EP4719102A1

EP4719102A1 - Aerosol-generating article having different fibrous segments

Info

Publication number: EP4719102A1
Application number: EP24729270.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Noori Moyad BRIFCANI; Marie Rose Danielle FARINE
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2023-05-26
Filing date: 2024-05-24
Publication date: 2026-04-08
Also published as: CN121218889A; WO2024245968A1; KR20260015892A

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol-generating article (10). The aerosol-generating article (10) comprises an upstream segment (11). The upstream segment (11) is positioned at an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article (10). The aerosol-generating article (10) also comprises a mouthpiece segment (18). The mouthpiece segment (18) is positioned at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article (10). The aerosol-generating article (10) comprises a plug of aerosol-forming substrate (12). The plug of aerosol-forming substrate (12) is positioned between the upstream segment (11) and the mouthpiece segment (18). Each of the upstream segment (11) and the mouthpiece segment (18) comprise a fibrous material. The upstream segment (11) has at least one of a different colour, a different outer edge shape, a different surface pattern, and a different texture compared to the mouthpiece segment (18).

Description

AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE HAVING DIFFERENT FIBROUS SEGMENTS

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising a different upstream and mouthpiece segments.

Aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobaccocontaining substrate, is heated rather than combusted, are known in the art. Typically, in such heated smoking articles an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heating element to a physically separate aerosol-forming substrate or material, which may be located in contact with, within, around, or downstream of the heating element. During use of the aerosol-generating article, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from the heating element and are entrained in air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article may be configured for insertion of a portion of the aerosol-generating article into a chamber of an aerosol-generating device.

It is known to provide the heating element in the aerosol-generating article in the form of a susceptor element, which is capable of being heated when penetrated by a varying magnetic field. For example, an aerosol-generating device may be provided which comprises an inductor coil arranged to inductively heat a susceptor element in the aerosol-generating article. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element may be provided in the aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor.

Typically, an aerosol-generating article comprises a downstream segment at a downstream end of the article. The downstream segment may be referred to as a filter segment or a mouthpiece segment. The article may also comprise an upstream segment at an upstream end of the article. The upstream segment may be formed from a material that is the same as or similar to a material forming the downstream segment.

During use, the user may insert a portion of the aerosol-generating article into a chamber of an aerosol-generating device. Typically, the portion of the aerosol-generating article inserted into the chamber of the aerosol-generating device comprises at least part of the aerosol-forming substrate.

Typically, an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article must be inserted into the chamber of the aerosol-generating device. However, there may be a risk that the user may accidentally insert the incorrect end of the aerosol-generating article into the chamber. For example, the user may accidentally insert the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article into the chamber of the aerosol-generating device. The risk may be increased for aerosolgenerating articles comprising both upstream and downstream segments.

Accidentally inserting the incorrect end of the aerosol-generating article into the chamber of the aerosol-generating device may result in insufficient or no aerosol being generated during use, and may result in damage to at least one of the aerosol-generating article and the aerosolgenerating device.

Furthermore, aerosol-generating articles which are heated rather than combusted may not significantly change in appearance during use. Therefore, it may be difficult for the user to identify which aerosol-generating articles have been used and which aerosol-generating articles are unused. This may be the case when, for example, unused aerosol-generating articles and used aerosol-generating articles are stored together. This difficulty may be increased for aerosolgenerating articles comprising both upstream and downstream segments.

It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article which has a reduced risk of being inserted incorrected into the chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

It would also be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article which is configured to assist a user in determining which aerosol-generating articles are used and which aerosolgenerating articles are unused.

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an upstream segment. The upstream segment may be positioned at an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a mouthpiece segment. The mouthpiece segment may be positioned at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a plug of aerosol-forming substrate. The plug of aerosol-forming substrate may be positioned between the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment. Each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment may comprise a fibrous material. The upstream segment may have at least one of a different colour, a different outer edge shape, a different surface pattern, and a different texture compared to the mouthpiece segment.

According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article comprises an upstream segment. The upstream segment is positioned at an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article comprises a mouthpiece segment. The mouthpiece segment is positioned at a downstream end of the aerosolgenerating article. The aerosol-generating article comprises a plug of aerosol-forming substrate. The plug of aerosol-forming substrate is positioned between the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment. Each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment comprise a fibrous material. The upstream segment has at least one of a different colour, a different outer edge shape, a different surface pattern, and a different texture compared to the mouthpiece segment.

Advantageously, providing an upstream segment having at least one of a different colour, a different outer edge shape, a different surface pattern, and a different texture compared to the mouthpiece segment allows the user to easily distinguish between the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. Advantageously, this may reduce the risk that the user inserts the incorrect end of the aerosolgenerating article into an aerosol-generating device.

Advantageously, providing an upstream segment having at least one of a different colour, a different outer edge shape, a different surface pattern, and a different texture compared to the mouthpiece segment may assist a user in determining which aerosol-generating articles are used and which aerosol-generating articles are unused. For example, when a user stores used and unused aerosol-generating articles in a single container, the user can insert the used aerosolgenerating articles with an opposite orientation to the unused aerosol-generating articles. In this way, the user can easily distinguish the used and unused aerosol-generating articles based on the position of the upstream end or the downstream end of each of the aerosol-generating articles.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” denotes a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating, which can condense to form an aerosol.

As used herein, the term “aerosol” denotes a dispersion of solid particles, or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets, in a gas. The aerosol may be visible or invisible. The aerosol may include vapours of substances that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature as well as solid particles, or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” denotes an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-generating article may be disposable.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term “different” refers to components, for example the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment, which are readily distinguishable by a user during normal use.

As used herein, the terms “upstream”, “downstream”, “proximal” and “distal” are used to describe the relative positions of elements, or portions of elements, of aerosol-generating articles, aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating systems according to the disclosure. Aerosolgenerating articles as described herein comprise a proximal end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating article. The proximal end may also be referred to as the mouth end. In use, a user draws on the proximal end or mouth end of the aerosol-generating article in order to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article comprises a distal end opposite the proximal end or mouth end. The proximal end or mouth end of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the downstream end. The distal end of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating article may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal or downstream end and the distal or upstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

As used herein, the term “different colour” is used to refer to a colour that differs from another colour by a AE of at least 10 according to the CIEDE2000 colour difference formula. The aerosol-generating article comprises a mouthpiece segment positioned at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The mouthpiece segment comprises a fibrous material. For example, the mouthpiece segment may be formed of a fibrous filtration material. The mouthpiece segment is preferably a solid plug. The mouthpiece segment may be a solid plug of fibrous material. The mouthpiece segment may comprise a solid cylindrical plug element having a filled cross-section.

As used herein, the term “solid plug” refers to a plug of material that does not have a tubular or annular shape.

The mouthpiece segment may be a mouth-end filter. The mouthpiece segment may be formed of a porous material. The mouthpiece segment may be formed of a biodegradable material. The mouthpiece segment may comprise at least one of cellulose acetate fibres and polylactic acid fibres.

The mouthpiece segment may be formed of cellulose acetate. For example, the mouthpiece segment may be formed from a bundle of cellulose acetate fibres having a denier per filament of between 10 and 15. The mouthpiece segment may comprise a plug of tow. For example, the mouthpiece segment may be formed from relatively low density cellulose acetate tow, such as cellulose acetate tow comprising fibres of 12 denier per filament.

The mouthpiece segment may be formed of a cellulose material. The cellulose material may comprise a paper material formed from a plurality of cellulose fibres. The cellulose material may comprise a plurality of natural fibres. The natural fibres may be one or more of flax fibres, hemp fibres, jute fibres, kenaf fibres, ramie fibres, abaca fibres, phormium fibres, sisal fibres, coir fibres, cotton fibres and kapok fibres. The cellulose material may comprise a plurality of regenerated cellulose fibres. The regenerated cellulose fibres may be one or more of viscose fibres, modal fibres, lyocell fibres and viscose rayon fibres. The cellulose material may further comprise an additive coating applied to the paper material, the plurality of natural fibres, or the plurality of regenerated cellulose fibres. The additive coating may comprise at least 5 percent by weight of exogenous lignin on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, the mouthpiece segment has a low particulate filtration efficiency. The mouthpiece segment may be unventilated such that air does not enter the aerosol-generating article along the mouthpiece segment.

Preferably, the mouthpiece segment has a width that is approximately equal to the width of the aerosol-generating article. The width of the mouthpiece segment may be between 5 millimetres and 10 millimetres, between 5.5 millimetres and 9 millimetres, or between 6 millimetres and 8 millimetres.

As used herein, the term “width” is used to describe the maximum transverse dimension of elements, or portions of elements, of aerosol-generating articles, aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating systems according to the disclosure. For the avoidance of doubt, as used herein the term “diameter” may also be used to refer to the “width” of elements, or portions of elements, of aerosol-generating articles, aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating systems according to the disclosure, which have a circular transverse cross-section.

As used herein, the term “transverse” is used to describe the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Unless otherwise stated, references to the “cross-section” of the aerosol-generating article or a component of the aerosol-generating article refer to the transverse cross-section, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction or axis.

The aerosol-generating article comprises an upstream segment positioned at an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The upstream segment comprises a fibrous material. The upstream segment is preferably a solid plug. The upstream segment may be a solid plug of fibrous material. The upstream segment may comprise a solid cylindrical plug element having a filled cross-section.

Advantageously, providing an upstream segment prevents direct physical contact with the upstream end of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the upstream segment may prevent direct physical contact between the plug of aerosol-forming substrate and an aerosolgenerating device. Furthermore, the presence of an upstream segment helps to prevent any loss of the aerosol-forming substrate, which may be advantageous, for example, if the aerosol-forming substrate contains particulate plant material. Advantageously, the upstream segment may prevent a heating element, such as a susceptor, from falling out of the aerosol-generating article.

The upstream segment may be made of a porous material or may comprise a plurality of openings. This may, for example, be achieved through laser perforation. Preferably, the plurality of openings is distributed homogeneously over the cross-section of the upstream segment. The porosity or permeability of the upstream segment may advantageously provide an aerosolgenerating article with a particular overall resistance to draw (RTD) without substantially impacting the filtration provided by other portions of the article.

The upstream segment may, for example, be made of a same material as described herein for the mouthpiece segment. The upstream segment may be formed of a biodegradable material. The upstream segment may comprise at least one of cellulose acetate fibres and polylactic acid fibres.

The upstream segment may be formed of cellulose acetate. For example, the upstream segment may be formed from a bundle of cellulose acetate fibres having a denier per filament of between 10 and 15. The upstream segment may comprise a plug of tow. For example, the upstream segment may be formed from relatively low density cellulose acetate tow, such as cellulose acetate tow comprising fibres of 12 denier per filament.

The upstream segment may be formed of a cellulose material. The cellulose material may comprise a paper material formed from a plurality of cellulose fibres. The cellulose material may comprise a plurality of natural fibres. The natural fibres may be one or more of flax fibres, hemp fibres, jute fibres, kenaf fibres, ramie fibres, abaca fibres, phormium fibres, sisal fibres, coir fibres, cotton fibres and kapok fibres. The cellulose material may comprise a plurality of regenerated cellulose fibres. The regenerated cellulose fibres may be one or more of viscose fibres, modal fibres, lyocell fibres and viscose rayon fibres. The cellulose material may further comprise an additive coating applied to the paper material, the plurality of natural fibres, or the plurality of regenerated cellulose fibres. The additive coating may comprise at least 5 percent by weight of exogenous lignin on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, the upstream segment has a maximum width that is approximately equal to the width of the aerosol-generating article. The maximum width of the upstream segment may be between 5 millimetres and 10 millimetres, between 5.5 millimetres and 9 millimetres, or between 6 millimetres and 8 millimetres.

Each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment may comprise a plug of tow. Each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment may comprise any of the fibrous materials described herein. Each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment may comprise at least one of cellulose acetate fibres and polylactic acid fibres. For example, each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment may comprise cellulose acetate fibres.

Each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment may be a solid plug of fibrous material.

The upstream segment may comprise an upstream end face defining the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The mouthpiece segment may comprise a downstream end face defining the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment is white. Preferably, the entire mouthpiece segment is white.

As used herein, the term “white” is used to refer to colours having red, green and blue (RGB) colour values each of at least 235 in the 8-bit RGB colour model.

Users may be familiar with or accustomed to the mouthpiece filter segments of combustible cigarettes typically being white. Therefore, providing aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention with a white mouthpiece segment may advantageously assist a user in determining which end of the aerosol-generating article is the downstream end.

The upstream end face of the upstream segment may be a different colour compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment. For example, the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment may be white and the upstream end face of the upstream segment may comprise a colour which is not white.

The entire upstream end face of the upstream segment may be a single colour. The entire downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment may be a single colour. The entire upstream end face of the upstream segment may be a different colour compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment.

The entire downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment may be a different colour compared to the entire upstream end face of the upstream segment.

In some examples, only the upstream end face of the upstream segment comprises the different colour. In other words, the upstream end face of the upstream element may comprise a different colour compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment but the remainder of the upstream element which is downstream of its upstream end face may be the same colour as the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment. For example, the upstream segment may be substantially white with the different colour providing on the upstream end face only. The different colour may be applied as a coating to the upstream end face of the upstream segment. For example, the different colour may be applied to the upstream end face by at least one of printing and dipping.

The entire upstream segment may be the different colour. In other words, the entire upstream segment may be a different colour compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment. Advantageously, providing an upstream segment that is entirely a different colour to the downstream face of the mouthpiece segment may simplify the manufacture of the upstream segment, particularly in embodiments in which multiple upstream segment are cut from a single rod of material.

The mouthpiece segment may have a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape. In other words, the mouthpiece segment may have a constant cross-sectional shape along a length of the mouthpiece segment. For example, the mouthpiece segment may have a circular cylindrical shape.

The upstream segment may have a different outer edge shape compared to the mouthpiece segment. The upstream segment may have a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape. In other words, the upstream segment may have a constant cross-sectional shape along a length of the upstream segment. The upstream segment may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape along its entire length. For example, the upstream segment may have an elliptical cross-sectional shape, an oval cross-sectional shape, or a polygonal cross-sectional shape along its entire length.

The upstream end face of the upstream segment may have a non-circular shape. The upstream end face may have an elliptical shape, an oval shape, or a polygonal shape. The non- circular shape may define a cross-sectional shape of the upstream segment. The cross-sectional shape may be constant along a length of the upstream segment. The cross-sectional shape of the upstream segment may be elliptical, oval, or polygonal. The upstream segment may have an elliptical cylindrical shape, an oval cylindrical shape, or a polygonal prism shape.

The upstream segment may have a cross-sectional shape that varies along a length of the upstream segment. The upstream end face of the upstream segment may have a non-circular shape and a downstream end of the upstream segment may have a circular cross-sectional shape. The upstream end face may have an elliptical shape, an oval shape, or a polygonal shape. Preferably, at least 50 percent of the length of the upstream segment extending from the downstream end of the upstream segment has a circular cross-sectional shape. Advantageously, providing part of the upstream segment with a circular cross-sectional shape may facilitate correct positioning of the upstream segment during manufacture of the aerosol-generating article.

As used herein the term “longitudinal” is used to describe the direction between the downstream end or proximal end and the opposed upstream end or distal end of aerosolgenerating articles, aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating systems according to the invention.

As used herein, the term “length” is used to describe the maximum dimension of elements, or portions of elements, of aerosol-generating articles, aerosol-generating devices and aerosolgenerating systems according to the disclosure in the longitudinal direction.

As used herein, the term “circular” refers to a shape having a roundness of at least 0.999, where the roundness of a shape is the ratio of the radius of the inscribed circle to the radius of the circumscribed circle for the shape.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a wrapper. The wrapper may comprise one or more of paper, cardboard, plastics, and metal foil. The wrapper may comprise a cellulosic material. The substrate wrapper may comprise cellulosic material selected from one or more of paper, wood, textile, natural fibres, and artificial fibres. The wrapper may extend along only a part of the length of the aerosol-generating article. For example, in some embodiments the wrapper may not extend along the mouthpiece element. The wrapper may extend along the entire length of the aerosol-generating article. The wrapper may comprise tipping paper.

The wrapper may extend around one or more of the upstream segment, the plug of aerosolforming substrate, and the mouthpiece segment. For example, the wrapper may extend around the upstream segment, the plug of aerosol-forming substrate, and the mouthpiece segment.

The wrapper may comprise multiple wrappers. For example, the wrapper may comprise a first wrapper circumscribing the upstream segment and the plug of aerosol-forming substrate, and a second wrapper circumscribing at least the mouthpiece segment.

The mouthpiece segment may comprise a cylindrical surface in contact with an inner surface of the wrapper. The entire outer surface of the mouthpiece segment which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article may be in contact with an inner surface of the wrapper. At least a portion of an outer surface of the upstream segment may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the wrapper. For example, at least a portion of an outer surface of the upstream segment which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the wrapper. The upstream end face of the upstream segment may have a different surface pattern compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment. For example, the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment may be a single colour.

One of the upstream end face of the upstream segment and the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment may comprise at least one of a surface pattern or an indicium. For example, the upstream end face of the upstream segment may comprise at least one of a surface pattern or an indicium. Only the upstream end face of the upstream segment may comprise the at least one surface pattern or indicium. The at least one surface pattern or indicium may also be present on the cross-section of the upstream segment along the entire length of the upstream segment.

The upstream end face of the upstream segment may comprise a first surface pattern or indicium, and the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment may comprise a second surface pattern or indicium, wherein the first surface pattern or indicium is different to the second surface pattern or indicium.

The upstream segment may comprise a first bundle of fibres each having a first colour and a second bundle of fibres each having a second colour, wherein the first colour is different to the second colour. The first and second bundles of fibres may together define at least a part of the at least one surface pattern or indicium. The entire mouthpiece segment may be a single colour. The single colour may be different to at least one of the first colour and the second colour. Preferably, the single colour is white.

The upstream end face of the upstream segment may have a different texture compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment.

The downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment and the upstream end face of the upstream segment may have a different surface smoothness. The difference in surface smoothness may be significant enough to enable the user to distinguish the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment and the upstream end face of the upstream segment from each other by touch.

Advantageously, providing an upstream end face of the upstream segment with a different surface smoothness to a downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment may allow a user to distinguish the ends of the aerosol-generating article by touch without requiring visual inspection of the aerosol-generating article. This may have particular advantages if, for example, the user is visually impaired.

The smoothness of a surface may be characterised by Bekk smoothness. The smoothness (Bekk smoothness number) expressed in Bekk seconds may be measured by means of a standard test using a BEKK Smoothness Tester, which creates a vacuum and measures the time it takes for the vacuum to drop from 50.66 kPa to 48.00 kPa. The test is recognised by ISO Standard 5627:1995. The higher the Bekk smoothness value, the smoother the surface of the material.

The ratio of the Bekk smoothness of the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment to the Bekk smoothness of the upstream end face of the upstream segment is preferably at least 10:1 , preferably at least 20:1 , more preferably at least 30:1 , or even more preferably at least 40:1 .

Alternatively, the ratio of the Bekk smoothness of the upstream end face of the upstream segment to the Bekk smoothness of the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment is preferably at least 10:1 , preferably at least 20:1 , more preferably at least 30:1 , or even more preferably at least 40:1 .

The upstream end face of the upstream segment may comprise at least one embossed or debossed area. The at least one embossed or debossed area may comprise a plurality of areas each comprising at least one of an embossment and a debossment. The plurality of areas may form a repeating pattern of surface texture on the upstream end face of the upstream segment. The downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment may be free of embossing and debossing.

The downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment may comprise at least one embossed or debossed area. The upstream end face of the upstream segment may be free of embossing and debossing.

The maximum height of the protrusions of an embossment or the maximum depth of the recesses of a debossment are preferably between 15 micrometres and 25 micrometres.

Both the upstream end face of the upstream segment and the downstream end face of the mouthpiece may comprise at least one embossed or debossed area, wherein the at least one embossed or debossed area of the upstream end face of the upstream segment and the at least one embossed or debossed area of the downstream end face of the mouthpiece have a different texture to each other.

The term “embossment” is used herein to refer to protrusions formed in the surface of a segment. These protrusions may be carved, moulded or stamped into the surface of a segment. The portion of a surface carrying such embossments is said to be embossed.

The term “debossment” is used herein to refer to recesses formed in the surface of a segment. These recesses may be carved, moulded or stamped into the surface of a segment.

The portion of a surface carrying such debossments is said to be debossed.

The aerosol-generating article may have a length of between 40 millimetres and 80 millimetres, between 45 millimetres and 80 millimetres, between 40 millimetres and 70 millimetres, between 45 millimetres and 70 millimetres, between 40 millimetres and 60 millimetres, between 45 millimetres and 60 millimetres, between 40 millimetres and 50 millimetres, between 45 millimetres and 50 millimetres, or about 45 millimetres.

The plug of aerosol-forming substrate may have a length of between 1 millimetre and 30 millimetres, between 5 millimetres and 22 millimetres, between 8 millimetres and 16 millimetres, between 9 millimetres and 15 millimetres, between 9 millimetres and 14 millimetres, between 10 millimetres and 14 millimetres, between 1 1 millimetres and 13 millimetres, or about 12 millimetres.

The mouthpiece segment may have a length of greater than or equal to 5 millimetres, greater than or equal to 6 millimetres, greater than or equal to 10 millimetres, or greater than or equal to 11 millimetres. The mouthpiece segment may have a length of less than or equal to 25 millimetres, less than or equal to 20 millimetres, less than or equal to 15 millimetres, less than or equal to 14 millimetres, less than or equal to 13 millimetres, less than or equal to 12 millimetres, less than or equal to 10 millimetres, or less than or equal to 8 millimetres. For example, the mouthpiece segment may have a length of between 5 millimetres and 15 millimetres.

The upstream segment may have a length of less than or equal to 10 millimetres, less than or equal to 8 millimetres, less than or equal to 6 millimetres, or less than or equal to 5 millimetres. The upstream segment may have a length of greater than or equal to 2 millimetres, greater than or equal to 3 millimetres, or greater than or equal to 4 millimetres. For example, the upstream segment may have a length of between 3 millimetres and 8 millimetres.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a susceptor element. The susceptor element may be positioned within the plug of aerosol-forming substrate.

As used herein, the term “susceptor” denotes a material that is capable of being heated when penetrated by a varying magnetic field.

The susceptor element may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the susceptor element may comprise a metal or carbon. The susceptor element may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, for example a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron, or a ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel. A suitable material may be, or comprise, aluminium. The susceptor element may be formed from 400 series stainless steels, for example grade 410, or grade 420, or grade 430 stainless steel.

The plug of aerosol-forming substrate may be positioned immediately downstream of the upstream segment.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate.

As used herein, the term “tobacco material” is used to describe any material comprising tobacco, including, but not limited to, tobacco leaf, tobacco rib, tobacco stem, tobacco stalk, tobacco dust, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco material and homogenised tobacco material.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised tobacco material. As used herein, the term ‘homogenised tobacco material’ denotes a material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more sheets of homogenised tobacco material. As used herein, the term “sheet” denotes a laminar element having a width and length substantially greater than the thickness thereof.

The one or more sheets of tobacco material may each individually have a length substantially the same as the length of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material. As used herein, the term ‘gathered’ is used to describe a sheet that is convoluted, folded, or otherwise compressed or constricted substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

The sheet of homogenised tobacco material may be crimped. As used herein, the term ‘crimped’ denotes a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gathered, crimped sheet of homogenised tobacco material. Preferably, when the aerosol-generating article has been assembled, the substantially parallel ridges or corrugations extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosolgenerating article.

The sheet of homogenized tobacco material may be a cast sheet.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco cut filler and preferably an aerosolformer content in the aerosol-forming substrate is at least about 8 percent by weight.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise strands of reconstituted or reprocessed tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise crimped fibre pieces of reconstituted or reprocessed tobacco.

As used herein, the term “strand” describes an elongate element of material having a length that is substantially greater than the width and thickness thereof. The term “strand” should be considered to encompass strips, shreds and any other homogenised plant material having a similar form. The strands of homogenised plant material may be formed from a sheet of homogenised plant material, for example by cutting or shredding, or by other methods, for example, by an extrusion method.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine.

As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “nicotine” is used to describe nicotine, a nicotine base or a nicotine salt. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise natural nicotine or synthetic nicotine.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more monoprotic nicotine salts.

As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “monoprotic nicotine salt” is used to describe a nicotine salt of a monoprotic acid.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one of one or more cellulose based agents, one or more aerosol formers, and one or more carboxylic acids. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be one of a solid aerosol-generating film or a solid aerosol-generating gel.

As used herein, the term “film” is used to describe a solid laminar element having a thickness that is less than the width or length thereof. The film may be self-supporting. In other words, a film may have cohesion and mechanical properties such that the film, even if obtained by casting a film-forming formulation on a support surface, can be separated from the support surface. Alternatively, the film may be disposed on a support or sandwiched between other materials. This may enhance the mechanical stability of the film.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plurality of shreds of tobacco material, such as tobacco cut filler or shreds of homogenised tobacco material.

As used herein, the term “shred” denotes an element having a length substantially greater than a width and a thickness thereof.

Shreds of homogenised tobacco material may be formed from a sheet of homogenised tobacco material, for example, by cutting or shredding. Shreds of homogenised tobacco material may be formed by other methods, for example, by extrusion.

The tobacco may comprise at least one of cut filler and cast leaf.

The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises an aerosol former. The aerosol former may be any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense and stable aerosol. The aerosol former may be facilitating that the aerosol is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at temperatures typically applied during use of the aerosol-generating article. Suitable aerosol formers are for example: polyhydric alcohols such as, for example, triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol, propylene glycol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols such as, for example, glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids such as, for example, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate; and combinations thereof.

The aerosol former may comprise one or more of glycerine and propylene glycol. The aerosol former may consist of glycerine or propylene glycol or of a combination of glycerine and propylene glycol.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise ventilation. The aerosol-generating article may comprise ventilation apertures. The aerosol-generating article may comprise at least one ventilation aperture positioned downstream of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise at least one hollow tubular element.

As used herein, the term “hollow tubular element" is used to denote a generally elongate element defining a lumen or airflow passage along a longitudinal axis thereof. In particular, the term "tubular" will be used in the following with reference to a tubular element having a substantially cylindrical cross-section and defining at least one airflow conduit establishing an uninterrupted fluid communication between an upstream end of the tubular element and a downstream end of the tubular element. However, it will be understood that alternative geometries (for example, alternative cross-sectional shapes) of the tubular element may be possible.

The at least one hollow tubular element may be formed from at least one of: cardboard, paper, a polymeric material, a cellulosic material, cellulose acetate low density polyethylene (LDPE), and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). Where the at least one hollow tubular element is formed from paper, the paper may be crimped paper, such as crimped heat resistant paper or crimped parchment paper.

The at least one hollow tubular element may comprise an aerosol-cooling element immediately downstream of the hollow tubular element. The aerosol-cooling element may comprise a gathered sheet of polylactic acid.

As used herein, an “aerosol-cooling element” refers to a component of an aerosolgenerating article located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate such that, in use, an aerosol formed by volatile compounds released from the aerosol-forming substrate passes through and is cooled by the aerosol-cooling element before being inhaled by the user.

The hollow tubular element may be a first hollow tubular element. The aerosol-cooling element may comprise a second hollow tubular element. That is, the aerosol-generating article may comprise a first hollow tubular element and a second hollow tubular element. The first hollow tubular element may have a first internal diameter. The second hollow tubular element may have a second internal diameter. The second internal diameter may be greater than the first internal diameter. Each of the first hollow tubular element and the second hollow tubular element may comprise a cellulose acetate tube or a cardboard tube. The first hollow tubular element may have a length of between 3 millimetres and 13 millimetres, between 6 millimetres and 10 millimetres, between 7 millimetres and 9 millimetres, or about 8 millimetres. The second hollow tubular element may have a length of between 3 millimetres and 13 millimetres, between 6 millimetres and 10 millimetres, between 7 millimetres and 9 millimetres, or about 8 millimetres.

The at least one hollow tubular element may be positioned between the plug of aerosolforming substrate and the mouthpiece segment. For example, the first hollow tubular element and the second hollow tubular element may be positioned between the plug of aerosol-forming substrate and the mouthpiece segment. The at least one hollow tubular element may comprise a hollow tubular element immediately downstream of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate.

The at least one hollow tubular element may comprise one or both of a hollow acetate tube (HAT) and a fine hollow acetate tube (FHAT).

The at least one hollow tubular element may comprise a HAT and a FHAT. The FHAT may be arranged downstream of the HAT. The inner width of the FHAT may be larger than the inner width of the HAT. The wall thickness of the HAT may be larger than the wall thickness of the FHAT. The HAT has a HAT length. The FHAT has a FHAT length. The HAT length may be between 3 millimetres and 13 millimetres, between 6 millimetres and 10 millimetres, between 7 millimetres and 9 millimetres, or about 8 millimetres. The FHAT length may be between 3 millimetres and 13 millimetres, between 6 millimetres and 10 millimetres, between 7 millimetres and 9 millimetres, or about 8 millimetres. One or both of the HAT and the FHAT may comprise a ventilation zone. Preferably, the FHAT comprises a ventilation zone at a location along the FHAT.

An aerosol-generating system may be provided. The aerosol-generating system may comprise any of the aerosol-generating articles described herein and an aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating element, or part of a heating element, for heating the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a chamber for receiving an electric heater.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” denotes a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. In some examples, the aerosol-generating device heats the aerosol-forming substrate to facilitate release of volatile compounds from the substrate.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating system” refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article.

Since the aerosol-generating system of this disclosure comprises an aerosol-generating article described herein, the advantages specified above for the aerosol-generating articles also apply to the system itself.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise an electric heater.

The electric heater may comprise an inductor coil. Where a susceptor element is provided, the aerosol-generating device may comprise an inductor coil arranged to inductively heat the susceptor element. The aerosol-generating device may comprise an inductor coil. Where the aerosol-generating device comprises a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the aerosolgenerating article, the inductor coil may at least partly circumscribe the chamber for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article. The inductor coil may be arranged to coaxially circumscribe the chamber for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

The electric heater may comprise a resistive heater. The resistive heater may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the aerosol-generating device. The resistive heater may have a tubular shape. The resistive heater may be arranged to be at least partially received within the aerosolgenerating article is inserted into the aerosol-generating device. The resistive heater may have an elongate shape.

The aerosol-generating system may further comprise a power supply.

The aerosol-generating system may comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to control a supply of power from the power supply to the electric heater. The controller may be configured to control a supply of alternating electric current from the power supply to the inductor coil to generate an alternating magnetic field.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a power supply. The power supply may be a DC power supply. The power supply may a battery. The power supply may be a nickel- metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium based battery, for example a lithiumcobalt, a lithium-iron-phosphate or a lithium-polymer battery. The power supply may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that allows for the storage of enough energy for one or more user operations, for example one or more aerosol-generating experiences.

Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example 1 : An aerosol-generating article comprising: an upstream segment positioned at an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article; a mouthpiece segment positioned at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article; and a plug of aerosol-forming substrate positioned between the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment; wherein each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment comprises a fibrous material; and wherein the upstream segment has at least one of a different colour, a different outer edge shape, a different surface pattern, and a different texture compared to the mouthpiece segment.

Example 2: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 1 , wherein each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment comprises a plug of tow.

Example s: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 1 or 2, wherein each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment comprises at least one of a paper material comprising cellulose fibres, a plurality of natural cellulose fibres, a plurality of regenerated cellulose fibres, a plurality of cellulose acetate fibres, and a plurality of polylactic acid fibres.

Example 4: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment is a solid plug of fibrous material.

Example 5: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the upstream segment comprises an upstream end face defining the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and wherein the mouthpiece segment comprises a downstream end face defining the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. Example 6: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 5, wherein the upstream end face of the upstream segment is a different colour compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment.

Example ?: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 6, wherein the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment is white.

Example 8: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 7, wherein the entire mouthpiece segment is white.

Example 9: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 7 or 8, wherein only the upstream end face of the upstream segment comprises the different colour.

Example 10: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 7 or 8, wherein the entire upstream segment is the different colour.

Example 1 1 : An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the mouthpiece segment has a circular cylindrical shape and wherein the upstream segment has a different shape compared to the mouthpiece segment.

Example 12: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 11 , further comprising a wrapper extending around the upstream segment, the plug of aerosol-forming substrate, and the mouthpiece segment, wherein the mouthpiece segment comprises a cylindrical surface in contact with an inner surface of the wrapper, and wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the upstream segment is spaced apart from inner surface of the wrapper.

Example 13: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 12, wherein an upstream end face of the upstream segment has a non-circular shape.

Example 14: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 13, wherein the noncircular shape defines a cross-sectional shape of the upstream segment, and wherein the cross- sectional shape is constant along a length of the upstream segment.

Example 15: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 14, wherein the cross- sectional shape of the upstream segment is elliptical, oval, or polygonal.

Example 16: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 11 , wherein the upstream segment has an elliptical cylindrical shape, an oval cylindrical shape, or a polygonal prism shape.

Example 17: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the upstream segment comprises an upstream end face defining the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the mouthpiece segment comprises a downstream end face defining the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article, and wherein the upstream end face of the upstream segment has a different surface pattern compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment.

Example 18: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 17, wherein the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment is a single colour. Example 19: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 17 or 18, wherein the upstream end face of the upstream segment comprises at least one of a surface pattern or an indicium.

Example 20: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 19, wherein only the upstream end face of the upstream segment comprises the at least one surface pattern or indicium.

Example 21 : An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the upstream segment comprises a first bundle of fibres each having a first colour and a second bundle of fibres each having a second colour, wherein the first colour is different to the second colour.

Example 22: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 21 in combination with Example 19, wherein the first and second bundles of fibres together define at least a part of the at least one surface pattern or indicium.

Example 23: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the entire mouthpiece segment is a single colour.

Example 24: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 23 in combination with Example 21 or 22, wherein the single colour is different to at least one of the first colour and the second colour.

Example 25: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 23 or 24, wherein the single colour is white.

Example 26: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example and including the features of Example 5, wherein the upstream end face of the upstream segment has a different texture compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment.

Example 27: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 26, wherein the upstream end face of the upstream segment comprises at least one embossed or debossed area.

Example 28: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 27, wherein the at least one embossed or debossed area comprises a plurality of areas each comprising at least one of an embossment and a debossment.

Example 29: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 28, wherein the plurality of areas forming a repeating pattern of surface texture on the upstream end face of the upstream segment.

Example 30: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment is free of embossing and debossing.

Example 31 : An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the mouthpiece segment has a length of between 5 millimetres and 15 millimetres. Example 32: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the upstream segment has a length of between 3 millimetres and 8 millimetres.

Example 33: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, further comprising a susceptor element.

Example 34: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 33, wherein the susceptor element is positioned within the plug of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 35: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the plug of aerosol-forming substrate is positioned immediately downstream of the upstream segment.

Example 36: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises tobacco.

Example 37: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 36, wherein the tobacco comprises at least one of cut filler and cast leaf.

Example 38: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, further comprising at least one hollow tubular element positioned between the plug of aerosol-forming substrate and the mouthpiece segment.

Example 39: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 38, wherein the at least one hollow tubular element comprises a hollow tubular element immediately downstream of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate and an aerosol-cooling element immediately downstream of the hollow tubular element.

Example 40: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 39, wherein the hollow tubular element is a first hollow tubular element and wherein the aerosol-cooling element comprises a second hollow tubular element.

Example 41 : An aerosol-generating article according to Example 40, wherein the first hollow tubular element has a first internal diameter, wherein the second hollow tubular element has a second internal diameter, and wherein the second internal diameter is greater than the first internal diameter.

Example 42: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 40 or 41 , wherein each of the first hollow tubular element and the second hollow tubular element comprises an acetate tube or a cardboard tube.

Example 43: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 39, wherein the aerosol-cooling element comprises a gathered sheet of polylactic acid.

Example 44: An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example, further comprising at least one ventilation aperture positioned downstream of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 45: An aerosol-generating system comprising: an aerosol-generating article according to any preceding Example; and an aerosol-generating device comprising a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article and an electric heater.

Example 46: An aerosol-generating system according to Example 45, wherein the electric heater comprises an inductor coil.

Example 47: An aerosol-generating system according to Example 45 or 46, further comprising a power supply and a controller configured to control a supply of power from the power supply to the electric heater.

Example 48: An aerosol-generating system according to the combination of Examples 46 and 47, wherein the controller is configured to control a supply of alternating electric current from the power supply to the inductor coil to generate an alternating magnetic field.

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

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 4A along the plane indicated by the dashed line 4-4;

Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 5A along the plane indicated by the dashed line 5-5; and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosolgenerating article of Figure 1 and an aerosol-generating device.

Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol-generating article 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape along its length. The aerosol-generating article 10 comprises a plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12. The plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape along its length and comprises a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco.

The aerosol-generating article 10 further comprises a downstream section, located downstream of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12. The downstream section comprises a first hollow tubular element 14, a second hollow tubular element 15, and a mouthpiece segment 18. A longitudinal axis 7 extends centrally along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article 10.

The mouthpiece segment 18 is located at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article 10. The mouthpiece segment 18 is a solid cylindrical plug element having a filled crosssection. The mouthpiece segment 18 abuts the downstream end of the second hollow tubular element 15. The mouthpiece segment 18 comprises a low-density, cellulose acetate filter segment. The RTD of the mouthpiece segment 18 is about 18 millimetres of water gauge. The length of the mouthpiece segment 18 is 12 millimetres. The diameter of the mouthpiece segment 18 is 7.2 millimetres.

The mouthpiece segment 18 is white.

The aerosol-generating article 10 further comprises an upstream segment 11 at an upstream end of the article 10. The upstream segment 11 is a solid cylindrical plug element having a filled cross-section. The upstream segment 1 1 comprises cellulose acetate. In this embodiment, the length of the upstream segment 11 is 5 millimetres. The upstream segment 11 , the plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12, the first hollow tubular element 14, the second hollow tubular element 15, and the mouthpiece segment 18 are arranged end-to-end along the longitudinal axis 7.

The upstream segment 11 is a different colour to the mouthpiece segment 18. In this embodiment, the upstream segment 1 1 is grey. It will be appreciated that the upstream segment could be any suitable colour provided that the upstream segment 11 is a different colour to the mouthpiece segment 18 so that the upstream segment 1 1 is visually distinguishable from the mouthpiece segment 18.

The upstream segment 11 , the plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12, the first hollow tubular element 14 and the second hollow tubular element 15 are circumscribed by a first wrapper 16. The second hollow tubular element 15 and the mouthpiece segment 18 are circumscribed by a second wrapper 19.

The plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12 has a plug length parallel to the longitudinal axis 7 of the aerosol-generating article 10 and a plug diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 7 of the aerosol-generating article 10. The plug diameter is substantially uniform along the plug length. In this embodiment, the plug diameter is 7.1 millimetres and the plug length is 12 millimetres. The length of the aerosol-generating article 10 is 45 millimetres.

The aerosol-generating article 10 further comprises a susceptor element 17 arranged within the plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12. The susceptor element 17 is configured to be heated when penetrated by a varying magnetic field. The length of the susceptor element 17 is approximately equal to the length of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12. In other words, the length of the susceptor element 17 is 12 millimetres. The width of the susceptor element 17 is 4 millimetres and the thickness of the susceptor element 17 is 60 micrometres. As mentioned above, the downstream section comprises a mouthpiece segment 18, a second hollow tubular element 15, and a first hollow tubular element 14. The downstream section extends between the plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12 and the downstream end of the aerosolgenerating article 10. The downstream section has a length of 28 millimetres. The second hollow tubular element 15 is downstream of the first hollow tubular element 14. The first hollow tubular element 14 is a hollow acetate tube. The second hollow tubular element 15 is a hollow acetate tube. The first hollow tubular element 14 abuts the downstream end of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12. The length of the first hollow tubular element 14 is 8 millimetres. The length of the second hollow tubular element 15 is 8 millimetres.

The first hollow tubular element 14 comprises a lumen. The lumen of the first hollow tubular element 14 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The second hollow tubular element 15 comprises a lumen. The lumen of the second hollow tubular element 15 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The diameter of the lumen (inner width) of the second hollow tubular element 15 is larger than the diameter of the lumen (inner width) of the first hollow tubular element 14. The wall thickness of the second hollow tubular element 15 is smaller than the wall thickness of the first hollow tubular element 14. The second hollow tubular element 15 may be referred to as a fine hollow acetate tube (FHAT). The wall thickness of the second hollow tubular element 15 is 1 .05 millimetres. The wall thickness of the first hollow tubular element 14 is 1 .9 millimetres. The outer diameter of each of the first hollow tubular element 14 and the second hollow tubular element 15 is 7.1 millimetres. The combined RTD of the first hollow tubular element 14 and the second hollow tubular element 15 is about 0 millimetres of water gauge.

The second hollow tubular element 15 comprises a ventilation zone at a location along the second hollow tubular element 15. It will be appreciated that the ventilation zone could alternatively or in addition be provided at a location along the first hollow tubular element 14. The ventilation zone comprises one or more rows of ventilation holes 13 arranged circumferentially around the second hollow tubular element 15 in a cross-section that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 7 of the aerosol-generating article 10. The ventilation holes 13 are perforations through the wall of the second hollow tubular element 15. A ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article 10 is about 50 percent. Each circumferential row of ventilation holes 13 comprises about 1 1 holes. The ventilation holes 13 extend through both the first wrapper 16 and the second wrapper 19 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 7. The distance of the ventilation holes 13 from the downstream end of the article 10 is 18 millimetres.

Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article 100 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol-generating article 100 differs from the aerosol-generating article 10 only in that a different upstream segment 1 11 and a different mouthpiece segment 118 are provided. Like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. Both the mouthpiece segment 118 and the upstream segment 11 1 are white in colour. However, the upstream segment 1 11 has a different surface texture compared to the mouthpiece segment 1 18. In particular, the upstream segment 1 11 has a different surface smoothness compared to the mouthpiece segment 1 18. Therefore, the mouthpiece segment 1 18 and the upstream segment 1 11 are distinguishable by touch.

Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article 200 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol-generating article 200 differs from the aerosol-generating article 10 only in that a different upstream segment 211 is provided. Like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

The upstream segment 21 1 comprises an upstream end face 221 and a body 222 extending downstream from the upstream end face 221. The upstream end face 221 is the only exposed face of the upstream segment 21 1 . The upstream end face 221 of the upstream segment 21 1 is a different colour to the mouthpiece segment 18. In this embodiment, the upstream end face 221 of the upstream segment 211 is grey. The body 222 of the upstream segment 21 1 is the same colour as the mouthpiece segment 18, which in this embodiment is white. It will be appreciated that the upstream end face 221 of the upstream segment 211 could be any suitable colour provided that the upstream end face 221 of the upstream segment 21 1 is a different colour to the mouthpiece segment 18 so that the upstream segment 211 is visually distinguishable from the mouthpiece segment 18.

Figure 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article 300 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol-generating article 300 differs from the aerosol-generating article 10 only in that a different upstream segment 311 is provided. Like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

The mouthpiece segment 18 is entirely white.

The upstream segment 31 1 comprises a core 321 and a shell 322 which are integrally formed to form a solid cylindrical plug element having a filled cross-section. The core 321 and the shell 322 together form a circular upstream end face 323 of the upstream segment 311 , which is exposed. The core 321 is a different colour to the shell 322 and a different colour to the mouthpiece segment 18. In this embodiment, the core 321 is grey and the shell 322 is white. The core 321 has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape.

Figure 4B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating article 300 of Figure 4A along the plane indicated by dashed line 4-4. The view of Figure 4B shows the exposed upstream end face 323 of the upstream segment 31 1. A user viewing the circular upstream end face 323 of the upstream segment 311 from this perspective will see an indicium in the form of a grey hexagonal shape surrounded by a white shell. The grey hexagonal shape at the centre of the circular upstream face 323 allows the upstream segment 31 1 to be visually distinguished from the entirely white mouthpiece segment 18 that has a plain white exposed downstream end face.

It will be appreciated that the shell 322 could be a different colour from the mouthpiece segment 18 and the core 321 could be the same colour as the mouthpiece segment 18. It will also be appreciated that the core 321 could be a different colour to the shell 322, and both the core 321 and the shell 322 could be different colours compared to the mouthpiece segment 18. It will also be appreciated that the core 321 may have any suitable shape.

Figure 5A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article 400 according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol-generating article 400 differs from the aerosol-generating article 10 only in that a different upstream segment 411 is provided. Like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

The mouthpiece segment 18 is entirely white.

The upstream segment 41 1 is provided as a solid plug element having a filled crosssection that is hexagonal in shape. The hexagonal upstream face 423 of the upstream segment 41 1 is exposed. The upstream segment 41 1 is also entirely white in colour. The upstream segment 41 1 comprising a white hexagonal prism shape is visually distinguishable from the white cylindrical mouthpiece segment 18. In particular, due to the hexagonal cross-sectional shape of the upstream segment 411 , portions of an outer edge of the upstream segment 411 are spaced apart from the first wrapper 16. This is illustrated in Figure 5B, which shows a schematic cross- sectional view of the aerosol-generating article 400 of Figure 5A along the plane indicated by dashed line 5-5. The mouthpiece segment 18 comprises a cylindrical surface entirely in contact with an inner surface of the second wrapper 19.

It will be appreciated that the upstream segment 411 may have any suitable shape. In alternative embodiments, the upstream segment 411 may have a cross-sectional shape that varies along the length of the upstream segment 411 . For example, the upstream segment 411 may have an upstream portion having a non-circular cross-sectional shape and a downstream portion having a circular cross-sectional shape.

Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol-generating system 1000 comprising the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1 and an aerosol-generating device 500.

In this embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 10 comprises a susceptor element 17 arranged within the plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12. The susceptor element 17 is configured to be heated when penetrated by a varying magnetic field.

The aerosol-generating device 500 comprises an inductor coil 526 circumscribing a chamber 521 so that the inductor coil 526 surrounds the susceptor element 17 when the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article 10 is inserted into the chamber 521 . The inductor coil 526 is arranged to generate a varying magnetic field in the chamber 521 , which penetrates the susceptor element 17 to inductively heat the susceptor element 17.

The chamber 521 is configured to receive the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article 10. A distal end of the chamber 521 has a closed end and a proximal end of the chamber 521 has an open end. The upstream end of the aerosol-generating article 10 is insertable into the chamber 521 via the open end of the chamber 521 .

In use, the user inserts the aerosol-generating article 10 into the chamber 521 of the aerosol-generating device 500.

The aerosol-generating device 500 further comprises a power supply (not shown) and control electronics (not shown) arranged to supply power to the inductor coil 526 to generate the varying magnetic field in the chamber 521 .

The inductively heated susceptor element 17 heats the plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12 when the aerosol-generating article 10 is received correctly in the chamber 521 . Actuation of the inductor coil 526 may be manually operated or may occur automatically in response to a user drawing on the aerosol-generating article 10 when the aerosol-generating article 10 is inserted into the chamber 521 .

The entire length of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12 is received in the chamber 521 when the upstream end aerosol-generating article 10 is inserted into the chamber 521. The chamber 521 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The chamber 521 has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the plug of aerosol-forming substrate 12. The ventilation holes of the second hollow tubular element of the aerosol-generating article 10 are not received in the chamber 521 .

During use, the inductor coil 526 is controlled to heat the susceptor element 17 within a defined operating temperature range, below a maximum operating temperature. The operating temperature of the susceptor element 17 is about 350 degrees Celsius.

It will be appreciated that the aerosol-generating device 500 may be used in the same way with any of the alternative aerosol-generating articles of Figures 2 to 5B.

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 10% of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1 . An aerosol-generating article comprising: an upstream segment positioned at an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article; a mouthpiece segment positioned at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article; and a plug of aerosol-forming substrate positioned between the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment; wherein each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment comprises a fibrous material; and wherein the upstream segment has at least one of a different colour, a different outer edge shape, a different surface pattern, and a different texture compared to the mouthpiece segment.

2. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 , wherein each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment comprises a plug of tow.

3. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment comprises at least one of a paper material comprising cellulose fibres, a plurality of natural cellulose fibres, a plurality of regenerated cellulose fibres, a plurality of cellulose acetate fibres, and a plurality of polylactic acid fibres.

4. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the upstream segment and the mouthpiece segment is a solid plug of fibrous material.

5. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the upstream segment comprises an upstream end face defining the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and wherein the mouthpiece segment comprises a downstream end face defining the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

6. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 5, wherein the upstream end face of the upstream segment is a different colour compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment.

7. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouthpiece segment has a circular cylindrical shape and wherein the upstream segment has a different shape compared to the mouthpiece segment.

8. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein an upstream end face of the upstream segment has a non-circular shape.

9. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the upstream segment comprises an upstream end face defining the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the mouthpiece segment comprises a downstream end face defining the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article, and wherein the upstream end face of the upstream segment has a different surface pattern compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment.

10. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 9, wherein the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment is a single colour.

11. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the upstream end face of the upstream segment comprises at least one of a surface pattern or an indicium.

12. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the upstream segment comprises a first bundle of fibres each having a first colour and a second bundle of fibres each having a second colour, wherein the first colour is different to the second colour.

13. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the upstream segment comprises an upstream end face defining the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the mouthpiece segment comprises a downstream end face defining the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article, and wherein the upstream end face of the upstream segment has a different texture compared to the downstream end face of the mouthpiece segment.

14. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, further comprising a susceptor element.

15. An aerosol-generating system comprising: an aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim; and an aerosol-generating device comprising a chamber for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article and an electric heater.