JP2022506157A - Smoking substitute consumables - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to aerosol-producing articles, such as non-combustion heated (HNB) consumables, comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a flow limiter element located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. In the axial flow arrangement, aerosol-forming substrates, upstream filter elements, spacer elements, and terminal filter elements are provided. At least one of the filter elements is a hollow filter element. Flow limiter elements are provided upstream of the terminal filter element and downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to, but is not limited to, consumables for use in smoking substitution systems, and more particularly to non-combustion heating (heat-not-burn: HNB) consumables.

Tobacco smoking is generally regarded as exposing smokers to potentially harmful substances. It is generally believed that significant amounts of potentially harmful substances are produced through the burning of tobacco and / or the heat caused by the burning of tobacco, as well as the components of the burning tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself. There is.

Traditional combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes, typically include a columnar tobacco rod containing tobacco strips surrounded by a wrapper and are usually axially aligned with the wound tobacco rod in an abuttal relationship. Also includes a columnar filter. The filter usually contains a filter material circumscribed by a plug wrap. The rolled tobacco rod and filter are bundled together by a rolled strip of chip paper circumscribing the entire length of the filter and adjacent portions of the rolled tobacco rod. Traditional cigarettes of this type are used by igniting the end opposite the filter to burn a cigarette rod. Smokers receive mainstream smoke from their mouth by inhaling at the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.

Burning organic materials such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. Various smoking substitution systems (or "substitute smoking systems") have been proposed to avoid smoking tobacco.

Such smoking substitution systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapy for people who want to quit smoking and overcome their dependence on nicotine.

Smoking substitution systems include an electronic system that allows the user to simulate smoking behavior by producing an aerosol (also known as "steam"), which is inhaled through the mouth into the lungs. (Inhaled) and then exhaled. Inhaled aerosols usually have nicotine and / or flavoring without the odor and health risk associated with conventional smoking, or with less odor and health risk.

In general, smoking substitution systems are intended to provide a substitute for smoking habits while providing users with the same experience and satisfaction that they have experienced with traditional smoking and flammable tobacco products. Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitutes, which are designed to resemble traditional cigarettes and are in the form of a cylinder with a mouthpiece at one end.

The popularity and use of smoking substitution systems has grown rapidly over the past few years. Originally marketed as an aid to addicted smokers who want to quit smoking, consumers are increasingly seeing smoking substitution systems as a desirable lifestyle accessory.

There are several different categories of smoking substitution systems, each utilizing a different smoking substitution approach.

One approach for smoking substitution systems is the so-called "non-combustion heating" ("HNB") approach, in which the tobacco (not the "e-liquid") is heated or heated. Release steam. The tobacco may be a leaf tobacco or a reconstituted tobacco. The vapor can contain nicotine and / or flavor. In the HNB approach, the intent is that the tobacco is heated without being burned, i.e. the tobacco is not burned.

A typical HNB smoking substitution system can include devices and consumables. Consumables can include tobacco material. Devices and consumables may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, the heating element of the device may apply heat to the tobacco material, and the airflow through the tobacco material causes the moisture in the tobacco material to be released as vapor. The vapor may also be formed from carriers in the tobacco material, which carriers may include, for example, propylene glycol and / or vegetable glycerin, as well as volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapor may be accompanied by a stream of air inhaled through the cigarette.

As the vapor passes through the consumables (accompanied by the air stream) from the inlet to the mouthpiece (outlet), the vapor cools and condenses to form an aerosol for user inhalation. Aerosols usually contain volatile compounds.

Known HNB consumables evaporate from tobacco at different temperatures, which can often result in inadequate mixing of vapor components, i.e. incomplete mixing of nicotine and PG / VG. Unmixed nicotine gas can result in unpleasant sensations for the user.

In the HNB smoking substitution system, it is believed that heating, in contrast to burning tobacco material, causes less or less of the more harmful compounds normally produced during smoking. .. As a result, the HNB approach can reduce the odor and / or health risks that can occur through burning tobacco, burning tobacco, and pyrolytic degradation.

An improved design of HNB consumables is needed to enhance the user experience and improve the functionality of the HNB smoking substitution system, for example to improve the mixing of vapor components.

The present disclosure has been devised in view of the above issues.

Most generally, the present disclosure relates to aerosol-forming articles having a flow limiter element located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate, eg, smoking substitutes such as HNB consumables.

According to a first aspect, a non-combustion heated (HNB) consumable is provided that includes an aerosol-forming substrate and a flow limiter element located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate.

In a second aspect, in an axial flow arrangement, an aerosol-forming article (eg, a smoking substitute article such as an HNB consumable) comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, an upstream filter element, a spacer element, and a terminal filter element is provided and the filter element. At least one of the hollow filter elements, the article further comprises a flow limiter element located upstream of the terminal filter element and downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate.

By providing a flow limiter element downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate, the various components of the vapor share the same location and thus mix these components as they pass through the flow limiter element. This means that the user is not exposed to unmixed nicotine gas.

The features of the optional selection will be described below. These are applicable alone or in any combination with any aspect.

The flow limiter element can include a disc or rod with at least one axial perforation or channel. For example, the flow limiter element can include a disk or rod with a single perforation or channel, eg, in its axial center. The perforations / channels or each perforation / channel can have a diameter of 0.5-1.5 mm, for example about 1 mm.

During the manufacture of consumables / articles, the size of the perforations / channels can be selected depending on the desired "hit" delivery of nicotine.

The flow limiter element may be formed from a material that does not allow vapor to pass through, such as metal foil (eg, aluminum foil) or plastic material. In other embodiments, the flow limiter element may be formed from extruded tobacco or activated carbon.

The HNB consumables of the first aspect preferably include an aerosol-forming substrate, an upstream filter element, a spacer element, and a terminal filter element in an axial flow arrangement, wherein at least one of the filter elements is a hollow filter element. The flow limiter element is provided upstream of the terminal filter element and downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate.

In both the first and second aspects, the flow limiter element may be provided upstream of the spacer element. This allows the expansion of the restricted vapor flow into the mixing chamber defined by the spacer element, further improving the mixing of the vapor components. In some embodiments, the limiter element is provided immediately upstream of the spacer element, i.e. intervenes between the upstream filter element and the spacer element.

The aerosol-forming article of the second aspect is preferably a non-combustion heating type (HNB) consumable.

The aerosol-forming substrate can be heated to release at least one volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be located at the upstream end of the article / consumable.

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are intended to refer to the direction of vapor / aerosol flow, that is, the downstream end of the article / consumable is the article / article for the aerosol to be inhaled by the user. The mouth end or exit from the consumables. The upstream end of the article / consumable is the end opposite to the downstream end. The term "axial flow direction" refers to the direction from the upstream end to the downstream end of an article / consumable.

To produce an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least one volatile compound, such a volatile compound is intended to be evaporated / aerosolized and is a distraction to the user when inhaled. An effect and / or a medicinal effect can be provided. Suitable chemically and / or physiologically active volatile compounds include the group consisting of nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, opioids and opioids, cathin and cathinone, cavalactone, mysticin, beta carboline alkaloids, salvinorin A, supra. Included with any combination of, functional equivalents, and / or synthetic alternatives.

Aerosol-forming substrates can include plant materials. Amaranthus dubius, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), Argemone mexicana, Amica, Artemisia vulgaris, Yellow Tees, Galea zacatechichi, Canavalia maritima (Baybean), Cecropia mexicana (Guamura), Cestrum noctumum, Cynoglossum virginianum (wild comfrey), Cytisus scoparius, Damiana, Entada rheedii, Eschscholzia califomica (California Poppy), Fittonia albivenis, Hippobroma longiflora, Humulus japonica (Japanese Hops), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Lactuca virosa (Lettuce Opium), Laggera alata, Leonotis leonurus, Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort), Leonurus sibiricus (Honeyweed), Lobelia cardinalis, Lobelia inflata (Indian-tobacco), Lobelia siphilitica, Nepeta cataria (Catnip), Nicotiana species (Tobacco), Nymphaea alba (White Lily), Nymphaea caerulea (Blue Lily), Opium poppy, Passiflora incamata (Passionflower), Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior), Pedicularis greenlandica (Elephant's Head), Salvia divi norum, Salvia dorrii (Tobacco Sage), Salvia species (Sage), Scutellaria galericulata, Scutellaria lateriflora, Scutellaria nana, Scutellaria species (Skullcap), Sida acuta (Wireweed), Sida rhombifolia, Silene capensis, Syzygium aromaticum (Clove), Tagetes lucida (Mexican Tarragon), Skullcaps camphoratus, Tumala diffusa (Damiana), Verbascum (Mullein), Zamia latifolia (Maconha Brava) selected from the list including one of the above plant equivalents, one of the above. And / or can be included with synthetic alternatives.

Preferably, the plant material is tobacco. Any type of tobacco may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, iron tube dried tobacco, Burleigh potatoes, Maryland tobacco, dark air dried tobacco, oriental tobacco, dark fire dried tobacco, peric tobacco, and rustica tobacco. It also includes the tobacco blends mentioned above.

Any suitable portion of the tobacco plant may be used. It includes leaves, stems, roots, skins, seeds, and flowers.

Tobacco is of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, puffed tobacco, homogeneous tobacco, chopped tobacco, extruded tobacco, chopped rug tobacco, and / or reconstituted tobacco (eg, slurry recon or cigarette). It can include one or more.

Aerosol-forming substrates can include homogeneous (eg, paper / slurry recon) tobacco collection sheets, or collection pieces / strips formed from such sheets.

In some embodiments, the sheet used to form the aerosol-forming substrate has a basis weight of 100 g / m ² or more, for example 120 g / m ² or more and 110 g / m ² or more.

The sheet can have a basis weight of 300 g / m ² or less, for example 250 g / m ² or less, or 200 g / m ² or less.

The sheet can have a basis weight of 120-190 g / m ² .

The aerosol-forming substrate can include at least 50% by weight of plant material, such as at least 60% by weight of plant material, such as about 65% by weight of plant material. Aerosol-forming substrates can include up to 80% by weight plant material, such as 75 or up to 70% by weight plant material.

Aerosol-forming substrates can include one or more additives selected from wetting agents, flavoring agents, fillers, aqueous / non-aqueous solvents, and binders.

Wetting agents are provided as a source of steam, and the resulting steam helps retain the volatile active compounds and increases the visible steam. Suitable wetting agents are polyhydric alcohols (eg, propylene glycol (PG), triethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, and vegetable glycerin (VG)) and esters thereof (eg, glycerol monoacetate, diacetate, or Triacetate) is included. The wetting agent may be present in an aerosol-forming substrate in an amount of 1-50% by weight.

The wetting agent content of the aerosol-forming substrate is at least 2% by weight, at least 5% by weight, at least 10% by weight, at least 20% by weight, at least 30% by weight, or at least 40% by weight of the plant material. It can have a lower limit of at least 1% by weight.

The wetting agent content of the aerosol-forming substrate can have an upper limit of at most 50% by weight, such as at most 40% by weight, at most 30% by weight, or at most 20% by weight.

Preferably, the wetting agent content is 1-40% by weight of the aerosol-forming substrate, such as 1-20% by weight.

Suitable binders are known in the art and can act to bind together the components that form the aerosol-forming substrate. Binders include starch and / or cellulose binders such as methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and methylcellulose, gums such as xanthan gum, guar gum, arabic gum, and / or locust bean gum, alginate / sodium alginate, agar. , And organic acids such as pectin and salts thereof.

Preferably, the binder content is 5-10% by weight, for example about 6-8% by weight, of the aerosol-forming substrate.

Suitable fillers are known in the art and can act to enhance aerosol-forming substrates. Fillers can include fibrous (non-tobacco) fillers such as cellulosic fibers, lignocellulosic fibers (eg, wood fibers), jute fibers, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the filler content is 5-10% by weight, for example about 6-9% by weight, of the aerosol-forming substrate.

Aerosol-forming substrates can include aqueous and / or non-aqueous solvents. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate has a water content of 5-10% by weight, for example 6-9% by weight, such as 7-9% by weight.

The flavoring agent may be provided in solid or liquid form. Flavoring agents can include menthol, licorice, chocolate, fruit flavors (including, for example, citrus, cherries, etc.), vanilla, spices (eg, ginger, cinnamon, etc.), and tobacco flavors. The flavoring agent may be uniformly dispersed throughout the aerosol-forming substrate or may be provided at distant locations and / or at various concentrations throughout the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be formed in a substantially columnar shape so that the article / consumable resembles a conventional cigarette. Aerosol-forming substrates can have a diameter of 5-10 mm, such as 6-9 mm or 6-8 mm, such as about 7 mm. Aerosol-forming substrates can have an axial length of 10-15 mm, for example 11-14 mm, such as about 12 or 13 mm.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be circumscribed by a wrap layer, such as a paper wrap layer. The wrap layer may overlap the inner foil layer or may include a paper / foil laminate (foil is the innermost).

The HNB consumables of the first aspect can include upstream filter elements and terminal filter elements, and the articles of the second aspect include upstream filter elements and terminal filter elements. The upstream filter element is located upstream of the terminal filter element (but downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate). The end filter element may be located at the downstream / mouth end of the article / consumable.

One or both of the filter elements may be composed of cellulose acetate or polypropylene tow. One or both of the filter elements may be composed of activated carbon. One or both of the filter elements may be composed of paper. One or both filter elements may be circumscribed by their respective plug wraps, such as paper plug wraps.

Each filter element can have a substantially columnar shape, the diameter of which is substantially consistent with the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate (with or without its associated wrap layer). The axial length of one filter element or each filter element may be less than 20 mm, eg 8-15 mm, eg 9-13 mm, eg 10-12 mm.

At least one of the filter elements is a hollow filter element. In some embodiments, both filter elements are hollow filter elements. The hollow filter or each hollow filter can have a diameter of 1-5 mm, for example 2-4 mm, or 2-3 mm. When the upstream filter element is a hollow filter element, the diameter is preferably larger than the diameter of the perforation of the flow limiter, i.e. preferably larger than 1.5 mm.

The upstream filter element may be circumscribed by a (paper) wrap layer, at least partially (eg, entirely).

The end filter element (downstream end of the article / consumable) can be joined to the upstream element by an circumscribed chip layer, such as a chip paper layer, to form the article / consumable. The chip paper can have an axial length that is longer than the axial length of the end filter element, so the chip paper can be attached to the end filter element and the wrap layer surrounding the adjacent upstream element, eg, the adjacent upstream spacer element. Completely circumscribe.

In embodiments where only one of the filter elements is a hollow filter element, the other (solid) filter element is a capsule containing a liquid flavoring agent, eg, one of the flavoring agents listed above, eg, a crushable capsule (crash ball). ) Can be included. Capsules can be crushed by the user to release the flavoring agent while smoking the article / consumable. The capsule may be axially centered on the (solid) filter element.

The spacer element defines a space or cavity or chamber between the aerosol-forming substrate and the downstream end of the article / consumable. The spacer acts to allow both cooling and mixing of the aerosol. The spacer element can include a paper cylinder. The spacer element may be circumscribed by a (paper) wrap layer, at least partially (eg, entirely).

The spacer element can have an outer diameter of 5-10 mm, such as 6-9 mm or 6-8 mm, such as about 7 mm. The spacer element can have an axial length of 10-15 mm, such as 12-14 mm or 13-14 mm, such as about 14 mm.

In some embodiments, the article / consumable may further include an aerosol cooling element adapted to cool the aerosol produced (by heat exchange) from the aerosol-forming substrate before it is inhaled by the user. can.

The aerosol cooling element is located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the aerosol cooling element may be between the aerosol-forming substrate and the upstream filter element, or between the two filter elements. The aerosol cooling element may be circumscribed, at least partially (eg, completely), by a (paper) wrap layer.

The aerosol cooling element may be formed from a plastic material selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The aerosol cooling element may be formed from a crimp / collection sheet of material to form a large surface area structure with multiple longitudinal channels to maximize heat exchange and cooling of the aerosol.

In a third aspect, a smoking substitute system comprising the HNB consumables according to the first aspect or the aerosol-forming article according to the second aspect and a device including a heating element is provided.

The device may be an HNB device, i.e. a device adapted to heat the aerosol-forming substrate without burning.

The device can include a body for accommodating the heating element. The heating element can include an elongated, eg rod, tubular, or blade heating element. The heating element may project into or surround the cavity within the body for receiving the articles / consumables described above.

The device (eg, body) may further include a power source for powering the heating element, eg, a (rechargeable) battery. The device can further include a control unit for controlling the supply of power to the heating element.

In a fourth aspect, a method of using the smoking substitution system according to the second aspect is provided, in which the method is described.
Inserting goods / consumables into the device and
Includes heating articles / consumables using heating elements.

In some embodiments, the method comprises inserting the article / consumable into a cavity within the body and, when inserting the article / consumable, penetrating the heating element into the article / consumable. For example, the heating element can penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate in the article / consumable.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the features or parameters described in connection with any one of the above embodiments may be applied to any of the other embodiments, except when mutually exclusive. .. Further, except as mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may apply to any aspect and / or any other feature or other feature described herein. It may be combined with a parameter.

In more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention so that the invention can be understood and further aspects and features thereof can be recognized. I will discuss it.

It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of HNB consumables. It is a figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of HNB consumables. It is a figure which shows the 3rd Embodiment of HNB consumables. It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment in the device which forms the HNB system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the HNB consumable 1 contains an aerosol-forming substrate 2 at the upstream end of the consumable 1.

Aerosol-forming substrates include reconstituted tobacco, and reconstituted tobacco contains nicotine as a volatile compound.

Aerosol-forming substrate 2 contains 65% by weight tobacco provided in the form of collected strips produced from a sheet of slurry / paper recon tobacco. Tobacco is adhered with a 20% by weight wetting agent such as propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG) and has a moisture content of 7-9% by weight. Aerosol-forming substrates further include cellulose pulp fillers and guar gum binders.

The aerosol-forming substrate 2 is formed in a substantially columnar shape so that the consumables resemble a conventional cigarette. The aerosol-forming substrate 2 has a diameter of about 7 mm and an axial length of about 12 mm.

The aerosol-forming substrate 2 is circumscribed by the paper wrap layer 3.

Consumables 1 include an upstream filter element 4 and a downstream (terminal) filter element 5. The two filter elements 4 and 5 are separated by a paper cylinder spacer 6. Both filter elements 4 and 5 are made of cellulose acetate tow and are wrapped with their respective paper plug layers (not shown).

Both filter elements have a substantially columnar shape. The diameter of the upstream filter 4 corresponds to the diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 2. The diameter of the terminal filter element 5 is slightly larger and corresponds to the combined diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate 2 and the wrap layer 3. The upstream filter element is slightly shorter than the terminal filter element in axial length and has an axial length of 10 mm compared to 12 mm relative to the terminal filter element.

The paper cylinder spacer 6 is longer than each of the two filter portions and has an axial length of about 14 mm.

Each of the filter elements 4 and 5 is a hollow filter element having hollow holes extending in the longitudinal direction. The hole diameter in the upstream filter is slightly larger than the hole diameter in the terminal filter and has a diameter of 3 mm compared to 2 mm for the terminal filter element.

The paper cylinder spacer 6 and the upstream filter portion 4 are circumscribed by the wrap layer 3.

The circumscribed paper chip layer 7 connects the end filter element 5 to the upstream element to form a consumable. The chip layer 7 surrounds the end filter portion and has an axial length of about 20 mm and thus overlaps a portion of the paper tube spacer 6.

A flow limiter element 13 in the form of a foil disc with a single perforation 14 having a diameter of 1 mm is provided downstream of the upstream filter element 4, i.e., interposed between the upstream filter element 4 and the paper cylinder spacer 6.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of consumables 1', in which the terminal filter element 5 is a solid filter element and has a shell wall containing a liquid menthol or cherry or vanilla flavoring agent. It is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, except that it contains a crushable capsule 8 (crash ball). The capsule 8 is spherical and has a diameter of 3.5 mm. The capsule 8 is positioned axially centered on the terminal filter portion 5.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the consumable 1 ", in which the wrap layer 3 is not completely circumscribed to the paper tube spacer 6 and thus downstream of the end of the wrap layer 3. , The same as the first embodiment except that an annular gap 9 exists between the chip layer 7 and the paper cylinder spacer 6.

FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment inserted into an HNB device 10 that includes a rod-shaped heating element (not shown). The heating element projects into the cavity 11 in the body 12 of the device.

The consumables 1 are inserted into the cavity 11 of the body 12 of the device 10, so that the heating rod penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate 2. The heating of the reconstituted tobacco in the aerosol-forming substrate 2 is carried out by supplying power to the heating element (eg, by a rechargeable battery (not shown)). When the tobacco is heated, moisture and nicotine from within the tobacco and wetting agent are released as vapor and entrained in the air stream generated by inhalation by the user at the terminal filter portion 5.

After the steam has passed through the upstream filter 4, the nicotine, moisture, and wetting agent pass through the perforations 14 in the flow limiter element 13 and thus are shared in the same location, thus resulting in good mixing. Then, in the paper cylinder spacer 6, the cross-sectional area of the steam flow path is increased, and efficient mixing of steam components is further generated.

As the vapor cools in the paper cylinder spacer 6, the vapor condenses to form an aerosol containing volatile compounds for user inhalation.

The features disclosed in the above description, or the claims below, or in the accompanying drawings, are in their particular form, or means of performing the disclosed functions, or methods or processes for obtaining the disclosed results. As appropriate, they may be utilized to realize the invention in a wide variety of forms thereof, either separately or in any combination of such features.

Although the present invention has been described with exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those of skill in the art given this disclosure. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the invention described above are considered to be exemplary rather than limiting. Various changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention.

To avoid any doubt, all theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purpose of improving the reader's understanding. We do not want to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

All item names used herein are for structural purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout the specification, including the scope of the claims that follow, the words "have," "comprise," and "include," as well as "having," "comprises," unless otherwise required by the context. , "Comprising", and "incuring" are to be understood to imply including the described perfect field or step, or a group of perfect field or step, but any other. It does not exclude a perfect field or a step, or a group of a perfect field or a step.

It should be noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include multiple references unless expressly indicated in the context. sea bream. As used herein, the range may be expressed as "about" one particular value and / or "about" another particular value. When such a range is represented, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to another particular value. Similarly, by using the prefix "about", it will be appreciated that when a value is expressed as an approximation, a particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" associated with the numerical value is optional and means, for example, ± 10%.

The words "preferred" and "preferrably" are used herein to refer to embodiments of the invention that can provide a particular benefit under some circumstances. However, it should be understood that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. Accordingly, reference to one or more preferred embodiments does not imply or imply that the other embodiments are not useful and exclude other embodiments from the scope of the present disclosure or claims. It is not intended.

Claims (15)

A non-combustion heating (HNB) consumable that includes an aerosol-forming substrate and a flow limiter element located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. In an axial flow arrangement, it comprises an aerosol-forming substrate, an upstream filter element, a spacer element, and a terminal filter element, wherein at least one of the filter elements is a hollow filter element and the flow limiter element is the terminal filter element. The HNB consumable according to claim 1, which is provided upstream and downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-forming article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, an upstream filter element, a spacer element, and a terminal filter element in an axial flow arrangement, wherein at least one of the filter elements is a hollow filter element and the article is the terminal. An aerosol-forming article further comprising a flow limiter element upstream of the filter element and downstream of said aerosol-forming substrate. The consumable / article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow limiter element comprises a disc or rod having at least one axial perforation or channel. The consumable / article of claim 4, wherein the flow limiter element has a single perforation or channel having a diameter of 0.5 to 1.5 mm in its axial center. The consumable / article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flow limiter element is formed of a material that does not allow vapor to pass through. The consumable / article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flow limiter element is formed from extruded tobacco. The consumable / article according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the flow limiter element is provided upstream of the spacer element. The consumable / article according to claim 8, wherein the limiter element is interposed between the upstream filter element and the spacer element. The consumable / article according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the upstream filter element is a hollow filter having a diameter larger than 1.5 mm. The consumable / article according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein both the upstream and terminal filter elements are hollow filter elements. A system comprising the HNB consumables or smoking substitute according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a device comprising a heating element. 12. The system of claim 12, wherein the device comprises a body for accommodating the heating element, wherein the heating element comprises an elongated heating element. A method of using the system according to claim 12 or 13.
Inserting the consumables / articles into the device,
A method comprising heating the consumables / articles using the heating element. 14. Claim 14 comprising inserting the consumable / article into a cavity within the body of the device and, when inserting the consumable / article, allowing the heating element to penetrate the consumable / article. The method described.

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