RU2814563C2 - Aerosol generating product containing cooling element at mouth end - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking equipment.

SUBSTANCE: aerosol-generating product (10; 50) is proposed for creating an aerosol when heated, containing a rod (12) of an aerosol-generating substrate; a hollow tubular support member (14) located immediately downstream of the aerosol generating substrate rod; and an element (16) for cooling the aerosol, located downstream of the hollow tubular support element. The aerosol cooling element (16) extends the entire length to the downstream end of the aerosol generating article and comprises a hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall (26) at a location between the upstream end and the downstream end of the hollow tubular segment. Thus, the hollow tubular segment defines a first cavity (28) located upstream of the transverse wall (26) and a second cavity (30) located downstream of the transverse wall (26). The transverse wall contains one or more holes (32; 34; 36) providing fluid communication between the first cavity (28) and the second cavity (30).

EFFECT: enhancement of equipment.

1 cl, 9 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate configured to generate a respirable aerosol when heated.

Aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, is heated rather than burned are known in the art. Typically, in such heated smoking articles, an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-generating substrate or material, which may be located in contact with, within, around, or downstream of the heat source. During use of the aerosol-generating article, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate as a result of heat transfer from the heat source and are entrained into the air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol.

A number of prior art documents disclose aerosol generating devices for consuming aerosol generating articles. Such devices include, for example, electrically heated aerosol generating devices in which an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from one or more electrical heating elements of the aerosol generating device to the aerosol generating substrate of the heated aerosol generating article.

In the past, substrates for heated aerosol-generating products have typically been produced using randomly oriented pieces, threads, or strips of tobacco material. More recently, alternative substrates have been disclosed for aerosol-generating articles that are to be heated rather than burned, such as rods made from collected sheets of tobacco material. For example, the rods disclosed in international patent application WO-A-2012/164009 have a longitudinal porosity that allows air to be drawn through the rods. As a further alternative, international patent application WO-A-2011/101164 discloses rods for heated aerosol-generating articles made from filaments of homogenized tobacco material, which can be made by casting, rolling, calendering or extruding a mixture containing bulk tobacco and at least one aerosol-forming agent to produce a sheet of homogenized tobacco material. In yet another embodiment, the rods of WO-A-2011/101164 can be made from strands of homogenized tobacco material obtained by extruding a mixture containing bulk tobacco and at least one aerosol forming agent to form successive lengths of homogenized tobacco material.

Substrates for heated aerosol-generating articles typically further contain an aerosol-generating agent, that is, a compound or mixture of compounds that, when used, promotes aerosol formation and which is preferably substantially resistant to thermal decomposition at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article. Examples of suitable aerosol-forming agents include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerin; polyhydric alcohol esters such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

It is also common to include in an aerosol generating article intended to create a respirable aerosol when heated, one or more additional elements that are combined with the substrate in a common wrapper. Examples of such additional elements include a mouthpiece filter segment and a support element configured to provide structural strength to the aerosol generating article.

It has been proposed to include in an aerosol-generating article designed to create a respirable aerosol when heated, a cooling element configured to cool the aerosol before it reaches the mouthpiece. For example, WO 2013/120565 discloses an aerosol-generating article, an aerosol-forming substrate, and an aerosol-cooling element located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate within a rod. In an embodiment, the aerosol cooling element comprises a corrugated polylactic acid (PLA) sheet that is assembled to form a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. As the aerosol stream is drawn through the aerosol cooling element, heat from the aerosol can be transferred to the PLA sheet.

When using an aerosol-generating product of the type described above in particularly hot and humid weather conditions, such as those often found in countries with tropical climates, the temperature reached by the mouthpiece of the product may be high, up to a range of 42 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius. Celsius. These temperatures may be associated with a feeling of discomfort or mild pain for some users as sensitive tissues such as the lips, mouth, tongue and mucous membranes in general may come into direct contact with the surface of the mouthpiece during use. Without resorting to theory, it is clear that this is due to the fact that thermal thermoreceptors, which respond to increased skin temperature, are most sensitive at approximately 45 degrees Celsius. In contrast, if the skin temperature is between approximately 30 degrees Celsius and approximately 36 degrees Celsius, then thermal thermoreceptors are spontaneously active, but overall there is no heat perception (neutral thermal range). In addition, the skin also contains heat-sensitive receptors known as thermal nociceptors, which create painful sensations if the skin temperature rises above 45 degrees Celsius. This is because temperature-sensing nociceptors are designed to transmit a signal to the central nervous system that tissue damage may be imminent and that the affected body part should be immediately removed from the heat source.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a new and improved aerosol generating product capable of optimizing the cooling of the aerosol delivered to the consumer. It would also be desirable to provide a new and improved aerosol generating product capable of optimizing the cooling of mouth end surfaces of the product that may come into contact with sensitive tissue of the consumer during use. At the same time, it would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating product that can be manufactured efficiently and at high speed without the need for significant modifications to existing equipment and devices.

Thus, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating article for generating an aerosol when heated. The aerosol generating article may comprise a rod of aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating article may comprise a hollow tubular support member which may be positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol generating substrate rod. The aerosol generating article may include an aerosol cooling element located downstream of the hollow tubular support element. The aerosol cooling element may extend the entire length to the downstream end of the aerosol generating article, and may include a hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall at a location between the upstream end and the downstream end of the hollow tubular segment. Thus, the hollow tubular segment may define a first cavity located upstream of the transverse wall and a second cavity located downstream of the transverse wall. The transverse wall may include one or more openings providing fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating article for generating an aerosol by heating, comprising: a rod of an aerosol generating substrate; a hollow tubular support member located immediately downstream of the aerosol generating substrate rod; and an aerosol cooling element located downstream of the hollow tubular support element. The aerosol cooling element extends the entire length to the downstream end of the aerosol generating article. In addition, the aerosol cooling element includes a hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall at a location between an upstream end and a downstream end of the hollow tubular segment, such that said hollow tubular segment defines a first cavity located upstream relative to cross wall, and a second cavity located downstream of the cross wall. In addition, the transverse wall includes one or more openings providing fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article described above and an electrical aerosol generating device comprising a heating element and an elongated heating chamber configured to accommodate the aerosol generating article such that a rod of an aerosol generating substrate heated in a heating chamber.

It should be understood that any features described with reference to one aspect of the present invention are equally applicable to any other aspect of the present invention.

The term "aerosol generating article" is used herein with reference to the present invention to describe an article in which an aerosol generating substrate is heated to create an aerosol and deliver it to a consumer. As used herein, the term “aerosol generating substrate” means a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds when heated to generate an aerosol.

A regular cigarette is lit when the user brings a flame to one end of the cigarette and draws air through the other end. The localized heat provided by the flame and the oxygen in the air drawn through the cigarette causes the end of the cigarette to ignite, and the resulting combustion creates inhaled smoke. By comparison, in heated aerosol-generating products, aerosol is generated by heating a flavor-generating substrate such as tobacco. Known heated aerosol-generating articles include, for example, electrically heated aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from a combustible fuel element or heat source to a physically separate aerosol-generating material. For example, the aerosol generating articles of the present invention find particular use in aerosol generating systems comprising an electrically heated aerosol generating device having an internal heating blade that is configured to be inserted into a rod of aerosol generating substrate. Aerosol-generating products of this type are described in the prior art, for example in EP 0822670.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generating device” refers to a device comprising a heating element that interacts with an aerosol generating substrate of an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol.

During use, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate due to heat transfer and are entrained into the air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol, which is inhaled by the consumer.

As used herein, the term “tubular member” refers to an elongated member defining a lumen or channel for air flow along its longitudinal axis. As used herein, the term “tubular” is intended to cover any tubular support member having a substantially cylindrical cross-section that defines at least one air flow path providing fluid communication between the upstream end of the tubular support member and the downstream end of the tubular support element. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term “hollow” is used to describe a tubular support member that defines an internal empty space, such as a chamber or cavity.

As used herein, the term “longitudinal” refers to the direction corresponding to the major longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article that extends between the upstream and downstream ends of the aerosol generating article. As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" describe the relative positions of elements or parts of elements of an aerosol-generating article with respect to the direction in which the aerosol is transported during use through the aerosol-generating article. During use, air is drawn longitudinally through the aerosol-generating article. The term "transverse" refers to a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Any reference to a “cross-section” of an aerosol-generating article or component of an aerosol-generating article refers to a cross-section unless otherwise noted.

The term "length" refers to the maximum dimension of a component of an aerosol generating article in the longitudinal direction. For example, it can be used to indicate the size of a rod or tubular support member in the longitudinal direction. In particular, in the context of the present invention, the term "tubular support length" is used to denote the maximum distance between the upstream and downstream ends of the tubular element. In addition, the term "inner cavity length of the tubular support member" is used to denote the maximum distance between the transverse wall and the corresponding one of the upstream and downstream ends of the tubular support member.

For example, the length of the upstream cavity of a tubular support member may be estimated as the maximum distance between a transverse plane defined by the upstream end surface of the peripheral wall of the tubular support member and a transverse plane defined by the location of the transverse wall along the length of the tubular support member (i.e., e. the middle plane of the transverse wall).

The term "tubular support member peripheral wall thickness" is used herein to mean the minimum distance measured between the outer surface and the inner wall surface of the tubular member. In practice, the distance at a given location is measured along a direction locally substantially perpendicular to the opposite sides of the wall of the tubular support element. For a substantially cylindrical tubular support member, that is, a tubular support member having a substantially circular cross-section, the peripheral wall thickness is defined as the distance between the outer surface and the inner surface of the peripheral wall measured along the substantially radial direction of the tubular support element.

The expression "airtight material" is used throughout this specification to mean a material that does not allow fluids, particularly air and smoke, to pass through voids or pores in the material. If the tubular support member is made of a material impervious to air and aerosol particles, then the air and aerosol particles drawn through the support member are forced to flow through the air flow channel, but they are not allowed to flow through the wall of the support member.

In contrast, the term "porous" is used herein to refer to a material that has a plurality of pores or openings that allow air to pass through the material.

The term "equivalent hole diameter" is used herein to refer to the diameter of a circular hole having the same cross-sectional area as the hole.

As used herein, the term “homogenized tobacco material” includes any tobacco material resulting from the agglomeration of particles of tobacco material. Sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material are formed by agglomerating bulk tobacco obtained by grinding or otherwise crushing one or both of tobacco leaf blades or tobacco leaf stalks. In addition, the homogenized tobacco material may contain trace amounts of one or more of tobacco dust, tobacco fines and other bulk tobacco by-products generated during tobacco processing, handling and shipping. Sheets of homogenized tobacco material can be produced by casting, extrusion, papermaking processes, or any other suitable methods known in the art.

As briefly described above, the aerosol generating article of the present invention includes an aerosol generating substrate rod and a hollow tubular support member located immediately downstream of the aerosol generating substrate rod. In addition, the aerosol generating article of the present invention includes an aerosol cooling element located downstream of the hollow tubular support element.

Unlike existing aerosol generating articles, in the articles of the present invention the aerosol cooling element extends the entire length to the downstream end of the aerosol generating article. In other words, the aerosol cooling member forms a mouthpiece end portion of the product and can be puffed by the user during use. In addition, the aerosol cooling element includes a hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall at an intermediate location along its length. Thus, the internal volume of the hollow tubular segment is divided into a first cavity located upstream and a second cavity, said cavities being respectively upstream and downstream of the transverse wall. One or more holes are made through the transverse wall. Said one or more openings provide fluid communication between said cavities.

In the aerosol generating articles of the present invention, the aerosol cooling element is configured to reduce the temperature of the aerosol flowing through the article while homogenizing the aerosol stream and precisely controlling how the aerosol stream is delivered to the mouth of the consumer.

More specifically, the design and features of the aerosol cooling element have been found to be such that they provide a sustained reduction in the temperature of the gaseous stream in the product to a level below threshold values that may be associated with discomfort or pain in the consumer. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is understood that in the aerosol generating articles of the present invention, heat from an aerosol flowing through the article is readily dissipated as the material of the aerosol cooling element is heated by conduction and convection. At the same time, since the aerosol flow is concentrated through said one or more openings in the transverse wall before being more widely distributed within the cross-section of the downstream cavity, there is the advantage of preventing overheating of the outer surfaces of the article, which may come into contact with the consumer's lips during use, even when using the product in particularly hot and humid weather conditions. In addition, since the cross wall partially restricts the flow and directs air and airborne volatile aerosol particles through the opening or openings in the cross wall, turbulence increases and thus heat transfer from the gaseous flow to the cross wall is expected to dominate over heat transfer from gaseous flow onto the peripheral wall.

In addition, the aerosol generating articles of the present invention can be manufactured in a continuous process and can be conveniently produced at high speed on existing heated aerosol generating article production lines without the need for significant modifications to the manufacturing equipment.

The aerosol generating articles of the present invention comprise an aerosol generating substrate which may be provided in the form of a rod surrounded by a wrapper.

The aerosol generating substrate rod preferably has an outer diameter that is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol generating article.

Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate rod has an outer diameter of at least 5 millimeters. The aerosol generating substrate rod may have an outer diameter of from about 5 millimeters to about 12 millimeters, such as from about 5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, or from about 5 millimeters to about 8 millimeters, or from about 6 millimeters to about 12 millimeters, or from about 6 millimeters to 10 millimeters, or from about 6 millimeters to about 8 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate rod has an outer diameter of approximately 7.2 millimeters.

The aerosol generating substrate rod may have a length of from about 5 millimeters to about 100 mm. Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate rod has a length of at least about 5 millimeters, more preferably at least about 7 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol generating substrate rod preferably has a length of less than about 100 millimeters, more preferably less than about 80 millimeters, even more preferably less than about 65 millimeters, most preferably less than or equal to about 50 millimeters. In particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate rod has a length of less than about 35 millimeters, more preferably less than about 25 millimeters, even more preferably less than or equal to about 20 millimeters. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate rod may be approximately 10 millimeters in length. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate rod is approximately 12 millimeters in length.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate rod has a length of from about 5 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, or from about 5 millimeters to about 65 millimeters, or from about 5 millimeters to about 50 millimeters. In other embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate rod has a length of from about 7 millimeters to about 100 millimeters, or from about 7 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, or from about 7 millimeters to about 65 millimeters, or from about 7 millimeters to about 50 millimeters. In further embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate rod has a length of from about 10 millimeters to about 100 millimeters, or from about 10 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, or from about 10 millimeters to about 65 millimeters, or from about 10 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.

Preferably, the rod of aerosol generating substrate has a substantially constant cross-section along the length of the rod. Particularly preferably, the aerosol generating substrate rod has a substantially circular cross-section.

In preferred embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate comprises one or more assembled sheets of homogenized tobacco material. Preferably, said one or more sheets of homogenized tobacco material are textured. As used herein, the term “textured sheet” means a sheet that has been corrugated, embossed, blind embossed, perforated, or otherwise deformed. Textured sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in the present invention may contain a plurality of spaced indentations, projections, perforations, or a combination thereof. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating substrate rod comprises an assembled corrugated sheet of homogenized tobacco material surrounded by a wrapper.

As used herein, the term "corrugated sheet" is intended to be used synonymously with the term "creped sheet" and means a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel folds or corrugations. Preferably, the corrugated sheet of homogenized tobacco material contains a plurality of folds or corrugations substantially parallel to the cylindrical axis of the rod according to the present invention. This provides the advantage of facilitating the assembly of the corrugated sheet of homogenized tobacco material to form a rod. However, it should be understood that the corrugated sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in the present invention may, alternatively or additionally, comprise a plurality of substantially parallel folds or corrugations located at an acute or obtuse angle to the axis of the cylindrical rod. In some embodiments, sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in the core of an article of the present invention may be substantially uniformly textured over substantially their entire surface. For example, corrugated sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in making a rod used in an aerosol generating article of the present invention may comprise a plurality of substantially parallel folds or corrugations that are spaced at substantially equal intervals across the width of the sheet.

Sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material for use in the present invention may have a tobacco content of at least about 40 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, more preferably at least about 60 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, more preferably or less at least about 70 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, and most preferably at least about 90 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

Sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol generating substrate may contain one or more internal binders, i.e., tobacco endogenous binders, tobacco, one or more external binders, i.e., tobacco exogenous binders, or a combination thereof, to promote agglomeration of bulk tobacco. Alternatively or additionally, sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in the aerosol generating substrate may contain other additives, including, without limitation, tobacco and non-tobacco fibers, aerosol formers, humectants, plasticizers, flavoring agents, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents and the same. combinations.

Suitable external binders for inclusion in sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol generating substrate are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: gums, such as guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic and locust bean gum; cellulose binders, such as hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose and ethylcellulose; polysaccharides, such as starches, organic acids, such as alginic acid, salts of bases conjugate with organic acids, such as sodium alginate, agar and pectins; and their combinations.

Suitable non-tobacco fibers for inclusion in sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol generating substrate are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: cellulose fibers; softwood fibers; hardwood fibers; jute fibers; and their combinations. Prior to incorporation into sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol generating substrate, the non-tobacco fibers may be processed by suitable methods known in the art, including, but not limited to: mechanical pulping; cleaning; chemical pulp production; bleaching; sulfate pulp production; and their combinations.

Preferably, the sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material contain an aerosol-forming agent. As used herein, the term "aerosol generating agent" describes any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds which, when used, facilitates the formation of an aerosol and which is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol generating article.

Suitable aerosol-forming agents are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerol; polyhydric alcohol esters such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and, most preferably, glycerol.

Sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material may contain a single aerosol-forming agent. Alternatively, sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material may contain a combination of two or more substances to form an aerosol.

Sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material have an aerosol forming agent content of greater than 10 percent on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material have an aerosol forming agent content of greater than 12 percent on a dry weight basis. More preferably, the sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material have an aerosol forming agent content of greater than 14 percent on a dry weight basis. Even more preferably, the sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material have an aerosol forming agent content of greater than 16 percent on a dry weight basis.

Sheets of homogenized tobacco material may have an aerosol forming agent content of from about 10 percent to about 30 percent on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material have an aerosol forming agent content of less than 25 percent on a dry weight basis.

In a preferred embodiment, the sheets of homogenized tobacco material have an aerosol forming agent content of approximately 20 percent on a dry weight basis.

Sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco for use in the aerosol generating product of the present invention can be manufactured by methods known in the art, for example by methods disclosed in international patent application WO-A-2012/164009 A2. In a preferred embodiment, sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol generating product are made from a slurry containing bulk tobacco, guar gum, cellulose fibers and glycerin through a casting process.

Alternative arrangements of homogenized tobacco material in a rod for use in an aerosol generating article will be known to those skilled in the art and may include a plurality of stacked sheets of homogenized tobacco material, a plurality of elongated tubular members formed by winding strips of homogenized tobacco material about their longitudinal axes, etc. .

As a further alternative, the aerosol-generating substrate rod may comprise a non-tobacco-based nicotine-bearing material, such as a sheet of non-tobacco sorbent material loaded thereon with nicotine (eg, in the form of a nicotine salt) and an aerosol generating agent. Examples of such rods are described in international application WO-A-2015/052652. Additionally or alternatively, the rod of aerosol generating substrate may contain non-tobacco plant material, such as an aromatic non-tobacco plant material.

In the aerosol generating substrate rod of the articles according to the present invention, the aerosol generating substrate is preferably surrounded by a wrapper. The wrapper can be made of porous or non-porous sheet material. The wrapper may be made from any suitable material or combination of materials. Preferably, the wrapper is a paper wrapper.

In the aerosol generating articles of the present invention, a tubular support member is provided at a location downstream of the aerosol generating substrate rod. The tubular support member comprises a cylindrical peripheral wall and defines an air flow path extending in the longitudinal direction from an upstream end of the tubular support member to a downstream end of the tubular support member. Thus, the tubular support member provides fluid communication between the aerosol generating substrate rod and one or more downstream components of the article.

More specifically, the tubular support element is longitudinally aligned with the rod and located immediately downstream of the rod. In the context of the present invention, the expression "located immediately downstream of the rod" means that the tubular support element and the rod are in contact with each other or are located very close to each other, so that when placing the article for use in an aerosol generating device made with By being able to heat the aerosol generating substrate (eg, comprising a heating element that is inserted into said rod), the tubular support member effectively provides support for the rod, with little or no deformation of the aerosol generating article and/or with little or no displacement of the rod. Thus, in practice, when used with reference to the present invention, the expression "located immediately downstream of the rod" is used to indicate that the minimum longitudinal distance between the surface of the downstream end of the rod and the surface of the upstream end of the peripheral wall of the tubular the support element is less than 1 millimeter, preferably less than 0.5 millimeters, even more preferably less than 0.25 millimeters. In particularly preferred embodiments, the upstream end surface of the peripheral wall of the tubular support member directly contacts the downstream end surface of the aerosol generating substrate rod.

Thus, the tubular support member is capable of effectively holding the rod of the aerosol generating substrate at a certain distance from the downstream end of the aerosol generating article. In addition, the tubular support member provides structural strength to the aerosol generating article so that it can be easily manipulated by the user and conveniently inserted into the aerosol generating device for use.

The tubular support element may be made of a porous material or an airtight material. Suitable examples of porous materials include, but are not limited to, cellulose acetate, as well as a number of other porous polymeric materials that will be known to those skilled in the art. Suitable examples of airtight materials include, but are not limited to, non-porous polymeric materials, particularly preferably bioplastics.

In a preferred embodiment, the tubular support element is a hollow tube of cellulose acetate.

During use, a temperature gradient is created along said air flow path in the tubular support member. In practice, a temperature difference is created such that the temperature of the vaporized aerosol components entering the tubular support member at the downstream end of the aerosol generating substrate rod is generally greater than the temperature of the vaporized aerosol components exiting the tubular support member at the downstream end. flow end of the tubular support element. However, this is usually not enough to effectively cool the evaporated aerosol components.

The thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall of the hollow tubular support element is preferably less than 2 millimeters or equal to 2 millimeters. More preferably, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall is less than or equal to 1.5 millimeters. Even more preferably, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall is less than 1 millimeter or equal to 1 millimeter.

The thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall of the hollow tubular support element is at least 0.2 millimeters. More preferably, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall is at least 0.4 millimeters. Even more preferably, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall is at least 0.6 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall of the hollow tubular support member is from about 0.2 millimeters to about 2 millimeters, or from about 0.2 millimeters to about 1.5 millimeters, or from about 0.2 millimeters to about 1 millimeter. In other embodiments, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall of the hollow tubular support element is from about 0.4 millimeters to about 2 millimeters, or from about 0.4 millimeters to about 1.5 millimeters, or from about 0.4 millimeters to about 1 millimeter. In further embodiments, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall of the hollow tubular support member is from about 0.6 millimeters to about 2 millimeters, or from about 0.6 millimeters to about 1.5 millimeters, or from about 0.6 millimeters to about 1 millimeter.

In some preferred embodiments, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall of the hollow tubular support element is from about 0.2 millimeters to about 2 millimeters, more preferably from about 0.4 millimeters to about 1.5 millimeters, even more preferably from about 0.6 millimeters to approximately 1 millimeter.

Thus, at the upstream end, the cylindrical peripheral wall has an end surface configured to abut the peripheral portion of the aerosol generating substrate rod. In some embodiments, the upstream end surface of the peripheral wall may have a substantially flat profile. Thus, it is able to contact substantially its entire length with the downstream end surface of the rod. In alternative embodiments, the surface of the upstream end of the peripheral wall has a non-planar profile, such as a beveled profile or a curved profile, such that the peripheral wall contacts the rod only at its outermost peripheral edge, with some spacing between the downstream end surface the rod and the end surface of the peripheral wall at the inner periphery of the peripheral wall.

Preferably, the length of the hollow tubular support element is at least about 10 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the hollow tubular support element is at least about 15 millimeters. Even more preferably, the length of the hollow tubular support element is at least about 20 millimeters.

The length of the hollow tubular support element is preferably less than about 60 millimeters or equal to about 60 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the hollow tubular support element is less than about 50 millimeters or equal to 50 millimeters. Even more preferably, the length of the hollow tubular support element is less than about 40 millimeters or equal to about 40 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular support member is from about 10 millimeters to about 60 millimeters, or from about 10 millimeters to about 50 millimeters, or from about 10 millimeters to about 40 millimeters. In other embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular support member is from about 15 millimeters to about 60 millimeters, or from about 15 millimeters to about 50 millimeters, or from about 15 millimeters to about 40 millimeters. In further embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular support member is from about 20 millimeters to about 60 millimeters, or from about 20 millimeters to about 50 millimeters, or from about 20 millimeters to about 40 millimeters.

In some preferred embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular support member is from about 10 millimeters to about 60 millimeters, more preferably from about 15 millimeters to about 50 millimeters, even more preferably from about 20 millimeters to about 40 millimeters.

As briefly described above, the aerosol generating article of the present invention includes an aerosol cooling element longitudinally aligned with the rod and the hollow tubular support member and located downstream of the hollow tubular support member.

In some embodiments, the aerosol cooling element is located immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the expression “located immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support member” means that the hollow tubular support member and the aerosol cooling member are in contact with each other or very close to each other. In practice, the expression "located immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element" is used to indicate that the minimum longitudinal distance between the downstream end surface of the hollow tubular support element and the upstream end surface of the peripheral wall of the aerosol cooling element is less than 1 millimeter, preferably less than 0.5 millimeters, even more preferably less than 0.25 millimeters. In particularly preferred embodiments, the upstream end surface of the aerosol cooling element is in direct contact with the downstream end surface of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular support element.

In other embodiments, the aerosol generating article may include one or more additional components between the hollow tubular support member and the aerosol cooling member.

For example, the aerosol generating article may include a filter material plug capable of filtering particulate components, gaseous components, or a combination thereof. Suitable filter materials are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: fiber filter materials, such as cellulose acetate rod; viscose fibers, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) fibers, polylactic acid (PLA) fibers and paper; adsorbents such as activated alumina, zeolites, molecular sieves and silica gel; and their combinations. In addition, the filter material plug may further contain one or more aerosol modification agents. Suitable aerosol modification agents are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, flavoring agents such as menthol. The length of the filter material plug can range from about 4 millimeters to about 25 millimeters. Preferably, the length of the filter material plug is at least about 6 millimeters, more preferably at least about 8 millimeters. The length of the filter material plug is preferably less than or equal to about 25 millimeters, more preferably less than or equal to about 20 millimeters, even more preferably less than or equal to about 15 millimeters. In particularly preferred embodiments, the length of the filter material plug is less than about 10 millimeters or equal to about 10 millimeters. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the filter material plug is approximately 5 millimeters. In another exemplary embodiment, the length of the mouthpiece is approximately 7 millimeters.

The aerosol cooling element comprises a hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall at a location between an upstream end and a downstream end of the hollow tubular segment. Essentially, a cylindrical lumen formed internally by a hollow tubular segment is divided by a transverse wall into two regions, namely a first cavity located upstream of the transverse wall and a second cavity located downstream of the transverse wall. The transverse wall includes one or more openings extending through the transverse wall such that the one or more openings provide fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it will be understood that said upstream cavity of the aerosol cooling element is capable of allowing air and aerosol vapors drawn through the article to be concentrated around one or more openings in the cross wall before being further drawn downstream through said one or more holes. The number, shape and size of openings provided in the cross wall can be selected to control the pull resistance (RTD) of the aerosol cooling member as well as the RTD of the aerosol generating article. In addition, the number, shape and size of the holes can be selected to ensure homogenization of air and aerosol evaporated substances, as well as to increase the turbulence of their flow.

The aerosol cooling element may be made of a material having a relatively high heat capacity so that the aerosol cooling element is capable of absorbing thermal energy carried by the aerosol flowing through the article without significantly increasing the temperature of the aerosol cooling element. For example, the aerosol cooling element may be made from a cellulose-based material, including thermoplastic paper material. In yet another example, the aerosol cooling element may be made from polylactic acid (PLA) or polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA).

In some embodiments, the cross wall has one opening, more preferably one substantially central opening. The central hole preferably has an equivalent diameter of at least about 0.2 millimeters. More preferably, the central hole has an equivalent diameter of at least about 0.3 millimeters.

The central hole preferably has an equivalent diameter of less than or equal to approximately 0.8 millimeters. More preferably, the central hole has an equivalent diameter of less than or equal to approximately 0.6 millimeters.

In some preferred embodiments, the central hole has an equivalent diameter of from about 0.2 millimeters to about 0.8 millimeters, more preferably from 0.2 millimeters to about 0.6 millimeters. In other embodiments, the central hole preferably has an equivalent diameter of from about 0.3 millimeters to about 0.8 millimeters, more preferably from about 0.3 millimeters to about 0.6 millimeters.

In other embodiments, the cross wall has a plurality of openings. Preferably, the transverse wall has a plurality of openings spaced at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction. For example, four, six, eight, ten or twelve openings may be provided in the transverse wall at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

In these embodiments, each hole preferably has an equivalent diameter of at least about 0.1 millimeter. More preferably, each hole has an equivalent diameter of at least about 0.2 millimeters. In these embodiments, each hole preferably has an equivalent diameter of less than or equal to approximately 0.7 millimeters. More preferably, each hole has an equivalent diameter of less than or equal to approximately 0.5 millimeters. In preferred embodiments, each hole has an equivalent diameter of from about 0.1 millimeter to about 0.7 millimeter, or from about 0.1 millimeter to about 0.5 millimeter, or from about 0.2 millimeter to about 0.7 millimeter, or from about 0.2 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters.

In some embodiments, all of the plurality of holes may be located at the same radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the aerosol cooling element. In other embodiments, the plurality of holes may comprise subsets of holes, with the holes in each subset located at a different radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the aerosol cooling element.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the transverse wall may comprise a first subset of openings (eg, a subset of four openings) spaced at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction at a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the aerosol cooling element, and a second subset of openings (eg , a subset of six holes) located at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction at a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the aerosol cooling element, the second radial distance being greater than the first radial distance. This enables a particularly homogeneous distribution of the flow of air and evaporated aerosol substances throughout the aerosol cooling element.

In yet another embodiment, the cross wall has a plurality of substantially radial slots extending from the center of the cross wall to a length less than the radius of the cross wall. As used herein, the expression "substantially radial" is used to describe a slot extending from the center of the cross wall substantially along the radius of the aerosol generating article. The length of the radial slot is less than the radius of the hollow tubular segment. In other words, the radial slot extends from the center of the transverse wall to an intermediate position located between the center of the transverse wall and the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment.

The cross-sectional shape of the slots may be substantially rectangular or triangular. For example, the transverse wall may comprise three, four, five, six, eight, ten or twelve substantially radial slots. Thus, when viewed from the end of the aerosol cooling element, the plurality of substantially radial slots may appear as a star-shaped hole in the transverse wall.

The thickness of the transverse wall, measured along the longitudinal axis of the product, can be practically constant. Alternatively, the thickness of the cross wall varies in the radial direction and is maximum at the periphery of the cross wall. In some embodiments, the cross wall is shaped such that it defines substantially tapered or tapered or truncated conical portions of an upstream cavity and a downstream cavity adjacent to the cross wall. Thus, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment decreases to some extent in the direction of the transverse wall. This has the advantage of helping to concentrate the gaseous flow in the core of the aerosol cooling element so that air and vaporized aerosol substances are gradually directed towards said one or more openings in the transverse wall.

The length of the aerosol cooling element can range from about 5 millimeters to about 35 millimeters. In some embodiments, the length of the aerosol cooling element is from about 5 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, or from about 5 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, or from about 5 millimeters to about 19 millimeters.

Preferably, the length of the aerosol cooling element is at least about 8 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the aerosol cooling element is at least about 9 millimeters. The length of the aerosol cooling element is preferably less than about 30 millimeters or equal to about 30 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the aerosol cooling element is less than about 25 millimeters or equal to about 25 millimeters. Even more preferably, the length of the aerosol cooling element is less than about 20 millimeters or equal to about 20 millimeters. In particularly preferred embodiments, the length of the aerosol cooling element is less than or equal to 19 millimeters.

In preferred embodiments, the length of the aerosol cooling element is from about 8 millimeters to about 30 millimeters, or from about 8 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, or from about 8 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, or from about 8 millimeters to about 19 millimeters, or more preferably from about 9 millimeters to about 30 millimeters, or from about 9 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, or from about 9 millimeters to about 9 millimeters, or from about 9 millimeters to about 9 millimeters.

Preferably, the length of the first cavity is less than the length of the second cavity.

In preferred embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is at least about 0.15. More preferably, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is at least about 0.20. Even more preferably, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is at least about 0.25. In particularly preferred embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is at least about 0.33.

Preferably, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is less than or equal to about 0.95. More preferably, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is less than or equal to about 0.9. Even more preferably, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is less than or equal to about 0.8.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is from about 0.15 to about 0.95, or from about 0.15 to about 0.9, or from about 0.15 to about 0.8. In other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is from about 0.20 to about 0.95, or from about 0.20 to about 0.9, or from about 0.20 to about 0.8. In further embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is from about 0.25 to about 0.95, or from about 0.25 to about 0.9, or from about 0.25 to about 0.8. In some other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is from about 0.33 to about 0.95, or from about 0.33 to about 0.9, or from about 0.33 to about 0.8.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is from about 0.15 to about 0.95, more preferably from about 0.2 to about 0.9, even more preferably from about 0.25 to about 0 ,8.

In a preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is approximately 0.72. In yet another embodiment, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is approximately 0.8.

Preferably, the length of the first cavity is at least about 3 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the first cavity is at least about 4 millimeters. Even more preferably, the length of the first cavity is at least about 5 millimeters. The length of the first cavity is preferably less than or equal to about 13 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the second cavity is less than about 8 millimeters or equal to about 8 millimeters. Even more preferably, the length of the first cavity is less than 7 millimeters or equal to 7 millimeters.

In some example embodiments, the length of the first cavity is from about 3 millimeters to about 13 millimeters, or from about 3 millimeters to about 8 millimeters, or from about 3 millimeters to about 7 millimeters. In other embodiments, the length of the first cavity is from about 4 millimeters to about 13 millimeters, or from about 4 millimeters to about 8 millimeters, or from about 4 millimeters to about 7 millimeters. In further embodiments, the length of the first cavity is from about 5 millimeters to about 13 millimeters, or from about 5 millimeters to about 8 millimeters, or from about 5 millimeters to about 7 millimeters.

In some preferred embodiments, the length of the first cavity is from about 3 millimeters to about 13 millimeters, more preferably from about 4 millimeters to about 8 millimeters, even more preferably from about 5 millimeters to about 7 millimeters.

Preferably, the length of the second cavity is at least about 4 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the second cavity is at least about 5 millimeters. Even more preferably, the length of the second cavity is at least about 6 millimeters. The length of the second cavity is preferably less than 17 millimeters or equal to approximately 17 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the second cavity is less than about 11 millimeters or equal to about 11 millimeters. Even more preferably, the length of the second cavity is less than 10 millimeters or equal to approximately 10 millimeters.

In some example embodiments, the length of the second cavity is from about 4 millimeters to about 17 millimeters, or from about 4 millimeters to about 11 millimeters, or from about 4 millimeters to about 10 millimeters. In other embodiments, the length of the second cavity is from about 5 millimeters to about 17 millimeters, or from about 5 millimeters to about 11 millimeters, or from about 5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters. In additional embodiments, the length of the second cavity is from about 6 millimeters to about 17 millimeters, or from about 6 millimeters to about 11 millimeters, or from about 6 millimeters to about 10 millimeters.

In some preferred embodiments, the length of the second cavity is from about 4 millimeters to about 17 millimeters, more preferably from about 5 millimeters to about 11 millimeters, even more preferably from about 6 millimeters to about 10 millimeters.

Preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 0.2 millimeters. More preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 0.5 millimeters. Even more preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 1 millimeter. The thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is preferably less than or equal to 3.5 millimeters. More preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is less than 3 millimeters or equal to 3 millimeters. Even more preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is less than or equal to 2.5 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the peripheral wall thickness of the hollow tubular segment is from about 0.2 millimeters to about 3.5 millimeters, or from about 0.2 millimeters to about 3 millimeters, or from about 0.2 millimeters to about 2.5 millimeters. In other embodiments, the peripheral wall thickness of the hollow tubular segment is from about 0.5 millimeters to about 3.5 millimeters, or from about 0.5 millimeters to about 3 millimeters, or from about 0.5 millimeters to about 2.5 millimeters. In further embodiments, the peripheral wall thickness of the hollow tubular segment is from about 1 millimeter to about 3.5 millimeters, or from about 1 millimeter to about 3 millimeters, or from about 1 millimeter to about 2.5 millimeters.

In some preferred embodiments, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is from about 0.2 millimeter to about 3.5 millimeters, more preferably from about 0.5 millimeter to about 3 millimeters, even more preferably from about 1 millimeter to about 2.5 millimeter.

Preferably, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 3 millimeters. More preferably, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 4 millimeters. Even more preferably, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 5 millimeters. The outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is preferably less than about 13 millimeters or equal to about 13 millimeters. More preferably, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is less than about 10 millimeters or equal to about 10 millimeters. Even more preferably, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is less than about 8 millimeters or equal to about 8 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is from about 3 millimeters to about 13 millimeters, or from about 3 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, or from about 3 millimeters to about 8 millimeters. In other embodiments, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is from about 4 millimeters to about 13 millimeters, or from about 4 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, or from about 4 millimeters to about 8 millimeters. In further embodiments, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is from about 5 millimeters to about 13 millimeters, or from about 5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, or from about 5 millimeters to about 8 millimeters.

In preferred embodiments, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is from about 3 millimeters to about 13 millimeters, more preferably from about 4 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, even more preferably from about 5 millimeters to about 8 millimeters. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is from about 4 millimeters to about 8 millimeters.

Preferably, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 2 millimeters. More preferably, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 3 millimeters. Even more preferably, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 4 millimeters. The inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is preferably less than about 10 millimeters or equal to about 10 millimeters. More preferably, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is less than or equal to approximately 7.5 millimeters. Even more preferably, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is less than about 6 millimeters or equal to about 6 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the internal diameter of the hollow tubular segment is from about 2 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, or from about 2 millimeters to about 7.5 millimeters, or from about 2 millimeters to about 6 millimeters. In other embodiments, the internal diameter of the hollow tubular segment is from about 3 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, or from about 3 millimeters to about 7.5 millimeters, or from about 3 millimeters to about 6 millimeters. In further embodiments, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is from about 4 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, or from about 4 millimeters to about 7.5 millimeters, or from about 4 millimeters to about 6 millimeters.

In preferred embodiments, the internal diameter of the hollow tubular segment is from about 2 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, more preferably from about 3 millimeters to about 7.5 millimeters, even more preferably from about 4 millimeters to about 6 millimeters. In some embodiments, the internal diameter of the hollow tubular segment is from about 3 millimeters to about 7.5 millimeters.

The overall length of the aerosol generating article is preferably at least about 35 millimeters. More preferably, the overall length of the aerosol generating article is at least about 40 millimeters. Even more preferably, the overall length of the aerosol generating article is at least about 45 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the overall length of the aerosol generating article is preferably less than about 100 millimeters or equal to about 100 millimeters. More preferably, the overall length of the aerosol generating article is less than about 80 millimeters or equal to about 80 millimeters. Even more preferably, the overall length of the aerosol generating article is less than about 75 millimeters or equal to about 75 millimeters. Most preferably, the overall length of the aerosol generating article is less than about 70 millimeters or equal to about 70 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the overall length of the aerosol generating article is from about 35 millimeters to about 100 millimeters, or from about 35 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, or from about 35 millimeters to about 75 millimeters, or from about 35 millimeters to about 70 millimeters. In other embodiments, the overall length of the aerosol generating article is from about 40 millimeters to about 100 millimeters, or from about 40 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, or from about 40 millimeters to about 75 millimeters, or from about 40 millimeters to about 70 millimeters. In further embodiments, the overall length of the aerosol generating article is from about 45 millimeters to about 100 millimeters, or from about 45 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, or from about 45 millimeters to about 75 millimeters, or from about 45 millimeters to about 70 millimeters.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the overall length of the aerosol generating article is from about 35 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, more preferably from about 40 millimeters to about 75 millimeters, even more preferably from about 45 millimeters to about 70 millimeters.

As briefly described above, the aerosol generating article may include an additional component between the hollow tubular support member and the aerosol cooling member. In some embodiments, the additional component may be an additional aerosol cooling element (also referred to herein as a "secondary" aerosol cooling element) configured to initiate cooling of the gaseous stream coming from the aerosol generating substrate to promote condensation of compounds released from substrate for their condensation to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the secondary aerosol cooling element may be configured as an assembled, optionally corrugated, sheet of polymeric material such as polylactic acid (PLA) that defines a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. In practice, a PLA sheet may be "corrugated" to form substantially parallel folds or corrugations. The corrugated PLA sheet may then be gathered, folded, folded or pleated, or otherwise compressed or tapered substantially transversely relative to the longitudinal axis such that said substantially parallel folds or corrugations extend in the longitudinal direction. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it should be noted that one such assembled corrugated sheet of polymeric material can act essentially as a heat exchanger.

Preferably, the length of the additional aerosol cooling element is at least about 4 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the additional aerosol cooling element is at least about 6 millimeters. Even more preferably, the length of the additional aerosol cooling element is at least about 9 millimeters. The length of the additional aerosol cooling element is preferably less than about 25 millimeters or equal to about 25 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the additional aerosol cooling element is preferably less than 20 millimeters or equal to approximately 20 millimeters. Even more preferably, the length of the additional aerosol cooling element is preferably less than about 15 millimeters or equal to about 15 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the length of the additional aerosol cooling element is from about 4 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, or from about 4 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, or from about 4 millimeters to about 15 millimeters. In other embodiments, the length of the additional aerosol cooling element is from about 6 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, or from about 6 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, or from about 6 millimeters to about 15 millimeters. In further embodiments, the length of the additional aerosol cooling element is from about 9 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, or from about 9 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, or from about 9 millimeters to about 15 millimeters.

In some preferred embodiments, the length of the additional aerosol cooling element is from about 4 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, more preferably from about 6 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, even more preferably from about 9 millimeters to about 15 millimeters.

The components of the aerosol generating article of the present invention may be individually surrounded by a wrapper. The wrapper can be made of porous or non-porous sheet material. The wrapper may be made from any suitable material or combination of materials. Preferably, the wrapper is a paper wrapper. However, two or more components can also be surrounded by a common wrapper. In addition, the aerosol generating substrate rod and other components are typically assembled within a single wrapper. For example, in an embodiment, the aerosol generating article comprises, in a linear sequential arrangement, a rod of aerosol generating substrate, a tubular support member, an aerosol cooling member described above, and an outer wrap surrounding said rod, support member, and aerosol cooling member. In yet another embodiment, the aerosol generating article comprises, in a linear sequential arrangement, a rod of an aerosol generating substrate, a tubular support member, a secondary aerosol cooling member, an aerosol cooling member described above, and an outer wrap surrounding said rod, support member, and elements for cooling the aerosol.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating articles include a ventilation zone at a location along the aerosol cooling element. Preferably, the aerosol generating article includes a ventilation zone at a location along the length of the aerosol cooling element.

In some embodiments, a ventilation zone is provided at a location along the upstream cavity. Thus, fluid communication is provided between the external environment and the upstream cavity such that when a user takes a puff on the aerosol-generating article, some ambient air is drawn into the upstream cavity through vents extending through the peripheral wall of the cavity. tubular segment. This has the advantage that by mixing ambient air with the incoming aerosol stream, it is possible to reduce the temperature of the aerosol and/or promote condensation or growth of aerosol particles. At the same time, the flow of ambient air through the peripheral wall of the aerosol cooling element provides the ability to further assist in maintaining the peripheral wall temperature below the desired threshold value.

In other embodiments, a ventilation zone is provided at a location along the length of the aerosol cooling element such that fluid communication is provided between the external environment and the downstream cavity. In particularly preferred embodiments, the ventilation zone includes a plurality of openings extending through the peripheral wall and the transverse wall of the aerosol cooling element such that inclined air channels are formed that connect the external environment to the downstream cavity. This, in particular, provides the ability to help maintain the temperature of the peripheral wall of the aerosol cooling element below the required threshold value, especially in areas near the transverse wall where maximum heat transfer is expected.

The aerosol generating article described above can be used in an electrical aerosol generating device as part of an aerosol generating system, according to another aspect of the present invention. One such aerosol generating system comprises an aerosol generating article described above and an electrical aerosol generating device comprising a heating element and an elongated heating chamber configured to accommodate the aerosol generating article such that a rod of aerosol generating substrate is heated in the heating chamber. Preferably, the heating element includes a heating blade or heating pin configured to be inserted into the aerosol generating substrate rod when the aerosol generating article is placed in the heating chamber.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings, in which:

in Fig. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

in Fig. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

in Fig. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 show schematic cross-sectional views along plane AA of embodiments of the aerosol generating article of FIGS. 1, illustrating various cross-wall arrangements of an aerosol cooling element; And

in Fig. 9 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an aerosol generating system comprising an electrical aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article shown in FIG. 1.

The aerosol generating article 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a rod 12 of aerosol generating substrate, a tubular support member 14 and an aerosol cooling member 16. These three elements are arranged in series and in coaxial alignment and are surrounded by a wrapper 18 to form an aerosol generating article 10. The aerosol generating article 10 has a mouthpiece end or downstream end 20 and an upstream end 22 located at the end of the article opposite the mouthpiece end. 20. The aerosol generating article 10 shown in FIG. 1 is particularly suitable for use with an electric aerosol generating device comprising a heater for heating the aerosol generating substrate rod.

The aerosol generating substrate rod 12 has a length of approximately 12 millimeters and a diameter of approximately 7 millimeters. The rod 12 has a cylindrical shape and a substantially circular cross-section.

The tubular support member 14 is provided in the form of a hollow tube of cellulose acetate. The tubular support element 14 has a length of approximately 8 millimeters. The outer diameter of the tubular support element 14 is approximately 7 millimeters. The peripheral wall of the tubular support member 14 has a thickness of approximately 1.85 millimeters.

The aerosol cooling element 16 is made of a cellulose-based thermoplastic material and has an overall length of approximately 14 millimeters. The aerosol cooling element 16 comprises a hollow tubular segment containing a peripheral wall 24 having a thickness of approximately 0.5 millimeters. In addition, the hollow tubular segment includes a transverse wall 26 at a location between the upstream end and the downstream end of the hollow tubular segment. Thus, the hollow tubular segment defines a first cavity 28 located upstream of the transverse wall 26 and a second cavity 30 located downstream of the transverse wall 26.

An opening 32 is provided in the cross wall 26 to provide fluid communication between the first cavity 28 and the second cavity 30. The first upstream cavity 28 is approximately 6 millimeters in length. The second, downstream cavity 30 has a length of approximately 8 millimeters. Thus, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is approximately 0.75.

The hole 32 is located centrally in the cross wall 26 and has an equivalent diameter of approximately 0.5 millimeters.

In FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of an aerosol generating article 50 according to the present invention. The aerosol generating article 50 is similar to the aerosol generating article 10 of FIG. 1 and will be described below only to the extent that it differs from aerosol generating article 10. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used to identify components of the article that are present in both embodiments.

The aerosol generating article 50 shown in FIG. 2, contains a rod 12 of an aerosol generating substrate, a tubular support element 14 and an element 1 6 for cooling the aerosol. In addition, the aerosol generating article 50 includes a secondary aerosol cooling element 40 located between the tubular support element 14 and the aerosol cooling element 16. These four elements are arranged in series and in coaxial alignment and are surrounded by a wrapper 18 to form an aerosol generating article 50. The aerosol generating article 50 has a mouthpiece end or downstream end 20 and an upstream end 22 opposite the mouthpiece end 20 of the article.

The secondary aerosol cooling element 40 includes an assembled corrugated PLA sheet that defines a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. The arrows schematically show the direction of the aerosol flow flowing through the product. After passing through the secondary aerosol cooling element, the aerosol stream is concentrated through openings 32 in the cross wall 26 before it is more widely distributed in the downstream cavity 30 of the aerosol cooling element 16 and before reaching the mouth of the consumer.

In FIG. 3-8 show details of alternative embodiments of aerosol generating articles in accordance with the present invention. In particular, in FIG. 3-8 show various arrangements for one or more openings in the transverse wall of the aerosol cooling element in sectional views taken in planes corresponding to the X-X plane shown in FIG. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 3-5 show embodiments in which the cross wall includes a plurality of holes 34 spaced at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction above the central hole. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a plurality of holes 34 are provided in the form of two subsets of holes located at different radial distances from the central hole (ie from the longitudinal axis of the product). In the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the transverse wall only includes a plurality of circumferentially aligned holes 34. On the other hand, in the embodiments of FIGS. 6-8, the cross wall includes a plurality of substantially radial slots 36 extending from the center to a location between the center and the periphery of the cross wall. Thus, in these embodiments, a substantially star-shaped opening is provided in the cross wall. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is understood that by varying the size and location of the plurality of holes 32, 34, 36 in the cross wall 26, the homogenization and mixing of the air and airborne vaporized aerosols prior to delivery of the aerosol to the consumer's mouth can be controlled and adjusted. At the same time, by concentrating the aerosol flow at locations more or less close to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article, it is possible for the heat transfer from the aerosol to selected areas of the transverse wall to predominate over the heat transfer from the aerosol to the peripheral wall of the aerosol cooling element. This provides the advantage of simply ensuring that the surfaces of the product that come into contact with the consumer's mouth during use do not reach temperatures above a predetermined threshold value.

In FIG. 9 shows a portion of an electrical aerosol generating system 200 that uses a heating blade 210 to heat the aerosol generating substrate rod 12 in the aerosol generating article 10 shown in FIG. 1. A heating blade 210 is mounted within a chamber of the aerosol generating article within a housing of the electrical aerosol generating device 212. The aerosol generating device 212 has a plurality of air holes 214 allowing air to flow into the aerosol generating article 10, as shown by arrows in FIG. 9. The aerosol generating device 212 includes a power source and electronics that are not shown in FIG. 9.

The aerosol generating article 10 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to interface with the aerosol generating device 212 shown in FIG. 9, for the purpose of consumption.

The user inserts the aerosol generating article 10 into the aerosol generating device 212, whereby the heating blade 210 is inserted into the aerosol generating substrate rod 12. An aerosol cooling member 16 projects outward from the mouthpiece end of the device 212. After engaging the aerosol generating article 10 with the aerosol generating device 212, the user tightens the aerosol cooling member 16 forming the mouthpiece of the aerosol generating article 10 and the aerosol generating rod 12 the substrate is heated by heating blade 210 to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate rod 12. The aerosol is drawn through the element 16 to cool the aerosol into the user's mouth.

It should be understood that the aerosol generating article 10 shown in FIG. 1 may also be suitable for use with other types of aerosol generating devices.

Claims (19)

1. An aerosol-generating product for creating an aerosol when heated, containing: a rod of an aerosol-generating substrate containing an aerosol-forming agent, the aerosol-generating substrate having an aerosol-forming agent content of greater than 10 percent on a dry weight basis; a hollow tubular support member located immediately downstream of the aerosol generating substrate rod; an aerosol cooling element located downstream of the hollow tubular support element and extending the entire length to the downstream end of the aerosol generating article, wherein the aerosol cooling member comprises a hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall at a location between an upstream end and a downstream end of the hollow tubular segment, such that the hollow tubular segment defines a first cavity located upstream of the transverse wall, and a second cavity located downstream of the transverse wall, and the transverse wall includes one or more openings providing fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity. 2. The aerosol generating article according to claim 1, wherein the transverse wall has one central hole having an equivalent diameter of from 0.3 millimeters to 0.6 millimeters. 3. The aerosol generating article according to claim 1, wherein the transverse wall has a plurality of holes spaced at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, each hole having an equivalent diameter of from 0.1 millimeter to 0.5 millimeter. 4. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the cross wall has a plurality of radial slots extending from the center of the cross wall to a length less than the radius of the cross wall. 5. An aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the aerosol cooling element is at least 5 millimeters. 6. An aerosol-generating product according to any of the previous claims, wherein the length of the aerosol cooling element is less than 20 millimeters. 7. The aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the first cavity is less than the length of the second cavity. 8. The aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is from 0.15 to 0.8. 9. An aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the first cavity is at least 3 millimeters. 10. An aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the first cavity is less than 13 millimeters. 11. The aerosol generating article according to any of the previous claims, wherein the length of the second cavity is at least 5 millimeters. 12. An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the second cavity is less than 17 millimeters. 13. The aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral wall thickness of the hollow tubular segment is at least 2 millimeters. 14. The aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least 3 millimeters. 15. The aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an additional aerosol cooling element located between the tubular support element and the aerosol cooling element, the length of the first aerosol cooling element being from 4 millimeters to 20 millimeters.