EP4704618A1 - A plate-shaped consumable article for an aerosol generating device, comprising a reinforcement element - Google Patents

Abstract

The plate-shaped consumable article comprises a wrapper (40) wrapped around an article axis (X) with forming a substrate portion (46) encasing an aerosol substrate (48) containing a vaporizable material for generating an aerosol and a cooling portion (50), the wrapper forming peripheral walls (52, 54) delimiting the cooling portion (50). The cooling portion (50) comprises a reinforcement element (56) having a plurality of longitudinal walls (58) extending along the article axis (X), the longitudinal walls (58) of the reinforcement element (56) forming a lattice structure and/or at least one longitudinal wall (58) of the reinforcement element forming a tubular structure.

Description

A plate-shaped consumable article for an aerosol generating device, comprising a reinforcement element

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of aerosol generating devices and in particular to a plate-shaped consumable article configured to operate with an aerosol generating device.

Particularly, the plate-shaped consumable article comprises a substrate containing a vaporizable material such as to form aerosol when the substrate is heated by the aerosol generating device. Hence, aerosol generating devices of this type, also known as “heat-not- burn devices”, are adapted to heat, rather than burn to generate aerosol for inhalation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporisers) has grown rapidly in the past few years as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm vaporizable materials as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generation device or so called “heat-not-burn device”. Aerosol generation devices of this type generate aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol substrate that is usually comprised in a consumable article separate from the aerosol generation devices. Typically, such aerosol substrate comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material that vaporizes at a temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 350°C. Heating an aerosol substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user but not by-products of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the vaporizable material contained in the aerosol substrate does not comprise the typical burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant for the user and the smoke that can be irritating and polluting for the surroundings. Consumable articles usable with such type of aerosol generating devices can take various shapes. Some of them can exhibit the shape of an elongated stick or any other suitable shape, like for example a plate shape. Generally, such a consumable article is received at least partially in a heating chamber of the aerosol generating device which comprises one or several heaters to heat the consumable article.

In some cases, the user can experience difficulties when inhaling the aerosol, with the need for example to inhale strongly to obtain the required amount of aerosol, thus rendering the user experience less pleasant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the invention is to propose a consumable article which can provide a satisfactory experience to the user.

To the aim, the invention proposes a plate-shaped consumable article for an aerosol generating device, the plate-shaped consumable article comprising a wrapper wrapped around an article axis with forming a substrate portion encasing an aerosol substrate containing a vaporizable material for generating an aerosol and a cooling portion, the wrapper forming peripheral walls delimiting the cooling portion, wherein the cooling portion comprises a reinforcement element inside the cooling portion, the reinforcement element comprising a plurality of longitudinal walls extending along the article axis, the longitudinal walls of the reinforcement element forming a lattice structure and/or at least one longitudinal wall of the reinforcement element forming a tubular structure.

By “plate shape” of the consumable article, it is understood that it extends between two parallel first planes and two parallel second planes perpendicular to the first planes, the first planes and the second planes being parallel to the article axis X, the distance between the second planes being at least 3 times, advantageously 5 times and preferably 10 times, greater than the distance between the first planes.

This shape is particularly advantageous to ensure a fast preheating phase of the consumable article. Thus, the consumable article can be ready to generate aerosol only a few seconds (for example 5 s or 15 s or 20 s) after activating the heating. The reinforcement element inside the cooling portion avoids the cooling portion deforming in such a way that the area of a flow passage delimiting in the cooling portion is diminished. The reinforcement element thus maintains the cross-section of the cooling portion and maintains the area of the flow passage unchanged.

The lattice structure and/or the at least one tubular structure provide sufficient reinforcement with a low impact on the area of the flow passage. The lattice structure and the at least one tubular structure formed of longitudinal wall extending along the article axis, i.e. in the direction of flow of the aerosol in the cooling portion, minimize the pressure drop across the cooling portion due to the presence of the reinforcement element inside the cooling portion.

According to some examples, at least one longitudinal wall of the reinforcement element extends across the cooling section between two parallel opposite peripheral walls of the cooling section with being preferably perpendicular to said two parallel opposite peripheral walls.

Such a longitudinal wall provides a good reinforcement between the two parallel opposite peripheral walls in the direction perpendicular to the two opposite peripheral walls.

According to some examples, at least one longitudinal wall of the reinforcement element extends across the cooling section between two opposite peripheral walls of the cooling section with forming a non-zero angle with each peripheral wall of the cooling section. Each said longitudinal wall is for example oblique relative to each peripheral wall of the cooling section, i.e. neither perpendicular nor parallel to each peripheral wall of the cooling section.

Such an oblique longitudinal wall allows tuning the reinforcement provided between the two opposite peripheral walls.

According to some examples, at least one longitudinal wall of the reinforcement element is parallel to the two parallel opposite peripheral walls of the cooling section with being and at a distance from each of the two parallel opposite peripheral walls. Each said longitudinal wall extends for example across the cooling section between two other opposite peripheral walls distinct from said two parallel opposite peripheral walls. Such a longitudinal walls may form an intermediate support between the two parallel opposite peripheral walls.

According to some examples, the reinforcement element comprises at least two longitudinal walls crossing each other. Advantageously two crossing longitudinal walls are perpendicular to each other.

Crossing longitudinal walls allows providing a lattice structure with appropriate stiffness, in particular when the crossing longitudinal walls cross perpendicularly.

According to some examples, the reinforcement element comprises at least four longitudinal walls, each of the at least four longitudinal walls extending preferably parallel to one of the peripheral walls of the cooling portion.

The provision of at least four longitudinal walls can provide a good reinforcement with a limited pressure drop, notably when including at least two longitudinal walls crossing each other, in particular one longitudinal wall extending between two opposite peripheral walls crossing at least three longitudinal walls extending between two other opposite peripheral walls.

The cooling portion is advantageously delimited by a pair of wide peripheral walls and a pair of narrow peripheral walls. The wide peripheral wall are preferably parallel and the narrow peripheral walls are preferably parallel. The cooling portion exhibits preferably a rectangular cross-section.

According to some examples, at least one longitudinal wall of the reinforcement element extends parallel to each wide peripheral wall and/or at least one longitudinal wall of the reinforcement element extends parallel to each narrow peripheral wall.

Each longitudinal wall extending parallel to the wide peripheral walls and/or parallel to the narrow peripheral walls can extend across the cooling section between opposite walls with provided a good reinforcement.

According to some examples, the reinforcement element comprises at least four longitudinal walls, each longitudinal walls extending along a wide peripheral wall or narrow peripheral wall of the cooling portion. According to some examples, one or several longitudinal walls extend between the wide peripheral walls without being in contact with the narrow peripheral walls, advantageously each said longitudinal walls extending parallel to each narrow peripheral wall.

According to some examples, one or several longitudinal walls extend between the narrow peripheral walls without being in contact with the wide peripheral walls, advantageously each said longitudinal walls extending parallel to each wide peripheral wall.

According to some examples, the reinforcement element comprises a plate extending along one of the wide peripheral walls.

Such a reinforcement plate provides an additional layer to the corresponding wide peripheral walls, thus reinforcing the wide peripheral walls with a minimal impact on the area of the cross-section of the cooling portion delimited between the peripheral walls.

According to some examples, the reinforcement element further comprises at least two stacked hollow boxes forming a stack, the stack being attached to the plate and extending up to the opposite wide peripheral wall.

According to some examples, wherein the reinforcement element further comprises at least one tubular structure attached to the plate.

Stacked hollow boxes and/or tubular structures interposed between the opposite wide peripheral walls provide a strong reinforcement with limited pressure drop. The stacked hollow boxes and/or tubular structures attached to a plate ease the manufacturing of the consumable article.

According to some examples, the reinforcement element further comprises another plate extending along the opposite wide peripheral wall.

The other plate allows forming a reinforcement element comprising the stacked hollow boxes and/or the tubular structures sandwiched between the plates. Such a reinforcement element provides a structure which can be easily manufactured. According to some examples, the reinforcement element comprises two plates, each plate extending along a respective wide peripheral wall and two curved structures, each curved structure extending along to the article axis, each curved structure protruding from a respective one of the plates, the curved structures being in contact one with the other, preferably at apexes of the curved structures.

The reinforcement element is thus made of a sandwich comprising the curved structures sandwiched between two plates.

According to some examples, wherein the reinforcement element comprises a pair of longitudinal walls extending on the opposite wide peripheral walls and an intermediate longitudinal wall extending between the two longitudinal walls of said pair of longitudinal walls, preferably with forming a non-zero angle with each peripheral wall of the cooling portion.

The longitudinal walls of such a reinforcement element may be formed by regions of the wrapper folded to form the reinforcement element, the wrapper being then wrapped around the reinforcement element for forming the peripheral walls around the reinforcement element.

According to some examples, the reinforcement element forms a single piece.

According to some examples, the reinforcement element is formed by folded paper, rolled paper or injection moulded paper.

The reinforcement formed of injection moulded paper can be obtained easily with the desired features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting examples and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of an aerosol generating assembly comprising an aerosol generating device and a consumable article; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the consumable article of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the consumable article of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of the consumable article of Figure 2 during manufacturing, illustrating a reinforcement element inserted in a cooling portion of the consumable article according to one example;

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of a reinforcement element according to another example;

- Figure 6 - 12 are cross-sectional views of cooling portions of the consumable article illustrating reinforcing elements according to other examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generating device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of a heater element explained in further detail below. The device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating the heater element for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapour to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol. As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of vaporizable material as one or more of solid particles, liquid droplets and gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. Aerosol may include one or more components of the vaporizable material.

As used herein, the term “vaporizable material” or “precursor” may refer to a smokable material which may for example comprise nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol former. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and/or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol formers include: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also comprise at least one of a gelling agent, a binding agent, a stabilizing agent, and a humectant.

As illustrated on Figure 1 , an aerosol generating assembly 10 comprises an aerosol generating device 12 and a consumable set 14. The consumable set 14 comprises a consumable article 16 and a mouthpiece 18. The mouthpiece 18 may be exchangeable or be a re-usable part removably attached to the device. The consumable article 16 is configured to operate with the aerosol generating device 12.

The aerosol generating device 12 comprises a device body 20 extending along a device axis Y between a first end 22, or mouth end and a second end 24 or bottom end. The device body 20 is configured for receiving the consumable article 16 in a removable manner such as to operate the aerosol generating device 12 with the consumable article 16 for generating an aerosol. The device body 20 delimits an internal space of the aerosol generating device 12 receiving various elements designed to carry out different functionalities of the aerosol generating device 12. The device body 20 houses for example a battery 26 for powering the device aerosol generating 12, an electronic control module 28 for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device 11 , and a heating chamber 30 for receiving and heating the consumable article 16. The heating chamber 30 is designed to receive at least partially the consumable article 16. As illustrated on Figure 1 , the heating chamber 30 opens for example at the first end 22 of the device body 20 via an insertion opening 32 for insertion of the consumable article 16 into the heating chamber 30, in particular along the device axis Y. The mouthpiece 18 may, for instance be slidably connected or pivotally attached to the device body 20 to allow the heating chamber 30 to be opened for insertion of the consumable article. The heating chamber 30 extends for example along the device axis Y and exhibits a cup shape.

The aerosol generating device 16 comprises for example a heating device 34 configured to heat at least a part of the consumable article 16 inserted in the heating chamber 30. The heating device 34 comprises for example a pair of heating plates 36 arranged in the heating chamber 30 with facing each other and designed to heat opposite faces of the consumable article 16 as it will be explained in further detail below.

Alternatively or additionally, the heating device 34 comprises any other means suitable for heating the consumable article 16, as for example an electrically resistive heating blade configured for example to penetrate into the consumable article 16 upon insertion of the consumable article 16 in the heating chamber 30 and/or a magnetic inducer, e.g. a magnetic coil, configured for heating a magnetic heating insert (e.g. a magnetic heating blade) configured to penetrate into the consumable article 16 upon insertion of the consumable article 16 in the heating chamber 30, by inducing electric current in the magnetic heating insert.

As illustrated on Figure 2 to Figure 4, the consumable article 16 extends along an article axis X and comprises a tubular wrapper 40 extending along the article axis X between an inlet end 42 and an outlet end 44 of the consumable article 16, with forming a substrate portion 46, which receives an aerosol substrate 48, and a cooling portion 50. Figure 4 shows the consumable article 16 before wrapping the wrapper 40.

The wrapper 40 defines the external envelope of the consumable article 16.

The wrapper 40 extends around the article axis X to define a tube or sleeve having opened ends at the inlet end 42 and the outlet end 44 to allow air to flow axially through the consumable article 16, more particularly through the wrapper 40, and passing successively via the substrate portion 46 and the cooling portion 50. The substrate portion 46 and the cooling portion 50 are respective axial sections or axial length portions of the wrapper 40. The substrate portion 46 extends from the inlet end 42 to the cooling portion 50 and the cooling portion 50 extends from the substrate portion 46 to the outlet end 44 of the consumable article 16.

The aerosol substrate 48 contains the vaporizable material. The vaporizable material is configured for vaporizing when the substrate portion 46 is heated, e.g. by the heating device 30 of aerosol generating device 12 in which the consumable article 16 is received. The aerosol substrate 48 is configured for allowing air to flow through the aerosol substrate 48.

The cooling portion 50 is configured for the circulation of the aerosol from the substrate portion 46 to the outlet end 44 with cooling of the aerosol. The cooling of the aerosol in the cooling portion 50 avoids the unpleasant sensation of hotness in the mouth or throat of the user.

The consumable article 16 exhibits a plate shape. The consumable article 16 is for example in the shape of cuboid, in particular a rectangular cuboid.

The wrapper 40 has a cross-section taken perpendicularly to the article axis X, i.e. in a plane perpendicular to the article axis X. The cross-section of the wrapper 40 is preferably constant along the article axis X, whereby the substrate portion 46 and the cooling portion 50 have the same cross-section.

The cooling portion 50 exhibits for example a quadrangular cross-section, i.e. a cross section with four sides. The cooling portion 50 exhibits for example a trapezoidal cross-section or preferably a rectangular cross-section. A trapezoidal cross-section has two parallel opposed sides and two non-parallel opposed sides. A rectangular cross-section has two pairs of parallel opposed sides.

The wrapper 40 forms peripheral walls of the cooling portion 50. Each peripheral wall delimits a respective side of the cross-section of the cooling portion 50. The cooling portion 50 comprises for example two wide peripheral walls 52, which are opposed and parallel to each other, and two opposed narrow peripheral walls 54. This allows imparting a plate shape to the consumable article 16.

The width of each peripheral wall (wide peripheral walls 52 or narrow peripheral walls 54) is the distance between the two edges of the peripheral wall which are parallel to article axis X. The width of each wide peripheral walls 52 is strictly higher than the width of each narrow peripheral wall 54.

The two wide peripheral walls 52 are spaced apart along a first transverse direction T1 perpendicular to the article axis X. The two narrow peripheral walls 54 are spaced apart along a second transverse direction T2 perpendicular to the article axis X and to the first transverse direction T 1 .

The two wide peripheral walls 52 are preferably flat. The two narrow peripheral walls 54 are for example flat. Preferably, the two narrow peripheral walls 54 are parallel to each other as illustrated on Figure 2. This imparts a rectangular cross-section to the cooling section 50. This allows imparting a rectangular cuboid shape to the consumable article 16. In a variant, the two narrow peripheral walls 54 are for example inclined one relative to the other with a non-zero angle. This imparts a trapezoidal cross-section to the cooling section 50.

The consumable article 16 has external dimensions including a length L taken along the article axis X between the inlet end 42 and the outlet end 44, a width W taken perpendicularly to the article axis X between the narrow peripheral walls 54, and a depth D taken perpendicularly to the article axis X between the wide peripheral walls 52. The width W of the consumable article 16 is taken along the second transverse direction T2 and the depth D of the consumable article 16 is taken along the first transverse direction T1 .

In one example, the length L of the consumable article 16 is comprised between 20 mm and 45 mm, the width W of the consumable article 16 is comprised between 7 mm and 17 mm and/or the depth D of the consumable article 16 is comprised between 0.7 mm and 1 .7 mm. In a particular example, the length L of the consumable article 16 substantially equals to 33 mm, the width W substantially equals to 12 mm and/or the depth D of the consumable article 16 substantially equals to 1 .2 mm. The width W of the consumable article 16 is for example at least three times the depth D of the consumable article 16, preferably at least five times the depth D of the consumable article 16, still preferably at least ten times the depth D of the consumable article 16. The width to depth ratio (W/D) of the consumable article 16 is for example equal or higher than three, in particular equal or higher than five, still in particular equal or higher than ten.

The cooling portion 50 comprises a reinforcement element 56 arranged to reinforce the cooling portion 50.

The reinforcement element 56 comprises longitudinal walls 58 forming a lattice structure and/or at least one longitudinal wall forming a tubular structure. Each longitudinal wall 58 extends parallel to the article axis X. Each longitudinal wall 58 is flat or curved or partly flat and partly curved or shaped as a tube.

A “lattice structure” is a structure with a repeated pattern. A “tubular structure” is structure delimiting at least one tube inside the cooling portion 50.

The reinforcement element 56 is preferably profiled along the article axis X. The cross-section of the reinforcement element 56 is constant along the cooling section 50. The reinforcement element 56 consists for example of longitudinal walls 58 extending parallel to the article axis X. Thanks to this hollow structure, the pressure drop generated in the cooling portion 50 can be minimized.

In some examples, at least one longitudinal wall 58 of the reinforcement element 56 extends across the cooling section 50 between two parallel opposite peripheral walls of the cooling section 50 with being preferably perpendicular to said two parallel opposite peripheral walls and/or at least one longitudinal wall 58 of the reinforcement element 56 extends across the cooling section 50 between two opposite peripheral walls of the cooling section with forming a non-zero angle with each peripheral wall of the cooling section 50.

In some examples, at least one longitudinal wall 58 of the reinforcement element 56 is parallel to the two parallel opposite peripheral walls of the cooling section 50 with being and at a distance from each of the two parallel opposite peripheral walls. Each said longitudinal wall 58 extends for example across the cooling section 50 between two other opposite peripheral walls distinct from said two parallel opposite peripheral walls. When the cooling portion 50 comprises a pair of wide peripheral walls 52 and a pair of narrow peripheral walls 54, the reinforcement element 56 comprises for example at least one longitudinal wall 58 parallel to a wide peripheral wall 52 and/or at least one longitudinal wall 58 parallel to a narrow peripheral wall 54 and/or at least one longitudinal wall 58 oblique relative to the wide peripheral walls 52, i.e. neither parallel not perpendicular to the wide peripheral walls 52 and the narrow peripheral walls 54.

The reinforcement element 56 comprises for example longitudinal walls 58 crossing mutually with defining a lattice structure 60 inside the cooling section 50. The lattice structure 60 extends across the cooling section 50. Two mutually crossing longitudinal walls 58 are preferably perpendicular to each other.

The reinforcement element 56 comprises for example one or several longitudinal walls 58 extending across the cooling section 50 between two opposite walls the cooling section 50.

As illustrated on Figure 2 - 4, when the cooling section 50 comprises a pair of wide peripheral wall 52 and a pair narrow peripheral walls 54, the reinforcement element 56 comprises advantageously one or several longitudinal walls 58 extending between the wide peripheral walls 52 without being in contact with the narrow peripheral walls 54, advantageously each said longitudinal wall 58 extending parallel to each narrow peripheral wall 54 and/or comprises one or several longitudinal walls 58 extending between the narrow peripheral walls 54 without being in contact with the wide peripheral walls 52, advantageously each said longitudinal wall 58 extending parallel to each wide peripheral wall 52.

The reinforcement element 56 delimits for example, within the cooling portion 50, one or several tubular channels 62. Each channel 62 extends longitudinally, i.e. along the article axis X. Each channel 62 has opened axial ends. Each channel 62 allows the aerosol generated in the substrate portion 46 to flow without hindrance through the cooling portion 50 to the outlet end 44. The reinforcement element 56 thus defines a tubular structure.

The reinforcement element 56 comprises for example at least four longitudinal walls 58. In a particular example, as illustrated on Figure 2 - 4, the reinforcement element 56 comprises one longitudinal wall 58 extending across the cooling portion 50 between the narrow peripheral walls 54 with being parallel to and spaced form the wide peripheral walls 52 and three longitudinal walls 58 extending across the cooling portion 50 between the wide peripheral walls 52 with being parallel to and spaced from the narrow peripheral walls 54, with defining height tubular channels 62.

A reinforcement element 56 comprises mutually crossing longitudinal walls 58 is for example manufactured in one single piece of material, e.g. with injection moulded paper.

As illustrated on Figure 5, in some examples, the reinforcement element 56 comprises one or several tubular boxes 64. Each box 64 is profiled along the article axis X and exhibits advantageously a rectangular cross-section, in particular a square crosssection.

Each box 64 is formed for example of four longitudinal walls 58 joining at corners of the box 64. Each box 64 defines one tubular channel 62 extending longitudinally through the cooling section 50. The reinforcement element 56 comprises for example one or several stacks of boxes 64. The longitudinal walls 58 of the reinforcement element 56 defined a tubular lattice structure.

When the cooling section 50 comprises a pair of wide peripheral walls 52 and a pair of narrow walls, the reinforcement element 56 comprising one or several boxes 64 extends preferably between the wide peripheral walls 52. The reinforcement element 56 bears on the wide peripheral walls 52. The reinforcement element 56 maintains a spacing between the wide peripheral walls 52.

In particular, the reinforcement element 56 comprises boxes 64 stacked between the wide peripheral walls 52. The stacked boxes 64 bears on the wide peripheral walls 52. The stacked boxes 64 maintain a spacing between the wide peripheral walls 52.

In a particular example, as illustrated on Figure 5, the reinforcement element 56 comprises two rows of four boxes 64. This defines height channels 62 for the aerosol to flow through the cooling section 50. The reinforcement element 56 is for example obtained by assembling the boxes 64, e.g. by gluing the boxes 64 together, and wrapping the wrapper 40 around the assembly of boxes 64 to obtain the cooling section 50 comprising the reinforcement element 56.

In some examples, as illustrated on Figure 6, when the cooling section 50 comprises a pair of wide peripheral walls 52 and a pair of narrow walls 54, the reinforcement element 56 comprises a plate 68 extending on one of the wide peripheral walls 52. The plate 68 is in contact with the wide peripheral wall 52 on the entire area of the plate 68.

Optionally, the reinforcement element 56 comprises at least one stack of boxes 64, each stack of boxes 64 comprising two or more boxes 64 stacked together, each stack of boxes 64 being attached to the plate 68 and extending up to the opposite wide peripheral wall 52, i.e. the wide peripheral wall 52 opposite to the wide peripheral wall 52 on which the plate 68 is attached. Each stack of boxes 64 maintains the spacing between the two wide peripheral walls 52.

The reinforcement element 56 comprises for example two separate stacks of boxes 64. The two stack of boxes 64 are preferably spaced transversely on from the other. This allows providing transversely distributed supports between the wide peripheral walls 52. Each stack of boxes 64 is advantageously adjacent, and in particular in contact with a respective one of the narrow peripheral walls 54.

Optionally, the reinforcement element 56 comprises another plate 68 extending on the opposite wide peripheral wall 52. The other plate 68 is in contact with said opposite wide peripheral wall 52 on the entire area of the plate 68. Each stack of boxes 64 extends between the two plates 68. Each stack of boxes 64 is in contact with each plate 68. Each stack of boxes 64 maintains the spacing between the two wide peripheral walls 52.

The longitudinal walls 58 of such a reinforcement element 56 defines a tubular structure, notably due to the presence of the boxes 64.

In some examples, when the cooling section 50 comprises a pair of wide peripheral walls 52 and a pair of narrow walls 54, the reinforcement element 56 comprises a plate 68 extending on one of the wide peripheral walls 52 and at least one tube 70 attached to the plate 68. Each tube is made of a longitudinal wall 58 folded such as to form a tube extending along the article axis X, in particular a tube of circular cross-section. Each tube 70 is in contact on one side with the plate 68 and bears on the other side against the wide peripheral wall 52 opposite the wide peripheral wall 52 on which the plate 68 extends. Each tube 70 thus provides a support between the opposite wide peripheral walls 52. Each tube 70 maintains a spacing between the opposite wide peripheral walls 52.

The reinforcement element 56 comprises for example several tubes 70 distributed on the width of the cooling section 50, between the two narrows wall 54. Each tube 70 is transversely spaced from each other tube 70 or in contact with at least one other tube 70.

In a particular example, each tube 70 may be transversely spaced from each other tube 70. The reinforcement element 56 comprises for example tubes 70 which are spaced transversely uniformly. In another embodiment (not represented), the tubes 70 are arranged in contact to form a row of several contiguous tubes.

The reinforcement element 56 advantageously comprises one respective tube 70 in contact with each narrow peripheral walls 54.

In a particular example, as illustrated on Figure 7, the reinforcement element 56 comprises three tubes 70 including a first tube 70 and a second tube 70 each in contact with a respective one of the narrow peripheral walls 54 and a third tube 70 located between the first tube 70 and the second tube 70, preferably at equidistance from the first tube 70 and the second tube 70. The tubes can be obtained e.g., by wound paper.

In some examples, the reinforcement element 56 comprises two plates 68, each plate 68 extending on a respective wide peripheral wall 52, each tube 70 being sandwiched between the two plates 68. The reinforcement element 56 comprises the two plates 68 sandwiching the tubes 70.

In some examples, as illustrated on Figure 8, when the cooling section 50 comprises one or several pairs of wide peripheral walls 52 and a pair of narrow walls 54, the reinforcement element 56 comprises two curved structures 72, each curved structure 72 protruding from a respective wide peripheral wall 52 with contacting the other curved structure 72. Each curved structure 72 is curved transversely, i.e. perpendicularly to the article axis X. Each curved structure 72 is preferably profiled along the article axis X. Each curved structure 72 comprises for example a base 74 adjacent the corresponding wide peripheral wall 52 and several apexes 76 protruding from the corresponding wide peripheral wall 52, each apex 76 contacting a corresponding apex 76 of the other curved structure 72.

Each curved structure 72 is preferably attached to a plate 68 of the reinforcement element 56 said plate 68 extending on the corresponding wide peripheral wall 52. More precisely, the base 74 of each curved structure 72 is preferably attached to said plate 68.

In some examples, as illustrated on Figure 8, one or each curved structure 72 is formed of one longitudinal wall 58 undulated transversely, the longitudinal wall 58 forming a plurality of apexes 76 spaced transversely, each apex 76 contact a corresponding apex 76 of the undulated longitudinal wall 58 of the other curved structure 72.

In some examples, as illustrated on Figure 9, each curved structure 72 is formed of a plurality of longitudinal walls 58 curved transversely, each longitudinal wall 58 forming one single apex 76. Each longitudinal wall 58 has for example the shape of a half cylinder.

In some examples, as illustrated on Figure 10, when the cooling portion 50 is delimited at least by a pair of wide peripheral walls 52 and a pair of narrow peripheral walls 54, the reinforcement element 56 comprises a pair of longitudinal walls 58 extending along the opposite wide peripheral walls 52, and an intermediate longitudinal wall 58 extending across the cooling section 50 between the two longitudinal walls 58 of said pair of longitudinal walls 58.

The intermediate longitudinal wall 58 extending across the cooling section 50 is preferably made in a single piece with the longitudinal walls 58 extending on the wide peripheral walls 52.

The intermediate longitudinal wall 58 extending across the cooling section 50 extends between the wide peripheral walls 52 with being transversely spaced from each narrow peripheral wall 54. Said intermediate longitudinal 58 wall thus defines a longitudinal internal partition wall in the cooling section 50 with delimiting two separated tubular channels 62. The longitudinal walls 58 of the reinforcement element 56 thus define a tubular structure inside the cooling section 50. The intermediate longitudinal wall 58 extending across the cooling section 50 is for example perpendicular to the wide peripheral wall 52.

Optionally, the reinforcement element 56 comprises at least one additional longitudinal wall 58 extending on a narrow peripheral wall 54, in particular one respective additional longitudinal wall 58 extending on each narrow peripheral wall 54.

As illustrated on Figure 10, the reinforcement element 56 comprises for example successively, a longitudinal wall 58 extending on a narrow peripheral wall 54 (optional), a longitudinal wall 58 extending on part of a wide peripheral wall 52, a longitudinal wall 58 extending across the cooling section 50 to the other wide peripheral wall 52 and a longitudinal wall 58 extending on the other wide peripheral wall 52 and a longitudinal wall 58 extending on the other narrow peripheral wall 52 (optional).

The reinforcement element 56 is for example separate from the wrapper 40 and inserted in the cooling portion 50, e.g. by wrapping the wrapper 40 around the reinforcement element 56.

In some examples, as illustrated on Figure 1 1 , the reinforcement element 56 differs from that of Figure 10 in that the longitudinal wall extending across the cooling section 50 extends obliquely with respect to the wide peripheral walls 52.

In some examples, as also illustrated on Figure 11 , the reinforcement element 56 differs from that of Figure 10 in that the longitudinal walls of the reinforcement element 56 are made in a single piece with the wrapper 40. The longitudinal walls 58 of the reinforcement element 56 are formed of flaps of the wrapper 40 separated by longitudinal folding lines 80. The reinforcement element 56 is obtained during folding of the wrapper 40 by first folding the flaps of the wrapper 40 forming the longitudinal walls 58 of the reinforcement element 56 and then wrapping around the region of the wrapper 40 forming the peripheral walls 52, 54 around the reinforcement element 56.

In some examples, as illustrated on Figure 12, the reinforcement element 56 comprises for example two longitudinal walls 58 extending across the cooling section 50 between the wide peripheral walls 52, said two longitudinal walls being located at a distance from the narrow peripheral walls 54 and preferably at a distance from each other. Each of said two longitudinal wall 58 extending across the cooling section 50 extends preferably between a pair of longitudinal walls 58 extending along the wide peripheral walls 52.

As illustrated on Figure 12, the reinforcement element 56 comprises for example a first longitudinal wall 58A extending on a wide peripheral wall 52 with extending on the entire width of said wide peripheral wall 52 and, on each side of said first longitudinal wall 58A, a second longitudinal wall 58B extending on the corresponding narrow peripheral wall 54, a third longitudinal wall 58C extending on the opposite peripheral wall 52, a fourth longitudinal wall 58D extending across the cooling section 50 at a distance from the narrow peripheral walls 54 and a fifth longitudinal wall 58E extending on the wide peripheral wall 52, more precisely on the first longitudinal wall 58A.

The reinforcement element 56 is made for example in a single piece, e.g. by injection moulded paper or by folding a sheet, in particular a sheet of paper along longitudinal folding lines.

As a matter of example, the thickness of the reinforcement element may be comprised between 75 microns and 300 microns, more preferably between 120 and 250 microns.

The thickness of the peripheral walls of the wrapper (in all embodiments of the invention) may be preferably between 75 microns and 140 microns. In one example, the paper has a thickness of 125 microns. The wrapper may for instance be formed from a paper sheet having a basis weight of at least 70 g/m2, more preferably at least 75 g/m2, most preferably at least 78 g/m2. In one example, the paper has a basis weight of about 100 g/m2. The porosity of the paper may be less than 100 CU, preferably between 0 and 80 CU. In one example, the paper has a porosity of 40 CU.

The wrapper 40 comprises for example paper and/or non-woven fabric and/or aluminium foil. The wrapper 40 is preferably non-porous but in possible embodiments, the wrapper may be locally porous or perforated (e.g., by row(s) of through-holes) to allow air to enter in the cooling part.

The wrapper 40 preferably comprises paper. The paper can be similar to one used as a tipping paper in the conventional tobacco articles. In a variant, the paper is different from one of the conventional tobacco articles. The wrapper 40 comprises for example aluminium. The aluminium extends in the substrate portion 46 to prevent condensation leakage and/or vapour leakage. The aluminium extends for example only in the substrate portion 46 or extends in the substrate portion 46 and the cooling portion 50.

In one example, the wrapper 40 is a laminate of paper and aluminium which extends along the entire length of the consumable article 16, from the inlet end 42 to the outlet end 44.

The reinforcement element 56 is for example made of injected moulded paper. The reinforcement element 56 is thus made of paper by injection moulding.

For manufacturing the consumable article 16, the wrapper 40, is for example initially arranged flat and then provided with the reinforcement element 56 and the aerosol substrate 48 on one face of the wrapper 40 (see e.g. Figure 4) and then wrapped around the article axis X to form the consumable article 16 with wrapping the reinforcement element 56 and the aerosol substrate 48.

Claims

1 . A plate-shaped consumable article for an aerosol generating device, the plateshaped consumable article comprising a wrapper (40) wrapped around an article axis (X) with forming a substrate portion (46) encasing an aerosol substrate (48) containing a vaporizable material for generating an aerosol and a cooling portion (50), the wrapper forming peripheral walls (52, 54) delimiting the cooling portion (50), wherein the cooling portion (50) comprises a reinforcement element (56), the reinforcement element (56) comprising a plurality of longitudinal walls (58) extending along the article axis (X), the longitudinal walls (58) of the reinforcement element (56) forming a lattice structure and/or at least one longitudinal wall (58) of the reinforcement element forming a tubular structure.

2. The plate-shaped consumable article according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement element (56) comprises at least two longitudinal walls (58) crossing each other.

3. The plate-shaped consumable article according to claim 2, wherein said crossing longitudinal walls (58) are perpendicular.

4. The plate-shaped consumable article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling portion (50) is delimited at least by a pair of wide peripheral walls (52) and a pair of narrow peripheral walls (54).

5. The plate-shaped consumable article according to claim 3, wherein at least one longitudinal wall (58) of the reinforcement element (56) extends along one wide peripheral wall (52) and/or at least one longitudinal wall (58) of the reinforcement element (56) extends along one narrow peripheral wall (54).

6. The plate-shaped consumable article according to claims 4 or 5, wherein the reinforcement element (56) comprises at least four longitudinal walls (58), each longitudinal extending along a wide peripheral wall (52) or along narrow peripheral wall (54) of the cooling portion (50).

7. The plate-shaped consumable article according any one of claims 4 - 6, wherein one or several longitudinal walls (58) extend between the wide peripheral walls (52) without being in contact with the narrow peripheral walls (54), advantageously each said longitudinal walls extending parallel to each narrow peripheral wall (54), and/or one or several longitudinal walls (58) extend between the narrow peripheral walls (54) without being in contact with the wide peripheral walls (52), advantageously each said longitudinal walls (58) extending parallel to each wide peripheral wall (52).

8. The plate-shaped consumable article according to any claims 4 - 7, wherein the reinforcement element (56) comprises a plate (68) extending along one of the wide peripheral walls (52).

9. The plate-shaped consumable article according to claim 8, wherein the reinforcement element (56) comprises at least two stacked hollow boxes (64) forming a stack, the stack being attached to the plate (68) and extending up to the opposite wide peripheral wall (52).

10. The plate-shaped consumable article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the reinforcement element (56) further comprises at least one tubular structure attached to the plate (68).

11. The plate-shaped consumable article according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the reinforcement element further comprises another plate (68) extending along the opposite wide peripheral wall (52).

12. The plate-shaped consumable article according to any one of claims 4 - 11 , wherein the reinforcement element (56) comprises two plates (68) each extending on a respective wide peripheral wall (52) and two curved structures (72), each curved structure (72) extending according to the article axis (X), each curved structure (72) protruding from a respective one of the two plates (68), the curved structures (72) being in contact one with the other, preferably at apexes of the curved structures (72).

13. The plate-shaped consumable article according to any one of claims 4 - 12, wherein the reinforcement element (56) comprises a pair of longitudinal walls extending on the opposite wide peripheral walls (52) and an intermediate longitudinal wall extending between said pair of longitudinal walls, preferably with forming a non-zero angle with each peripheral wall (52, 54) of the cooling portion (50).

14. The plate-shaped consumable article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement element is formed by folded paper, rolled paper or injection molded paper.

15. The plate-shaped consumable article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement element forms a single piece of material.