughs) of at least 300 pm, at least 400 pm or at least 500 pm.

In some embodiments, the sheet material 8 is heated as it is crimped. For example, the sheet material 8 may be passed between crimping rollers, wherein one or both of the crimping rollers is heated. For example, one or both of the rollers may be heated to a temperature of up to too degrees Celsius, for example 50 degrees Celsius or 60 degrees Celsius. The amount of pressure applied to the sheet material passing between the rollers may also be varied. Heating the roller/s or applying a higher level of pressure to the sheet material can result in a higher level of crimping. For example, the crimp can be applied using a roller surface with a temperature of greater than 30 °C, greater than 40⁰ C or greater than 50⁰ C. The average density of the body 5 can be between about 0.1 and about 0.25 mg/mm ¹. In the present example, the density of the body of material 5 is about 190 mg/cm¹¹.

In some examples, the density of the body of material is between about 50 and about 400 mg/cm¹¹, between about too and about 300 mg/cm'¹, between about 150 and about 200 mg/cm¹¹ or between about 160 and about 190 mg/cm¹¹- In some embodiments, the body 5 has a density of at least too mg/cm¹¹, 120 mg/cm¹¹ or 150 mg/cm¹¹. The density of a body of material can be measured by separating said body from an article and surrounding plug wraps and/or tipping paper, and removing any embedded objects, but including any additives added to the sheet material 8. The density may be calculated as a bulk density based on the weight of the sheet material 8 and any additives added to the sheet material 8, and the overall volume occupied by the sheet material 8. For instance, the overall volume of the body of material 5 measured inside the plug wrap 6.

In some examples, the body of material is not formed from a sheet material, but from another fibrous material, such as cotton.

In some examples, aerosol-modifying agent or aerosol former may be added to the material forming the body of material. For example, a flavour carrier, an active substance as defined herein such as nicotine, and/or glycerol may be applied to the sheet material 8 before forming the body of material 5. In some examples, the body of material 5 includes an aerosol-generating film comprising lactic acid, for instance as described in WO 2021/105449.

In some examples, the body 5 comprises aerosol-former in an amount from 10% to 30% by weight.

In other examples, the body of material 5 comprises aerosol former in an amount less than 5% by weight. In other examples, the body of material 5 comprises a combustion retarding material, for instance a combustion retarding salt and an aerosol-generating film, as described in WO 2020/183163 Al, or a salt gel. In some embodiments, the combustion retarding salt is incorporated into an amorphous solid material, to form a salt gel as referred to herein. This means that the combustion retarding salt is included within the amorphous solid composition. For example, during the preparation of the amorphous solid material, a liquid precursor of the amorphous solid material is mixed with combustion retarding salt. This distributes the combustion retarding salt throughout the resultant amorphous solid material. In some embodiments, the distribution of the combustion retarding salt is even throughout the amorphous solid and this may be advantageous as the combustion retarding effect is effective across all of the material. The combustion retarding salt may be added in the form of a solution or suspension.

Alternatively, the combustion retarding salt may be added to the liquid precursor in solid form, for example in particulate form, such as a powder.

In other embodiments, the combustion retarding salt is added or applied to an amorphous solid material. For example, once the amorphous solid material has been prepared, a solution or suspension comprising the combustion retarding salt is applied to the surface of the amorphous solid material, to deposit the combustion retarding salt on the surface of the amorphous solid material. In the present example, the component 4 has a length of about 6 mm. In alternative embodiments the component 4 may have any length in the range of about 3 mm to about 15 mm, preferably about 4 mm to about 6 mm.

The outer circumference of the component 4 is substantially the same as the outer circumference of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2, such that there is a smooth transition between these components.

Although only a single body of material 5 has been described with reference to the drawings, in alternative embodiments, the articles 1, 1’ of Figures 1 to 3 may include additional sections, such as additional bodies of material or other sections such as tubular sections. The additional sections may be immediately upstream, immediately downstream of the component 4, or both, and may be formed from any materials suitable for use in the article described herein. Figure 3 is a side-on cross-sectional view of a further article 1’ for use in a noncombustible aerosol provision system. The article 1’ is substantially the same as the article 1, except for the arrangement of wrappers connecting the components of the article. In the present case the mouthpiece 3, comprising cooling section 13, mouthpiece body 14 and hollow tubular element 15 connected by wrapping material 11, is joined to the rod of aerosol -generating material 2 and the component 4 by a further wrapper 17, which extends along substantially the entire length of the article 1’. In the present example, the further wrapper 17 comprises paper. The further wrapper 17 can be a tipping paper such as the tipping paper 9 used in the article 1 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side-on cross-sectional view of a further article 1”, comprising an additional component 41 at the upstream end of the article. The article 1” is substantially the same as the article 1, except that the length of the component 4' is reduced in the present example, compared to the length of the component 4 of Figure 1, and the additional component 41 is provided upstream of the component 4’. In the present example, each of the components 4’, 41 have a length of 3 mm, such that the combined length of the components 4’, 41 is the same as the component 4 of Figure 1.

In other examples, components 4’, 41 may have any suitable length as described above in relation to component 4.

In the present example, the body of material 5’ of the downstream component 4’ may preferably comprise an aerosol former, or an aerosol-modifying agent, both as described herein. The provision of an aerosol former or an aerosol-modifying agent in the body 4’ may result in the generation of an improved aerosol.

The provision of adjacent components 4’, 41 at the upstream end of the article 1” may advantageously provide a displacement of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 from the distal end of a heating arrangement into which the article 1” is inserted, in use, towards an area where the aerosol-generating material may be heated more effectively. Such effect may be further enhanced by the provision of a component 41 at the upstream end of the article 1” which is arranged to act as a heat exchanger, and may advantageously improve the transfer of heat into the air flowing into the article 1”. This may be achieved, for instance, by providing a component 41 comprising a body 51 formed from strips comprising a metal foil, for instance aluminium foil.

In examples where the upstream component 41 comprises strips of a metal foil, and the downstream component 4’ comprises an aerosol former or an aerosol-modifying agent, the aerosol generated by the article in use may be particularly improved. The combined effect of the upstream component 41 improving the heating of air passing into the article 1” and the downstream component 4’ providing additional aerosol former or aerosol-modifying agent may advantageously result in an improved experience for the consumer of the article 1”, in use.

In the present example, the additional component 41 comprises a body of material 51.

The body of material 51 may be formed in any suitable way and from any material as described in relation to body of material 5. In the present example, the body of material 51 comprises strands or strips of material, which are gathered to form the body 51. In the present example, the strands or strips are aluminium foil.

The components 4’, 41 are each circumscribed by first wrapping material 6’, 61, and combined by connecting wrapper 7, as described above in relation to Figure 1. In alternative examples, the components 4’, 41 may be combined by a further wrapping material, prior to being combined with the rod of aerosol-generating material by connecting wrapper 7.

Figure 5 is a side-on cross-sectional view of a further article 1”’, in which a second, or additional, component 411 is provided downstream of the aerosol-generating portion 2. In some examples, the first and second components 4 and 411 define a cavity therebetween. Said cavity may suitably be filled with a granular or particulate aerosolgenerating material. In the present example, the additional or second component 411 is substantially the same as the first, upstream component 4. In other examples, the upstream component 4 and the second component 411 may differ. For example, the body 5 of upstream component 4 may be formed from a sheet material comprising a metal foil, while the body 511 of second component 411 may be formed from a sheet material comprising an aerosol-generating or aerosol-modifying agent.

In some examples, the length of the first component 4 may be reduced where the additional component 411 is provided downstream of the aerosol-generating portion, to accommodate the extra length of the component 411 without altering the length of the article 1”’ overall. In other examples, the additional component 411 may have the same length as described in relation to Figures 1 and 3, and the length of the mouthpiece body 14, or the cooling section 13 may be reduced. Providing a body 411 immediately downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 can help to prevent aerosol- generating material from falling out into the cooling section 13, particularly where the aerosol-generating material is provided in particulate form.

In the present example, the body 511 of material of the second component 411 comprises an aerosol former. In the present example the aerosol former is applied to the sheet material forming the body 511. Providing a body 511 downstream of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 can advantageously improve the aerosol generated from the article 1”’, by increasing the aerosol-former content at the beginning of a use session, at which time the aerosol former in the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 may not be fully released. Advantageously, this can reduce the variation in aerosol profile between first and subsequent puffs of the article 1”’, in use.

As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver a substance to a user, and includes: non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosolisable material without combusting the aerosolisable material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosolisable materials; articles comprising aerosolisable material and configured to be used as part of one of these non-combustible aerosol provision systems; and aerosol-free delivery systems, such as lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and smokeless tobacco products such as snus and snuff, which deliver a material to a user without forming an aerosol, wherein the material may or may not comprise nicotine.

According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosolisable material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery to a user. According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosolisable material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery to a user. In embodiments described herein, the delivery system can be a combustible or a non- combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system. The non-combustible aerosol provision system described herein can be 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 aerosolisable material is not a requirement.

The non-combustible aerosol provision system described herein can be a tobacco heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system.

The non-combustible aerosol provision system described herein can be a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosolisable materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosolisable materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosolisable material and a solid aerosolisable material. The solid aerosolisable 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, also referred to as a heating device, and an article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision system. However, it is envisaged that articles which themselves comprise a means for powering an aerosol-generating component may themselves form the non-combustible aerosol provision system.

The non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an article, and a heating device configured to receive and externally heat the article.

The non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. The exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosolisable material or heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source. The power source, such as an exothermic power source, is provided in the article so as to form the non- combustible aerosol provision system.

In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise an aerosolisable material, an aerosol-generating component, an aerosol-generating area, a mouthpiece, and/or an area for receiving aerosolisable material.

In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating component is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosolisable material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolisable material to form an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosolgenerating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without heating. For example, the aerosol-generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means.

In one embodiment, the aerosolisable material may comprise an active material, an aerosol forming material and optionally one or more functional materials. The active material may comprise nicotine (optionally contained in tobacco or a tobacco derivative) or one or more other non-olfactoiy physiologically active materials. A nonolfactory physiologically active material is a material which is included in the aerosolisable material in order to achieve a physiological response other than olfactory perception.

The aerosol forming material may comprise one or more of glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, eiythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. The aerosol forming material is also referred to as the aerosol former, herein.

The one or more functional materials may comprise one or more of flavours, carriers, pH regulators, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosolisable material or an area for receiving aerosolisable material. In one embodiment, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a mouthpiece. The area for receiving aerosolisable material may be a storage area for storing aerosolisable material. For example, the storage area may be a reservoir. In one embodiment, the area for receiving aerosolisable material may be separate from, or combined with, an aerosol-generating area.

Aerosolisable material, which also may be referred to herein as aerosol -generating material, is material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosolisable material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine and/or flavourants. 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 aerosolgenerating 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 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 aerosolgenerating film. The sluriy 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 material comprises an aerosol-generating film that is an amorphous solid. The aerosol-generating film may be a “monolithic solid”.

The aerosol-generating film may be substantially non-fibrous. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating film may be a dried gel. The aerosol-generating film is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 6owt% or 70wt% of aerosol-generating film, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or ioowt% of aerosolgenerating film.

The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially tobacco free.

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

An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance that is able to modify aerosol in use. The agent may modify aerosol in such a way as to create a physiological or sensory effect on the human body. Example aerosol-modifying agents are flavourants and sensates. A sensate creates an organoleptic sensation that can be perceived through the senses, such as a cool or sour sensation.

Articles, for instance those in the shape of rods, are often named according to the product length: “regular” (typically in the range 68 - 75 mm, e.g. from about 68 mm to about 72 mm), “short” or “mini” (68 mm or less), “king size” (typically in the range 75 - 91 mm, e.g. from about 79 mm to about 88 mm), “long” or “super-king” (typically in the range 91 - 105 mm, e.g. from about 94 mm to about 101 mm) and “ultra-long” (typically in the range from about no mm to about 121 mm).

They are also named according to the product circumference: “regular” (about 23 - 25 mm), “wide” (greater than 25 mm), “slim” (about 22 - 23 mm), “demi-slim” (about 19

- 22 mm), “super-slim” (about 16 - 19 mm), and “micro-slim” (less than about 16 mm).

Accordingly, an article in a king-size, super-slim format will, for example, have a length of about 83 mm and a circumference of about 17 mm.

Each format may be produced with mouthpieces of different lengths. The mouthpiece length will be from about 10mm to 50 mm, for instance from 15mm to 35mm. A tipping paper connects the mouthpiece to the aerosol-generating material and will usually have a greater length than the mouthpiece, for example from 3 to 15 mm longer or 3 to 12mm longer, such that the tipping paper covers the mouthpiece and overlaps the aerosol-generating material, for instance in the form of a rod of aerosol-generating material, to connect the mouthpiece to the rod.

Articles and their aerosol-generating materials and components described herein can be made in, but are not limited to, any of the above formats.

The terms ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ used herein are relative terms defined in relation to the direction of mainstream aerosol drawn though an article or device in use.

As used herein, the term “tobacco material” refers to any material comprising tobacco or derivatives or substitutes thereof. The term “tobacco material” may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may comprise one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibre, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, tobacco lamina, reconstituted tobacco and/or tobacco extract.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. One or more flavours can be used as the aerosol-modifying agent described herein. They may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celeiy, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.

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

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

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

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel. In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior delivery of a smoke modifying additives. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/ or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the article comprising an aerosol-generating portion and a body of material arranged upstream of the aerosol-generating portion, wherein the aerosol-generating portion comprises a cavity having a volume of at least too mm3 and containing particulate aerosolgenerating material.

2. An article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the article comprising an aerosol-generating portion, and a body of material arranged upstream of the aerosol-generating portion, wherein the aerosol-generating portion comprises aerosol-generating material, and the bulk density of the aerosol-generating material is between 5 mg/cm¹¹ and 300 mg/cm¹¹.

3. An article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bulk density of the aerosolgenerating material is between 5 mg/cm¹¹ and 90 mg/cm'¹, or between 10 mg/cm¹¹ and 80 mg/cm3, or between 15 mg/cm¹¹ and 70 mg/cm¹¹.

4. An article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bulk density of the aerosol- generating material is between too mg/cm¹¹ and 300 mg/cm¹¹, or between 150 mg/cm¹¹ and 250 mg/cms, or between 180 mg/cm¹¹ and 220 mg/cm¹¹.

5. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body of material is adjacent to an upstream end of the aerosol-generating portion and/or wherein the body of material is adjacent to an upstream end of the cavity.

6. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the article further comprises an aerosol cooling section downstream of the aerosol-generating portion.

7. An article according to claim 6, wherein the aerosol cooling section comprises a cavity.

8. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises an aerosol-former in an amount from 10% to 30% of the aerosol- generating material on a dry weight basis.

9. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body of material comprises an aerosol-former in an amount from 10% to 30% of the body of material on a dry weight basis.

10. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the article further comprises a second body of material arranged immediately downstream of the aerosolgenerating portion.

11. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a mixture of at least two aerosol-generating materials.

12. An article according to claim 11, when dependent from claim 2, wherein at least one of the aerosol-generating materials is in particulate form.

13. An article according to claim 11 or 12, wherein at least one of the aerosolgenerating materials comprises microcapsules.

14. An article according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein at least one of the at least two- aerosol-generating materials comprises granular botanical material, optionally granular tobacco material or granular non-tobacco material.

15. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the aerosol-generating portion is circumscribed by a first wrapping material and a connecting wrapper, the connecting wrapper overlying at least two thirds of the length of the aerosol-generating portion.

16. An article according to claim 15, further comprising a layer of adhesive between the first wrapping material and the connecting wrapper.

17. An article according to claim 16, wherein the layer of adhesive is discontinuous, optionally wherein the layer of adhesive comprises bands of adhesive.

18. An article according to claim 16 or 17, wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the connecting wrapper is free of adhesive.

19- An article according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein at least one of the first wrapping material and the connecting wrapper comprises an aerosol-generating material and/or an aerosol modifying agent.

20. An article according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the first wrapping material comprises an aerosol-generating material and the connecting wrapper is substantially free of aerosol-generating material, and wherein the first wrapping material is provided inwardly of the connecting wrapper.

21. An article according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein each of the first wrapping material and the connecting wrapper overlies the full length of the aerosolgenerating portion.

22. An article according to any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein at least one of the first wrapping material and the connecting wrapper circumscribes the body of material.

23. An article according to claim 22, wherein said at least one of the first wrapping material and the connecting wrapper is non-combustible, optionally wherein the at least one of the first wrapping material and the connecting wrapper comprises metal foil and/or a non-combustible paper.

24. An article according to any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the body of material is circumscribed by a third wrapping material, wherein the third wrapping material is an innermost wrapper, and wherein the third wrapping material is non-combustible, optionally wherein the third wrapping material comprises metal foil and/ or a non- combustible paper.

25. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the body of material comprises a sheet material, optionally wherein the sheet material is gathered into the body of material, and/ or wherein the sheet material is in the form of strips of sheet material.

26. An article according to claim 25, wherein the sheet material comprises one or more portions of sheet material having a combined width of between 100mm and 240mm or between 140mm and 200mm.

2TJ. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein a resistance to draw through the length of the body of material is between 5% and 25%, or between 10% and 20%, or between 15% and 20% of the resistance to draw through the length of the article.

28. An aerosol provision system comprising an article according to any one of claims 1 to 27, and a non-combustible aerosol provision device configured to receive and cause the heating of the aerosol-generating portion of the article.