RU2825127C1 - Aerosol-generating article having plurality of air inlet zones - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to the tobacco industry, in particular to devices simulating the tobacco smoking process. Aerosol-generating article for generating an aerosol when heated comprises a rod of an aerosol-forming substrate and a filter located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod and comprising a hollow tubular segment. Rod of the aerosol-forming substrate and the filter are assembled inside the wrapper. Aerosol-generating article comprises first and second air inlet zones, which are located on the wrapper and each of which is configured to allow air inlet into the inner region of the aerosol-generating article. First air inlet zone is located along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate. Second air inlet zone is located along the hollow tubular segment. Aerosol-generating system comprises the disclosed aerosol-generating article and the aerosol-generating device having a far end, a mouth end and a heater. Casing forms a cavity of the device for detachable arrangement of the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end of the device. Aerosol-generating system is configured so that when the aerosol-generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device, fluid communication is provided between the inner region of the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and an area outside the aerosol-generating device due to the provision of fluid communication between the first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article placed inside the cavity of the device and the airflow channel of the aerosol-generating device.

EFFECT: increased cooling and aerosol nucleation.

13 cl, 4 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article for creating an aerosol by heating. The present description also describes an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device.

Aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, is heated rather than burned are known in the art. Typically, in such heated aerosol-generating articles, the aerosol is generated by heat transfer from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-forming 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-forming substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and are entrained in air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol.

In a number of prior art documents, aerosol generating devices for consuming aerosol generating articles are disclosed. Such devices include, for example, electrically heated aerosol generating devices, in which the aerosol is generated as a result of heat transfer from one or more electrical heating elements of the aerosol generating device to an aerosol-forming substrate of the heated aerosol generating article.

Typically, an aerosol-generating article is specifically adapted for use with a specific aerosol-generating device, or an aerosol-generating device is specifically adapted for use with a specific aerosol-generating article. In particular, it may be required that certain aerosol-generating articles cannot be used with a specific aerosol-generating device. The reason for this may be that certain articles are suitable for heating by the heating element of a specific aerosol-generating device, since the device may overheat some aerosol-generating articles or not heat other aerosol-generating articles.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an aerosol generating article that is adapted for use in an aerosol generating system that prevents the use of an incompatible aerosol generating article with an aerosol generating device.

The present invention proposes an aerosol-generating article for creating an aerosol upon heating. The aerosol-generating article comprises a rod of an aerosol-generating substrate and a filter located downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. The rod of the aerosol-generating substrate and the filter are assembled inside a wrapper. The aerosol-generating article comprises first and second air inlet zones located on the wrapper. Each of the first and second air inlet zones is configured to provide air inlet into the inner region of the aerosol-generating article.

The present invention proposes an aerosol-generating article for creating an aerosol upon heating. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a rod of an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter located downstream relative to the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate. The rod of the aerosol-generating substrate and the filter may be assembled inside a wrapper. The aerosol-generating article may comprise first and second air inlet zones located on the wrapper. Each of the first and second air inlet zones may be configured to provide air inlet into the inner region of the aerosol-generating article. The first air inlet zone may be located at the first location along the aerosol-generating article. The second air inlet zone may be located at the second location along the aerosol-generating article. The second air inlet zone may be located downstream relative to the first air inlet zone. One of the first and second air inlet zones may be located along the hollow tubular segment.

The first air inlet zone may be located at a first location along the aerosol-forming substrate rod, and the second air inlet zone may be located at a second location further downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The present invention proposes an aerosol-generating article for creating an aerosol upon heating. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a rod of an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a downstream section located downstream relative to the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate. The rod of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section may be assembled inside a wrapper. The aerosol-generating article may comprise first and second air inlet zones located on the wrapper. Each of the first and second air inlet zones may be configured to provide air inlet into the inner region of the aerosol-generating article. The first air inlet zone may be located at a first location along the aerosol-generating article. The second air inlet zone may be located at a second location along the aerosol-generating article. The second air inlet zone may be located downstream relative to the first air inlet zone.

The aerosol-generating article may contain an aerosol-forming substance. The aerosol-forming substance content of the aerosol-forming substrate may be greater than about 10 percent on a dry weight basis.

By providing such a relatively high content of the aerosol forming substance, the formation of the aerosol is facilitated, in particular in the case of a heated aerosol-generating article. The said content of the aerosol forming substance in combination with the provision of the first and second air inlet zones located at a distance from each other improves the nucleation of the aerosol, which in turn provides a sufficient amount of aerosol for delivery to the user at relatively lower temperatures achieved in aerosol-generating articles that are designed to create an aerosol by heating rather than by combustion. In addition, despite the lower operating temperatures, cooling may still be required in the region downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. The provision of a second, downstream air inlet zone contributes to this cooling effect by providing ventilation, and the provision of the aerosol forming substance improves the nucleation of the aerosol during use. These advantages, which result in improved aerosol delivery (due to improved cooling and nucleation of the aerosol), are further enhanced if at least one of the air inlet zones is relatively wide (e.g. due to the inclusion of a substantially porous portion of the wrapper) or if the aerosol-forming substrate comprises homogenized tobacco material.

The filter or downstream section may comprise a hollow tubular segment. The hollow tubular segment may be located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The hollow tubular segment may be located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod immediately thereafter.

The first air inlet zone or the second air inlet zone may be located along the hollow tubular segment. The second air inlet zone may be located along the hollow tubular segment. The first air inlet zone may be located at a first location along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate, and the second air inlet zone may be located along the hollow tubular segment.

An aerosol-generating article may be configured to be used with a specific aerosol-generating device to form an aerosol-generating system. The present disclosure also relates to such an aerosol-generating system. As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device comprising a heating element that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.

An aerosol generating device in an aerosol generating system may have a distal end and a mouth end. The aerosol generating device may comprise a casing. The casing may form a cavity of the device for removable placement of an aerosol generating article on the mouth end of the device. The aerosol generating device may comprise a heater for heating an aerosol forming substrate when placing the aerosol generating article inside the cavity of the device. The aerosol generating device may comprise an air flow channel extending between an inlet opening of the channel and an outlet opening of the channel. The air flow channel may be configured to provide fluid communication between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating system or device can be designed in such a way that when an aerosol generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device, the possibility of fluid communication is ensured between the internal region of the cavity of the device and the region outside the aerosol generating device by ensuring fluid communication between the first air inlet zone of the aerosol generating article placed inside the cavity of the device and the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device.

In order to consume the aerosol-generating article of the present invention and generate the aerosol inside the aerosol-generating device of the aerosol-generating system, it is necessary to provide a fluid communication between the inner region of the aerosol-generating article and the region outside the aerosol-generating device. During use, the user can puff on the aerosol-generating article, so that the user can feel and consume the aerosol generated inside the aerosol-generating article. Due to this drawing action, air can flow from the region outside the aerosol-generating device through the aerosol-generating device into the aerosol-generating article and through it in order to transfer the generated aerosol inside the article to the user's mouth.

Due to the fact that the aerosol-generating system is designed in such a way that a fluid communication is provided between the internal region of the cavity of the device and the region outside the aerosol-generating device due to the provision of a fluid communication between the first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article placed inside the cavity of the device and the air flow channel of the aerosol-generating device, the use of compatible aerosol-generating articles with the aerosol-generating device is provided. For use in the aerosol-generating system according to the present invention, compatible aerosol-generating articles must have a first air inlet zone configured to provide a fluid communication between the first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article, when it is placed in the cavity of the device, and the air flow channel of the aerosol-generating device. In addition, compatible aerosol-generating devices must have an air flow channel designed in such a way that it provides a fluid communication with the first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article placed inside the device.

Fluid communication between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol-generating device may be provided by superimposing the outlet of the air flow channel of the aerosol-generating device on the first air inlet zone or by overlapping this outlet with the first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article located inside the cavity of the device. Thus, compatible aerosol-generating articles must have a first air inlet zone configured in such a way that the outlet of the air flow channel of the aerosol-generating device lies on top of the first air inlet zone or overlaps with the first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article when it is located inside the cavity of the device. In addition, compatible aerosol-generating devices must have an air flow channel configured in such a way that the outlet lies on top of the first air inlet zone or overlaps with the first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article when it is located inside the device.

If an incompatible aerosol generating article is used with the aerosol generating device of the aerosol generating system disclosed in the present description, the user will not be able to use the aerosol generating system and will not be able to consume the incompatible aerosol generating article or at least experience the full range of sensations from it. In addition, if a compatible aerosol generating article is used with another aerosol generating device that does not relate to the aerosol generating system of the present disclosure, the user will also not be able to use the aerosol generating system and will not be able to consume the compatible aerosol generating article or at least experience the full range of sensations from it. The reason for this is that fluid communication between the interior of the cavity of the device and the area outside the aerosol generating device cannot be ensured properly or completely if there is no alignment of the outlet opening of the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device and the first air inlet zone of the aerosol generating article.

Fluid communication between the region outside the aerosol generating device and the interior region of the aerosol generating article may be provided by partially or completely blocking or aligning between the outlet opening of the air flow channel of the device and the first air inlet zone of the article.

Fluid communication between the region outside the aerosol generating device and the interior region of the aerosol generating article may be provided by partially or completely blocking or equalizing between the air flow channel of the device and the first air inlet zone of the article.

The first air inlet zone is located at a first location along the aerosol-forming substrate rod, and the second air inlet zone is located at a second location further downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

By providing a first air inlet zone located at a first location along the aerosol-forming substrate rod and a second air inlet zone located at a second location downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod, the aerosol-generating article of the present invention is capable of providing both a main air inlet zone located along the aerosol-forming substrate rod and a ventilation zone located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. During use in a compatible aerosol-generating device, the first air inlet zone is capable of allowing most of the air to enter the aerosol-generating article, while the second air inlet zone is capable of providing ventilation of the generated aerosol stream to cool the stream and improve the user's sensations.

As used herein, the term "longitudinal" refers to a direction corresponding to the major longitudinal axis of the article or aerosol-generating device that extends between the upstream and downstream ends of the aerosol-generating article or aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" describe the relative positions of elements or portions of elements of an article or aerosol-generating device relative to the direction in which the aerosol is transported through the aerosol-generating article during use.

The term "mouth end" refers to that portion of an element or component that is configured to be placed in or near the mouth of a user during normal use of the element or component. The mouth end of a component may also correspond to a downstream end of the same component. For example, the mouth end of an aerosol-generating article may also be a downstream end of the article. The mouth end of an article or aerosol-generating device is configured to be placed in or near the mouth of a consumer during normal use. The mouth end of an aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device.

During use, air is primarily drawn through the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. Outside the device, air may be drawn through the article through the upstream end.

The term "cross" refers to the direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Any reference to a "section" of an aerosol-generating article or component of an aerosol-generating article refers to a cross-section unless otherwise specified.

The term "length" refers to the size of a component of an article or aerosol generating device relative to the longitudinal direction.

The cavity of the device may be called the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. The cavity of the device may extend between the distal end and the mouthpiece or proximal end. The distal end of the cavity of the device may be a closed end, and the mouthpiece or proximal end of the cavity of the device may be an open end. The aerosol-generating article may be inserted into the cavity of the device or the heating chamber through the open end of the cavity of the device. The cavity of the device may have a cylindrical shape to match the same shape of the aerosol-generating article.

The expression "housed within" may refer to the fact that a component or element is wholly or partially housed within another component or element. For example, the phrase "an aerosol-generating article is housed within a cavity of a device" refers to an aerosol-generating article that is wholly or partially housed within a cavity of a device for an aerosol-generating article. When an aerosol-generating article is housed within a cavity of a device, the aerosol-generating article may abut against a distal end of the cavity of the device. When an aerosol-generating article is housed within a cavity of a device, the aerosol-generating article may be in close proximity to a distal end of the cavity of the device. The distal end of the cavity of the device may be formed by an end wall.

The length of the cavity of the device may be from about 10 mm to about 50 mm. The length of the cavity of the device may be from about 20 mm to about 40 mm. The length of the cavity of the device may be from about 25 mm to about 30 mm. The length of the cavity of the device may be equal to or greater than the length of the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The diameter of the cavity of the device may be from about 4 mm to about 50 mm. The diameter of the cavity of the device may be from about 4 mm to about 30 mm. The diameter of the cavity of the device may be from about 5 mm to about 15 mm. The diameter of the cavity of the device may be from about 6 mm to about 12 mm. The diameter of the cavity of the device may be from about 7 mm to about 10 mm. The diameter of the cavity of the device may be from about 7 mm to about 8 mm.

The diameter of the cavity of the device may be equal to or greater than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article. The diameter of the cavity of the device may be equal to the diameter of the aerosol-generating article in order to ensure a tight fit with the aerosol-generating article.

The cavity of the device may be designed to provide a tight fit with an aerosol-generating article located inside the cavity of the device. A tight fit may refer to a tight fit. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a peripheral wall. Such a peripheral wall may form a cavity of the device or a heating chamber. The peripheral wall forming the cavity of the device may be designed to interact with the aerosol-generating article located in the cavity of the device by means of a tight fit, so that there is essentially no gap or empty space between the peripheral wall forming the cavity of the device and the aerosol-generating article when it is located inside the device.

Such a press fit may provide a hermetic connection or configuration between the cavity of the device and the aerosol-generating article placed therein. Such a hermetic configuration may mean that the possibility of drawing air into the interior of the aerosol-generating article is ensured only by aligning or blocking the outlet opening of the air flow channel and the first air inlet zone. With such a hermetic configuration, there will be essentially no gap or empty space between the peripheral wall forming the cavity of the device and the aerosol-generating article for air to flow through it. Therefore, when using an incompatible aerosol-generating article with an aerosol-generating device, such alignment is impossible and, as a result, it is impossible to draw air through the incompatible aerosol-generating article.

The interference fit with the aerosol-generating article may be provided along the entire length of the cavity of the device or along a part of the length of the cavity of the device. The interference fit may be provided at a location further downstream relative to the first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article. The section of the peripheral wall that is designed to provide such an interference fit may be called the sealing section of the peripheral wall. Such an interference fit may be provided if the air flow channel is formed within the thickness of the peripheral wall of the aerosol-generating device. The sealing section of the peripheral wall may be formed along the entire length of the cavity of the device.

If the air flow channel is formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the device casing, then the sealing portion of the peripheral wall may be formed by a portion of the peripheral wall between the air flow channel and the distal end of the cavity of the device. This ensures that air cannot flow outside the air flow channel in the direction of the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The portion of the peripheral wall between the air flow channel and the distal end of the cavity of the device may form a sealed configuration with the upstream portion of the aerosol-generating article when it is placed in the device.

The sealing section of the peripheral wall may be configured to provide a hermetic fit with the section of the aerosol-generating article at a location further downstream relative to the first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article. The sealing section of the peripheral wall may be configured to provide a hermetic fit with the section of the aerosol-generating article at a location further downstream relative to the second air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article.

The diameter of the cavity of the device may vary along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device. The diameter of the cavity of the device may decrease from the far end of the cavity of the device to the sealing section of the peripheral wall.

The diameter of the cavity of the device may increase from the sealing section of the peripheral wall in the direction of the far end of the cavity of the device. The diameter of the cavity of the device between the far end of the cavity of the device and the sealing section of the peripheral wall may be larger than the diameter of the rest of the cavity of the device. The diameter of the cavity of the device may increase in the direction from the sealing section of the peripheral wall with distance from the mouthpiece end of the device.

By providing a portion of the cavity of the device with a larger diameter or larger diameters than the rest of the cavity of the device, it is possible for the cavity of the device to form a gap or chamber around (with the surrounding) of an upstream portion of the aerosol-generating article when it is placed inside the device. In such embodiments, the alignment or overlap between the first air inlet zone and the first outlet opening of the air flow channel of the device may not necessarily provide fluid communication between the area outside the device and the interior of the article. The air flow must still enter the article through the first air inlet zone. Air flowing into the cavity of the device through the first outlet opening of the air flow channel may flow into such a gap or chamber and then be drawn into the article through the first air inlet zone. Such a gap or chamber may provide an air cushion around said upstream portion of the article, which may either be heated by the heater of the device or act as a cooling air cushion surrounding the article.

The aerosol generating device may comprise a peripheral wall forming a cavity of the device, and the aerosol generating device may comprise a circular protrusion extending from the peripheral wall into the cavity of the device, wherein said circular protrusion is configured to provide a hermetic fit with a section of the aerosol generating article when it is placed in the aerosol generating device, at a location further downstream relative to the first air inlet zone of the aerosol generating article.

The diameter of the cavity of the device may be larger than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article, and the inner diameter of the circular protrusion may be equal to the diameter of the aerosol-generating article, so that a tight fit is ensured between the article and the circular protrusion when the article is placed in the aerosol-generating device. The inner diameter of the circular protrusion may even be smaller than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article. This makes it possible to more reliably perform a hermetic fit.

By providing a sealed fit with the aerosol-generating article downstream of the first air inlet zone, it is further ensured that air can only enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article when the outlet of the air flow channel and the first air inlet zone are aligned. This can be achieved by either a sealing portion of the peripheral wall or a circular projection, both of which are described above.

When the aerosol-generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device, it is possible to lock the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article, so as to substantially prevent air from entering the aerosol-generating article through its upstream end. However, when the aerosol-generating article is not placed in the aerosol-generating device, it is possible for air to flow through the aerosol-generating article through its upstream end. When the article is placed in the device or inserted into it, it is possible to abut the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article against the far end of the cavity of the device, so that air is no longer able to flow through the upstream end of the article. Thus, air flowing through the air flow channel can be drawn in only through the first air inlet zone. The upstream end of the aerosol-generating article can be formed by the upstream end of the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol generating device may comprise an air flow channel extending between the channel inlet and the channel outlet. The air flow channel may be configured to provide fluid communication between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol generating device. The air flow channel of the aerosol generating device may be formed inside the casing of the aerosol generating device to provide fluid communication between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol generating device. When the aerosol generating article is housed inside the cavity of the device, the air flow channel may be configured to provide air flow into the article in order to deliver the generated aerosol to the user, who takes a puff through the mouth end of the article.

The air flow passage of the aerosol generating device may be formed inside the peripheral wall of the casing of the aerosol generating device, or it may be formed by the peripheral wall of the casing. In other words, the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device may be formed within the thickness of the peripheral wall, or it may be formed by the inner surface of the peripheral wall, or a combination of these two options is possible. The air flow passage may be partially formed by the inner surface of the peripheral wall, and it may be partially formed within the thickness of the peripheral wall. The inner surface of the peripheral wall forms a peripheral boundary of the cavity of the device.

The air flow channel of the aerosol generating device may extend from the inlet located at the mouth end or the proximal end of the aerosol generating device to the outlet located at a distance from the mouth end of the device. The air flow channel may extend along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. The outlet opening of the air flow channel is designed in such a way that when a compatible aerosol generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device, this outlet opening lies above the first air inlet zone of the article.

The air flow channel may comprise more than one outlet opening, one for each air inlet zone provided in the article configured to be used with the aerosol generating device. For example, if the aerosol generating article comprises a first air inlet zone and a second air inlet zone, the air flow channel of the corresponding aerosol generating device may have at least one first outlet opening lying above the first air inlet zone and at least one second outlet opening lying above the second air inlet zone, when the aerosol generating article is completely placed inside the aerosol generating device. Thus, the aerosol generating system may be designed in such a way that when the aerosol generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device, fluid communication is provided between the internal region of the cavity of the device and the region outside the aerosol generating device due to the provision of fluid communication between the first and second air inlet zones of the aerosol generating article placed inside the cavity of the device and the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device.

If the air flow channel is formed inside the peripheral wall of the device, this air flow channel may comprise a first section extending in the axial direction of the device from the inlet opening of the channel, and a second section extending in the transverse or radial direction from the end of the first section to the outlet opening of the channel. As a result, the air flow channel may comprise a bend or an elbow for the purpose of connecting the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the air flow channel. If the air flow channel comprises more than one outlet opening along its length, this air flow channel may comprise additional sections of the channel extending in the transverse direction from the first section to each of the additional outlet openings. If the air flow channel comprises a single outlet opening, this air flow channel may comprise an L-shaped bend or an elbow.

If the air flow channel is formed by the inner surface of the peripheral wall, then this air flow channel can be opened along its entire length directly into the cavity of the device, i.e. the longitudinal side of the air flow channel can be opened into the cavity of the device. The thickness of the peripheral wall section forming the air flow channel can be less than the thickness of the remaining section of the peripheral wall. The diameter of the peripheral wall section forming the air flow channel can be greater than the diameter of the remaining section of the peripheral wall. In such embodiments, the air flow channel can have an annular shape so that this air flow channel surrounds the cavity of the device and the aerosol-generating article located inside the cavity of the device.

In those embodiments in which the air flow channel is formed by the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the casing, this air flow channel can be open or open along its entire length into the cavity of the device and, thus, into the aerosol-generating article located inside the device. In such embodiments, in order to provide fluid communication between the area outside the aerosol-generating device and the interior of the aerosol-generating article, the air flow channel is designed in such a way that it lies above all air inlet zones of the compatible aerosol-generating article. In such embodiments, the outlet opening of the air flow channel can be considered the open side of the air flow channel, that is, the side of the air flow channel that exits or opens into the cavity of the device.

The length of the air flow channel may be shorter than the length of the cavity of the device. The length of the air flow channel refers to the longitudinal or axial distance that the air flow channel extends.

The air flow channel may be designed so that the first outlet opening of the air flow channel is aligned with the first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article located in the cavity of the device, or lies above it. The air flow channel may extend from the first inlet opening located at the mouth end of the casing of the aerosol-generating device to the first outlet opening. The first or any other outlet opening of the air flow channel may be provided between the distal end and the mouth end of the cavity of the device.

The first outlet may be located at a distance of at least approximately 2 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device. The first outlet may be located at a distance of at least approximately 3 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device. The first outlet may be located at a distance of at least approximately 5 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device. The first outlet may be located at a distance of at least approximately 7 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device.

The distance between the first outlet opening and the distal end of the cavity of the device and the distance between the first air inlet zone, when the article is placed inside the cavity of the device, and the distal end of the cavity of the device may be close to or equal. The distance between the additional outlet opening of the air flow channel and the distal end of the cavity of the device and the distance between the additional air inlet zone, when the article is placed inside the cavity of the device, and the distal end of the cavity of the device may be close to or equal. The distance between the distal end of the air flow channel and the distal end of the cavity of the device and the distance between the air inlet zone, when the article is placed inside the cavity of the device, and the distal end of the cavity of the device may be close to or equal.

The first outlet may be located at a distance of no more than about 25 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device. The first outlet may be located at a distance of from about 3 mm to about 20 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device. The first outlet may be located at a distance of from about 5 mm to about 18 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device. The first outlet may be located at a distance of from about 7 mm to about 16 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device. The air flow channel does not necessarily extend beyond the distal end of the cavity of the device.

The length of the air flow channel may be approximately 23 mm. The length of the air flow channel may be from approximately 3 mm to approximately 100 mm. The length of the air flow channel may be from approximately 8 mm to approximately 70 mm. The length of the air flow channel may be from approximately 10 mm to approximately 50 mm. The length of the air flow channel may be from approximately 12 mm to approximately 40 mm. The length of the air flow channel may be from approximately 12 mm to approximately 40 mm. The length of the air flow channel may be from approximately 15 mm to approximately 30 mm. The length of the air flow channel may be from approximately 20 mm to approximately 25 mm.

If the compatible aerosol-generating article comprises a first air inlet zone located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod, the length of the air flow channel may be from about 8 mm to about 25 mm. The length of the air flow channel may be from about 10 mm to about 15 mm. The length of the air flow channel may be from about 11 mm to about 13 mm.

The diameter of the air flow channel may be from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm. The diameter of the air flow channel may be from about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm. The diameter of the air flow channel may be from about 1 mm to about 3 mm. The diameter of the air flow channel may be from about 1.5 mm to about 2.5 mm. The diameters of the air flow channel and its outlet and inlet openings may be the same or different.

The "length" of the air flow duct can be understood as the distance the air flow duct extends in the longitudinal direction.

In the aerosol generating device, a plurality of air flow channels may be provided, each of which has at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening. This plurality of air flow channels may be uniformly distributed around the circumference of the cavity of the device.

The channel or each of the air flow channels may comprise one inlet and a plurality of outlets. In such embodiments, there may be one outlet corresponding to each air inlet zone provided in the aerosol-generating article configured to be placed in the aerosol-generating device.

As described above, the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention comprises a rod of an aerosol-forming substrate and a filter or a downstream section located downstream of the rod of an aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-generating article may further comprise an upstream section at a location further downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate rod. The upstream section may comprise one or more upstream elements. In some embodiments, the upstream section may comprise an upstream element located upstream of the aerosol-generating element immediately before it. The upstream element may extend from the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The upstream element may abut against the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The upstream element may be called the upstream section. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an air inlet at the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. If the aerosol-generating article comprises an upstream element, the air inlet may pass through the upstream element. Air passing through the air inlet may pass into the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an inhalable aerosol stream.

The porosity or permeability of the upstream section may advantageously be varied to provide the desired overall draw resistance of the aerosol generating article.

In some embodiments, the upstream section may be made of an air-impermeable material. In such embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may be designed so that air flows into the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate through suitable ventilation means provided in the wrapper.

The upstream section may be made of any material suitable for use in an aerosol-generating article. For example, the upstream element may comprise a plug made of material. Suitable materials for the upstream section include filter materials, ceramics, polymeric material, cellulose acetate, cardboard, zeolite, or an aerosol-generating substrate. Preferably, the upstream section comprises a plug comprising cellulose acetate.

If the upstream section comprises a plug of material, the downstream end of the plug of material may abut the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the upstream section may comprise a plug comprising cellulose acetate and abutting the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate. This provides the advantage of helping to hold the aerosol-generating substrate in place.

If the upstream section comprises a plug of material, the downstream end of the plug of material may be spaced apart from the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate. The upstream element may comprise a plug comprising fibrous filter material.

The upstream section may have a length of at least about 1 millimeter. For example, the upstream section may have a length of at least about 2 millimeters, at least about 4 millimeters, or at least about 6 millimeters.

The upstream section may have a length of no more than about 15 millimeters. For example, the upstream section may have a length of no more than about 12 millimeters, no more than about 10 millimeters, or no more than about 8 millimeters.

The upstream section may have a length of about 1 millimeter to about 15 millimeters. For example, the upstream section may have a length of about 2 millimeters to about 12 millimeters, or about 4 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, or about 6 millimeters to about 8 millimeters.

The upstream section or element may comprise a hollow tubular segment.

The filter or downstream section may comprise a mouthpiece segment comprising a plug of filter material and a hollow tubular segment at a location between the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate and the mouthpiece segment. All three elements may be aligned in the longitudinal direction. The rod of the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least an aerosol-forming substance. The hollow tubular segment may be a support segment or a cooling segment. The hollow tubular segment may be located or may be located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate immediately after it.

The filter or downstream section may comprise a mouthpiece segment comprising a plug of filter material and an aerosol cooling segment (or element) at a location between the aerosol-forming substrate rod and the mouthpiece segment. All three elements may be aligned longitudinally.

The mouthpiece segment may comprise a hollow tubular segment. The mouthpiece segment may be a hollow tubular segment. The mouthpiece segment may be a plug made of filter material.

In the context of this document, the term "aerosol cooling element" may refer to a component of an aerosol-generating article located downstream of an aerosol-forming substrate such that, in use, an aerosol formed by volatile compounds released from the aerosol-forming substrate passes through said aerosol cooling element and is cooled by it before inhalation by the user. The aerosol cooling element has a large surface area but creates a low pressure drop. The aerosol cooling element may have a function of reducing the temperature of the aerosol stream drawn through the element by transferring heat. Aerosol components will interact with the aerosol cooling element and lose thermal energy.

The aerosol cooling element may comprise a sheet material selected from the group consisting of metal foil, a sheet of polymeric material, and substantially non-porous paper or cardboard. In some embodiments, the aerosol cooling element may comprise a sheet material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose acetate (CA), and aluminum foil.

Aerosol-generating articles are typically disposed of after consumption. It may be useful for the elements that form the aerosol-generating article to be biodegradable. Thus, it may be useful for the aerosol cooling element to be made of a biodegradable material, such as non-porous paper or a biodegradable polymer, such as polylactic acid or Mater-Bi® (a commercially available family of starch-based copolyesters). In some embodiments, the entire aerosol-generating article is biodegradable or biodegradable.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention may comprise an additional support element (or support segment) located between the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate and the hollow tubular segment or segment (or element) for cooling the aerosol and aligned with them in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, the support element (or support segment) is provided downstream of the rod immediately after it and upstream of the hollow tubular segment or element for cooling the aerosol immediately before it. The additional support element or segment may be tubular.

The wrapper of the aerosol-generating article may comprise an air-impermeable material. The wrapper of the aerosol-generating article may comprise a hermetic material. By equipping the aerosol-generating article with an air-impermeable or hermetic material, in the case of closing the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article when inserted into the cavity of the device or the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device, air is drawn in through the first air inlet zone in order to supply air to the aerosol-generating article. In other words, it is possible for the first zone to form the main and only air inlet section of the article through which air can be drawn into the article.

The expression "hermetic material" or "air-impermeable material" is used throughout this specification to mean a material that substantially prevents fluids, particularly air and smoke, from passing through the interstices or pores in the material. For example, if a wrapper is made of a material that is impermeable to air and aerosol particles, then it is ensured that air and aerosol particles drawn through the article are not able to pass through the wrapper material. Conversely, the term "porous" is used herein to mean a material that has a plurality of pores or openings that allow air to pass through the material.

By providing a wrapper made of an air-impermeable material, it is possible for air to enter the internal region of the aerosol-generating article only through the first air inlet zone provided in the wrapper when the article is placed in the aerosol-generating device.

The first air inlet zone may be located at a (first) location along the aerosol generating article.

The first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate. The first air inlet zone may be located around the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate. The first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located at a location along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The first air inlet zone may be located at a location downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at least 1 mm downstream of or after the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located along the hollow tubular segment. The first air inlet zone may be located around the hollow tubular segment. The first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located at a location along the hollow tubular segment.

The first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located along the support segment. The first air inlet zone may be located around the support segment. The first air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located at a location along the support segment. The support segment may be a hollow support segment.

The aerosol-generating article may extend between an upstream end and a downstream end. The downstream end of the article may coincide with the downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate rod. In other words, the downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate rod may form the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

The first air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 2 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 3 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 4 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 5 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 6 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 7 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 8 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 9 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 10 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 12 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The first air inlet zone may be located approximately 20 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located approximately 15 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located approximately 14 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located approximately 13 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located approximately 12 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located approximately 10 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located approximately 9 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located approximately 8 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located approximately 6 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located approximately 5 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 20 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 3 mm to about 15 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 4 mm to about 12 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 15 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 3 mm to about 12 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 5 mm to about 10 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 12 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 3 mm to about 10 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 5 mm to about 8 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 10 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 3 mm to about 9 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 5 mm to about 8 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 8 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 6 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 5 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 10 mm to about 20 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 12 mm to about 15 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The first air inlet zone may be located along the upstream half of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. By arranging the first air inlet zone along the upstream half of the aerosol-forming substrate rod, it is possible that the air drawn through the first air inlet zone will be drawn through a significant length of the aerosol-forming substrate rod in order to optimize aerosol generation and efficient use of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The first air inlet zone may be located along the downstream half of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air inlet zone may be located along the upstream half of the hollow tubular segment. The first air inlet zone may be located along the upstream half of the support segment. The first air inlet zone may be located along the downstream half of the hollow tubular segment. The first air inlet zone may be located along the downstream half of the support segment.

Throughout this description, if it is indicated that the air inlet zone is located or can be located along a certain component of the aerosol-generating article, then this means that the air inlet zone is located on that portion of the wrapper that lies on top of such component of the aerosol-generating article. For example, if the air inlet zone is located along the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate, then this means that the air inlet zone is located on that portion of the wrapper that lies on top of the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate.

The term "upstream half" refers to the area or portion of an element between the upstream end of the element and the middle of the element. The term "downstream half" refers to the area or portion of an element between the upstream end of the element and the middle of the element.

The aerosol-generating article may be equipped with additional air inlet zones, in addition to the first air inlet zone, to provide additional functionality. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a second air inlet zone located on the wrapper. Such a second air inlet zone may be designed to provide ventilation of the aerosol-generating article during use inside the device as a ventilation zone, while the first air inlet zone serves as an air inlet zone into the article. In addition, air inlet zones may be provided to provide additional ventilation of the article during normal and compatible use.

The second air inlet zone may be located in a (second) position along the aerosol generating article.

The second air inlet zone may be located on the wrapper at a location downstream of the first air inlet zone. The second air inlet zone may be provided at a location along the same component of the aerosol-generating article as the first air inlet zone. For example, if the first air inlet zone is provided along a rod of the aerosol-forming substrate, then the second air inlet zone may be provided along this rod of the aerosol-forming substrate at a location downstream of the first air inlet zone.

The second air inlet zone may be located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located downstream of the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located along the filter or the downstream section of the aerosol-generating article. The second air inlet zone may be located along the hollow tubular segment. The second air inlet zone may be located along the support segment.

The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 1 mm downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. In other words, the second air inlet zone may be located at least 1 mm downstream of the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 2 mm downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 3 mm downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 8 mm or less downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 7 mm or less downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 6 mm or less downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 1 mm to about 8 mm downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 7 mm downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 6 mm downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 3 mm to about 6 mm downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 1 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment. The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 2 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment. The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 3 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment.

The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 8 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment. The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 7 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment. The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 6 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment.

The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 1 mm to about 8 mm downstream of the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 7 mm downstream of the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 6 mm downstream of the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 3 mm to about 6 mm downstream of the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment.

The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 1 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the support segment. The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 2 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the support segment. The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 3 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the support segment.

The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 8 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the support segment. The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 7 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the support segment. The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 6 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the support segment.

The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 1 mm to about 8 mm downstream of the upstream end of the support segment. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 7 mm downstream of the upstream end of the support segment. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 6 mm downstream of the upstream end of the support segment. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 3 mm to about 6 mm downstream of the upstream end of the support segment.

As described above, the second air inlet zone can be located along the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone can be located at least approximately 3.5 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone can be located at least approximately 4 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone can be located at least approximately 6.5 mm downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 20 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 16 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 12 mm or less downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 3.5 mm to about 20 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 4 mm to about 16 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 6.5 mm to about 12 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 1.5 mm downstream of the first air inlet zone. The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 2 mm downstream of the first air inlet zone. The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 3 mm downstream of the first air inlet zone.

The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 10 mm downstream of the first air inlet zone. The second air inlet zone may be located at least approximately 12 mm downstream of the first air inlet zone. In such embodiments, the second air inlet zone may be located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 20 mm or less downstream of the first air inlet zone. The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 18 mm or less downstream of the first air inlet zone. The second air inlet zone may be located approximately 16 mm or less downstream of the first air inlet zone.

The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 1.5 mm to about 20 mm downstream of the first air inlet zone. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 2 mm to about 18 mm downstream of the first air inlet zone. The second air inlet zone may be located at a distance of about 3 mm to about 16 mm downstream of the first air inlet zone.

The second air inlet zone may be located along the upstream half of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located along the downstream half of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air inlet zone may be located along the upstream half of the hollow tubular segment. The second air inlet zone may be located along the upstream half of the support segment. The second air inlet zone may be located along the downstream half of the hollow tubular segment. The second air inlet zone may be located along the downstream half of the support segment.

The air inlet zone may comprise one or more rows of holes or punctures passing through the wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. The holes or punctures of the air inlet zone may pass through a filter or a downstream section of the aerosol-generating article. The holes or punctures of the air inlet zone may pass through a peripheral wall of a hollow tubular segment of the article. The holes or punctures of the air inlet zone may pass through a peripheral wall of a support segment of the article, in particular if the support segment is hollow.

The air inlet zone may contain only one row of holes or punctures. The row of holes or punctures may contain from 8 to 30 holes or punctures. The row of holes or punctures may contain from 10 to 20 holes or punctures. The air inlet zone may surround the aerosol-generating article. The air inlet zone may surround the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate. The air inlet zone may surround the hollow tubular segment. The air inlet zone may surround the support segment.

The punctures of the air inlet zone may be of the same size. Alternatively, the punctures may vary in size. By varying the number and size of the punctures, it is possible to regulate the amount of outside air entering the hollow tubular segment when the consumer puffs on the mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating article during use. In particular, it is advantageous to be able to regulate the ventilation level or the air inlet level in the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the punctures are round.

The air inlet holes may be made using any suitable technology, such as laser technology, mechanical perforation of the hollow tubular segment or support segment as part of the aerosol-generating article, or pre-perforation of the hollow tubular segment or support segment before combining them with other elements to form the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the holes are made using in-line laser perforation.

In addition, the inventors of the present invention have found that in the aerosol generating articles of the present invention, the cooling and dilution caused by the entry of ventilation air at a location along the path formed by the above-described hollow tubular segment have an unexpected reducing effect on the generation and delivery of phenol-containing compounds.

The air inlet or ventilation zone may comprise one or more rows of punctures passing through the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment. As described above, the second air inlet zone may be a ventilation zone. Preferably, the ventilation zone comprises only one row of punctures. It is clear that this provides the advantage that, due to the concentration of the cooling effect caused by the ventilation within a short part of the cavity formed by the hollow tubular segment, it is possible to further improve the nucleation of the aerosol. This is due to the fact that a more rapid and sharp cooling of the flow of evaporated compounds is believed to particularly promote the formation of new nuclei of aerosol particles.

Preferably, said one or more rows of punctures are located along the circumference of the wall of the hollow tube. If the ventilation zone comprises two or more rows of punctures passing through the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment, then these rows are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction along the hollow tubular segment.

The radius of the punctures or air inlet holes may be at least about 0.05 mm. The radius of the punctures or air inlet holes may be at least about 0.06 mm. The radius of the punctures or air inlet holes may be at least about 0.1 mm. The radius of the air inlet punctures may be from about 0.06 mm to about 0.1 mm.

The equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation or air inlet holes is preferably at least about 100 micrometers. Preferably, the equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation holes is at least about 150 micrometers. Even more preferably, the equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation holes is at least about 200 micrometers. Additionally or alternatively, the equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation holes is preferably less than about 500 micrometers. More preferably, the equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation holes is less than about 450 micrometers. Even more preferably, the equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation holes is less than about 400 micrometers. The term "equivalent diameter" is used herein to denote the diameter of a circle having the same surface area as the cross-section of the ventilation hole. The cross-section of the ventilation holes may have any suitable shape. However, round punctures are preferred.

The ventilation or air inlet holes may be of the same size. Alternatively, the ventilation holes may vary in size. By varying the number and size of the ventilation holes, it is possible to regulate the amount of outside air entering the hollow tubular segment when the consumer puffs on the mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating product during use. In particular, this provides the advantage of being able to regulate the ventilation level of the aerosol-generating product.

The air inlet zone may comprise a substantially porous section of the wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. Such a porous section may be formed in a sealed or airtight wrapper of the aerosol-generating article, or it may be formed by another material forming a section of the wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. Such a porous section may be formed by a porous structure formed in the wrapper. Such a porous section may form a first or second air inlet zone. Thus, the first or second air inlet zone may have the porosity characteristics of such a porous section.

Such a porous region of the wrapper may have a relatively high porosity compared to the rest of the region of the wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. The porosity of such a porous region may be at least about 3,000 Coresta units (CU). The porosity of such a porous region may be at least about 5,000 Coresta units (CU). The porosity of such a porous region may be less than about 25,000 Coresta units (CU). The porosity of such a porous region may be less than about 20,000 Coresta units (CU). The porosity of such a porous region may be from about 3,000 CU to about 25,000 CU. The porosity of such a porous region may be from about 5,000 CU to about 20,000 CU.

The width of the air inlet zone (the first, second or any other air inlet zone) may be at least about 1 mm. The width of the air inlet zone may be at least about 3 mm. The width of the air inlet zone may be at least about 5 mm. The "width" of the air inlet zone refers to the size of the air inlet zone in the axial or longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article. This "width" of the air inlet zone may be called the "length" of the air inlet zone.

The width of the first air inlet zone may be greater than the width of the second air inlet zone. This ensures that the first air inlet zone is capable of performing the function of the main air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article when it is placed in a compatible aerosol-generating device, while the second or subsequent air inlet zones are capable of performing the function of auxiliary air inlet zones or ventilation zones.

Such a relatively wide air inlet zone may be formed from a porous portion of the wrapper having a relatively high porosity (as described above), a plurality of puncture lines, or a single line of relatively wide punctures.

By providing a wide air inlet zone, such as the first air inlet zone, it is ensured that a larger surface area of the first air inlet zone overlaps or aligns with the outlet of the air flow channel of the aerosol-generating device. Thus, it is guaranteed to provide fluid communication between the area outside the aerosol-generating device and the interior of the aerosol-generating article placed in the device, so that the consumer is provided with the possibility of consuming the article in a suitable manner. The presence of a relatively wide air inlet zone makes it possible to cover any manufacturing errors in the air inlet zone that may affect the alignment of the outlet of the air flow channel of the device and the air inlet zone.

The air inlet zone may completely or partially surround the aerosol-generating article. The air inlet zone may be located around the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first air inlet zone and a second air inlet zone located along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first air inlet zone located along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate and a second air inlet zone located further downstream relative to the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first air inlet zone located along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate and a second air inlet zone located along the hollow tubular segment. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first air inlet zone located along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate and a second air inlet zone located along the support segment.

Each air inlet zone may provide or allow a certain level of air inlet into the interior of the aerosol-generating article. The air inlet level may refer to the amount of fluid that is capable of entering through the air inlet zone to enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article. The air inlet level may indicate the volume of air, expressed in cubic millimeters, that can enter through the air inlet zone during a period of time expressed in seconds. The air inlet level may be expressed as a mass flow rate in grams or kilograms per second or as a volume flow rate in milliliters or liters per second.

The level of air intake into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air intake zone can be set so that it is higher than the level of air intake into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone. This is intended to ensure that a suitable amount of air flows through the first air intake zone during use, when the aerosol-generating article is placed inside the aerosol-generating device, so that it serves as the main air intake zone for the article, while the second intake zone can provide ventilation of the article.

The air inlet level through the air inlet zone can be defined as a volumetric flow rate. The air inlet level, i.e. the volumetric flow rate, into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone can be at least approximately 10 percent higher than the air inlet level (volume flow rate) into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone. The air inlet level, i.e. the volumetric flow rate, into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone can be at least approximately 20 percent higher than the air inlet level (volume flow rate) into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone. The air inlet level, i.e. the volumetric flow rate, into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone can be at least approximately 30 percent higher than the air inlet level (volume flow rate) into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone.

The air inlet level, i.e. the volume flow rate, into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone may be less than approximately 300 percent higher than the air inlet level (volume flow rate) into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone. The air inlet level, i.e. the volume flow rate, into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone may be less than approximately 200 percent higher than the air inlet level (volume flow rate) into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone. The air inlet level, i.e. the volume flow rate, into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone may be less than approximately 100 percent higher than the air inlet level (volume flow rate) into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone. The air inlet level, i.e. the volume flow rate, into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone may be less than approximately 90 percent higher than the air inlet level (volume flow rate) into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone. The air inlet level, i.e. the volume flow rate, into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone may be less than approximately 75 percent higher than the air inlet level (volume flow rate) into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone. The air inlet level, i.e. the volume flow rate, into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone may be less than approximately 60 percent higher than the air inlet level (volume flow rate) into the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone.

From a certain volume of air supplied to the aerosol-generating device through the air flow channel or a plurality of air flow channels during a period of time, a first portion of said air inlet volume may be supplied to the inner region of the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone, and a second portion of said air inlet volume may be supplied to the inner region of the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone. Let, for example, a volume V of air be supplied to the aerosol-generating device during a period of time T; then the first portion of the volume V, expressed as a percentage of V, may be supplied to the inner region of the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone, and the second portion of the volume V may be supplied to the inner region of the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone.

With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, at least about 50 percent of this total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air intake zone. With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, at least about 55 percent of this total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air intake zone. With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, at least about 60 percent of this total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air intake zone. With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, at least about 70 percent of this total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air intake zone. With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol generating device over a period of time, at least approximately 75 percent of that total volume may be supplied to the interior of the aerosol generating article through the first air intake zone.

With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, approximately 50 percent or less of this total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone. With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, approximately 45 percent or less of this total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone. With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, approximately 40 percent or less of this total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone. With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, approximately 30 percent or less of this total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone. With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol generating device over a period of time, approximately 25 percent or less of that total volume may be introduced into the interior of the aerosol generating article through the second air intake zone.

With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, approximately 50 percent of that total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air intake zone, and approximately 50 percent of that total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone.

With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, approximately 55 percent of that total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air intake zone, and approximately 45 percent of that total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone.

With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, approximately 60 percent of that total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air intake zone, and approximately 40 percent of that total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone.

With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, approximately 70 percent of that total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air intake zone, and approximately 30 percent of that total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone.

With respect to the total volume of air intake entering the aerosol-generating device over a period of time, approximately 75 percent of that total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the first air intake zone, and approximately 25 percent of that total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone.

Similarly, a certain volume flow rate may occur through an air flow channel or a plurality of air flow channels of the aerosol-generating device before the air exits the air flow channel in the direction of the aerosol-generating article. Of this inlet volume flow rate (or the volume flow rate in the air flow channel occurring in the air flow channel before the outlet openings), a first portion of this inlet volume flow rate may occur through a first air inlet zone, and a second portion of this inlet volume flow rate may occur through a second air inlet zone. Let, for example, a volume flow rate VF occur through the air flow channel; then the first portion of VF, expressed as a percentage of VF, may occur through the first air inlet zone, and the second portion of VF may occur through the second air inlet zone.

With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow path of the aerosol generating device, at least about 50 percent of this inlet volume flow rate may occur through the first air inlet zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow path of the aerosol generating device, at least about 55 percent of this inlet volume flow rate may occur through the first air inlet zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow path of the aerosol generating device, at least about 60 percent of this inlet volume flow rate may occur through the first air inlet zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow path of the aerosol generating device, at least about 70 percent of this inlet volume flow rate may occur through the first air inlet zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, at least approximately 75 percent of the inlet volume flow rate may occur through the first air inlet zone.

With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow path of the aerosol generating device, approximately 50 percent or less of this inlet volume flow rate may occur through the second air inlet zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow path of the aerosol generating device, approximately 45 percent or less of this inlet volume flow rate may occur through the second air inlet zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow path of the aerosol generating device, approximately 40 percent or less of this inlet volume flow rate may occur through the second air inlet zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow path of the aerosol generating device, approximately 30 percent or less of this inlet volume flow rate may occur through the second air inlet zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 25 percent or less of that inlet volume flow rate may occur through the second air inlet zone.

With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 50 percent of the inlet volume flow rate may occur through the first air inlet zone, and approximately 50 percent of the inlet volume flow rate may occur through the second air inlet zone.

With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 55 percent of that inlet volume flow rate may occur through the first air inlet zone, and approximately 45 percent of that inlet volume flow rate may occur through the second air inlet zone.

With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 60 percent of that inlet volume flow rate may occur through the first air inlet zone, and approximately 40 percent of that inlet volume flow rate may occur through the second air inlet zone.

With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 70 percent of that inlet volume flow rate may occur through the first air inlet zone, and approximately 30 percent of that inlet volume flow rate may occur through the second air inlet zone.

With respect to the inlet volume flow rate occurring through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 75 percent of that inlet volume flow rate may occur through the first air inlet zone, and approximately 25 percent of that inlet volume flow rate may occur through the second air inlet zone.

The term "ventilation level" may be used throughout this specification to refer to the volumetric ratio between the air flow entering the aerosol-generating article through the air inlet zone (incoming air flow) and the air flow exiting the aerosol-generating article through the mouth end or downstream end. The higher the ventilation level, the greater the dilution of the aerosol flow delivered to the consumer. The ventilation level is measured on the aerosol-generating article itself, i.e., without inserting the aerosol-generating article into a suitable aerosol-generating device designed to heat the aerosol-forming substrate.

The ventilation level provided by the first air inlet zone can be measured by closing all other air inlet zones, if any, and drawing air from the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article in such a way that air is allowed to flow through the front end or the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and the first air inlet zone into the aerosol-generating article. The ventilation level provided by the first air inlet zone can be defined as the ratio between the air flow rate (air stream) entering the aerosol-generating article through the first air inlet zone and the air flow rate exiting the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end.

The ventilation level provided by the second air inlet zone can be measured by closing all other air inlet zones, if any, and drawing air from the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article in such a way that air is allowed to flow through the front end or the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and the second air inlet zone into the aerosol-generating article. The ventilation level provided by the second air inlet zone can be defined as the ratio between the air flow rate (air stream) entering the aerosol-generating article through the second air inlet zone and the air flow rate exiting the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end.

The overall ventilation rate of an aerosol-generating article may be measured without blocking any air inlet zones present in the aerosol-generating article, by drawing air from the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article in such a way that air is allowed to flow through the front end or upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and the air inlet zones into the aerosol-generating article. The overall ventilation rate of the aerosol-generating article may be determined as the ratio between the sum of the air flow rates entering the aerosol-generating article through each of the air inlet zones and the air flow rate leaving the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end.

The ventilation level provided for the aerosol-generating article by the first air inlet zone may be at least about 10 percent. The ventilation level provided by the first air inlet zone may be at least about 20 percent. The ventilation level provided by the first air inlet zone may be at least about 25 percent. The ventilation level provided by the first air inlet zone may be at least about 50 percent. The ventilation level provided by the first air inlet zone may be at least about 75 percent.

The ventilation level provided for the aerosol-generating article by the second air inlet zone may be at least about 10 percent. The ventilation level provided by the second air inlet zone may be at least about 20 percent. The ventilation level provided by the second air inlet zone may be at least about 25 percent. The ventilation level provided by the second air inlet zone may be at least about 50 percent. The ventilation level provided by the second air inlet zone may be at least about 75 percent.

The ventilation level provided by the first air intake zone or the second air intake zone may be approximately 75 percent or less. The ventilation level provided by the first air intake zone or the second air intake zone may be approximately 60 percent or less. The ventilation level provided by the first air intake zone or the second air intake zone may be approximately 50 percent or less.

The ventilation level provided by the first air intake zone or the second air intake zone may be from about 10 percent to about 75 percent. The ventilation level provided by the first air intake zone or the second air intake zone may be from about 30 percent to about 60 percent.

The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may typically be at least about 10 percent, preferably at least about 20 percent.

The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be at least about 20 percent, or about 25 percent, or about 30 percent. The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be at least about 35 percent. The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be less than about 60 percent. The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be less than about 50 percent or less than about 40 percent. The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be from about 25 percent to about 60 percent.

The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be from about 10 percent to about 90 percent. The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be from about 20 percent to about 80 percent. The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be from about 25 percent to about 60 percent. The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be from about 30 percent to about 50 percent. The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be from about 30 percent to about 40 percent.

The overall ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be from about 28 percent to about 42 percent. The ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article may be about 35 percent. The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found that the effect of dilution on the aerosol, which can be assessed by measuring, in particular the effect on the delivery of glycerol incorporated in the aerosol-forming substrate as an aerosol forming substance, is successfully minimized when the ventilation level is from about 30 percent to about 50 percent. In particular, it has been found that ventilation levels from about 35 percent to about 42 percent lead to particularly satisfactory values of the glycerol delivery. At the same time, the degree of nucleation is increased and, therefore, the delivery of nicotine and an aerosol forming substance (e.g., glycerol) is improved.

The first air inlet zone may function as the first or main air inlet zone, and the second air inlet zone may function as the ventilation zone of the aerosol-generating article. This is due to the fact that the first air inlet zone will act as the first air inlet point when the aerosol-generating article is located inside the cavity of the device, and it can be designed with the ability to introduce the largest amount of air compared to any other air inlet zones provided on the wrapper of the article.

The first air inlet zone will ensure compatibility between the aerosol-generating article and the aerosol-generating device described above by forming the main air inlet zone of the article, while the second air inlet zone will ensure ventilation of the aerosol-generating article during normal use when the aerosol-generating article is placed inside the device. All air inlet zones may be located inside the cavity of the device or the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device during normal use. This will prevent any air inlet zones from being inadvertently blocked by the user's hand or lips during normal use, which may negatively affect the user's experience due to the inability to ventilate the article as well.

There are benefits to providing ventilation to the aerosol generating article during normal use. Without being bound by theory, it has been found that the temperature difference caused by admitting cooler outside air into the hollow tubular segment through the ventilation zone can have a beneficial effect on the nucleation and growth of aerosol particles.

In this process, which may be further complicated by droplet coalescence phenomena, temperature and cooling rate may play an important role in determining the response of the system. In general, different cooling rates may result in significantly different behavior over time with respect to liquid phase (droplet) formation, since the nucleation process is typically nonlinear. Without reference to theory, it is assumed that cooling may cause a rapid increase in the number of droplets, followed by a sharp, short-term increase in their growth (nucleation burst). This nucleation burst may be more significant at lower temperatures. It may also be that higher cooling rates may favor an earlier onset of nucleation. Conversely, a decrease in the cooling rate may have a beneficial effect on the final size that the aerosol droplets eventually reach.

Thus, the rapid cooling caused by the admission of outside air into the hollow tubular segment through the ventilation zone can be used to advantage to promote the nucleation and growth of aerosol droplets. However, at the same time, a significant disadvantage of admitting outside air into the hollow tubular segment is the dilution of the aerosol flow delivered to the consumer.

In addition, it has been found that in the aerosol generating articles according to the present invention, the cooling and dilution effect caused by the inlet of ventilation air at a location located along the channel formed by the above-described hollow tubular segment has an unexpected reducing effect on the generation and delivery of phenol-containing compounds.

It is clear that this provides the advantage that, by concentrating the cooling effect caused by ventilation within a short portion of the cavity formed by the hollow tubular segment, a further improvement in aerosol nucleation is possible. This is due to the fact that, as is assumed, a faster and more drastic cooling of the flow of evaporating compounds from the aerosol-forming substrate is particularly favorable for the formation of new aerosol particle nuclei.

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

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate rod has an outer diameter of at least about 4 millimeters (mm). The aerosol-forming substrate rod may have an outer diameter of at least about 5 millimeters. The aerosol-forming 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 6 millimeters to about 8 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate rod has an outer diameter of 7.2 millimeters with an accuracy of 10 percent.

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

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

In preferred embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises one or more collected sheets of homogenized tobacco material. The one or more sheets of homogenized tobacco material may be 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 comprise a plurality of spaced-apart recesses, projections, punctures, or a combination thereof. The rod of the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a collected corrugated sheet of homogenized tobacco material surrounded by a wrapper.

In some preferred embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises homogenized plant material, preferably homogenized tobacco material.

As used herein, the term "homogenized plant material" encompasses any plant material obtained by agglomerating plant particles. For example, sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material for aerosol-forming substrates according to the present invention can be obtained by agglomerating particles of tobacco material obtained by grinding, milling or grinding plant material and, if necessary, tobacco leaf blades and/or tobacco leaf stalks. The homogenized plant material can be obtained by casting, extrusion, papermaking or any other suitable processes known in the art.

The homogenized plant material may be provided in any suitable form. For example, the homogenized plant material may be present in the form of one or more sheets. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "sheet" describes a flat element whose width and length are substantially greater than its thickness.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized plant material may be present in the form of a plurality of beads or granules.

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized plant material may be present in the form of a plurality of strands, strips or pieces. As used herein, the term "strand" describes an elongated element of material whose length substantially exceeds its width and thickness. The term "strand" should be considered to include strips, pieces and any other homogenized plant material having a similar shape. The strands of homogenized plant material may be obtained from a sheet of homogenized plant material, such as by cutting or shredding, or by other means, such as an extrusion method.

As used herein, the term "corrugated sheet" is intended to be used as a synonym for the term "creped sheet" and denotes a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel folds or corrugations. Preferably, the corrugated sheet of homogenized tobacco material comprises 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 gathering of the corrugated sheet of homogenized tobacco material to form the 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 cylindrical axis of the rod. In some embodiments, the sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in the rod of the article according to 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 according to 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 basis, more preferably at least about 60 percent by weight on a dry basis, more preferably at least about 70 percent by weight on a dry basis, and most preferably at least about 90 percent by weight on a dry basis.

Sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more internal binders, i.e., endogenous tobacco binders, one or more external binders, i.e., exogenous tobacco binders, or a combination thereof to promote agglomeration of bulk tobacco. Alternatively or additionally, sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives, including, but not limited to, tobacco and non-tobacco fibers, aerosol forming agents, humectants, plasticizers, flavoring agents, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof.

The homogenized plant or tobacco material comprises tobacco particles or tobacco material in combination with flavor particles of plants other than tobacco. The flavor particles of plants other than tobacco may be selected from one or more of ginger particles, rosemary particles, eucalyptus particles, anise particles, and star anise particles.

Suitable external binders for inclusion in sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol-forming substrate are known in the art and include, without limitation: gums, such as, for example, guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic and locust bean gum; cellulosic binders, such as, for example, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose; polysaccharides, such as, for example, starches, organic acids, such as alginic acid, salts of conjugate bases of organic acids, such as sodium alginate, agar and pectins; and combinations thereof.

Suitable non-tobacco fibers for incorporation into sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol-forming substrate are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: cellulose fibers; softwood fibers; hardwood fibers; jute fibers; and combinations thereof. Prior to incorporation into sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol-forming substrate, the non-tobacco fibers may be subjected to suitable treatments known in the art, including, but not limited to: mechanical pulping; cleaning; chemical pulping; bleaching; sulphate pulping; and combinations thereof.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gel composition that comprises an alkaloid compound and/or a cannabinoid compound. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gel composition that comprises nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gel composition that does not contain nicotine.

Preferably, the gel composition comprises an alkaloid compound and/or a cannabinoid compound; an aerosol forming agent; and at least one gelling agent. Preferably, said at least one gelling agent forms a solid medium, and glycerol is dispersed in said solid medium, wherein the alkaloid or cannabinoid is dispersed in glycerol. Preferably, the gel composition is a stable gel phase.

As an advantage, the stable gel composition containing nicotine provides a predictable shape of the composition during storage or transportation from the place of manufacture to the consumer. The stable gel composition containing nicotine substantially maintains its shape. The stable gel composition containing nicotine substantially does not release a liquid phase during storage or transportation from the place of manufacture to the consumer. The stable gel composition containing nicotine can provide a simple design of the consumable part. This consumable part does not necessarily have to be designed with the expectation of containing liquid, and thus it is possible to consider a wider range of materials and designs for the container.

The gel composition described herein may be combined with an aerosol generating device for delivering nicotine aerosol to the lungs at inhalation or air flow rates that do not exceed inhalation or air flow rates in a typical smoking mode. The aerosol generating device may continuously heat the gel composition. The consumer may take multiple inhalations or "puffs," with each "puff" delivering a certain amount of nicotine aerosol. The gel composition may be capable of delivering a high nicotine/low total particulate matter (TPM) aerosol to the consumer upon heating, preferably in a continuous manner.

The term "stable gel phase" or "stable gel" refers to a gel that substantially maintains its shape and mass when exposed to various environmental conditions. A stable gel may substantially not release (moisture) or absorb water when exposed to standard temperature and pressure when changing relative humidity from about 10 percent to about 60 percent. For example, a stable gel may substantially maintain its shape and mass when exposed to standard temperature and pressure when changing relative humidity from about 10 percent to about 60 percent.

The gel composition comprises an alkaloid compound and/or a cannabinoid compound. The gel composition may comprise one or more alkaloids. The gel composition may comprise one or more cannabinoids. The gel composition may comprise a combination of one or more alkaloids and one or more cannabinoids.

The term "alkaloid compound" refers to any of a class of naturally occurring organic compounds that contain one or more basic nitrogen atoms. Typically, an alkaloid contains at least one nitrogen atom in an amine-type structure. This or another nitrogen atom in the alkaloid compound molecule can be active as a base in acid-base reactions. Most alkaloid compounds have one or more nitrogen atoms as part of a cyclic system, such as a heterocyclic ring. In nature, alkaloid compounds are found primarily in plants, and they are especially common in certain families of flowering plants. However, some alkaloid compounds are found in certain animal and fungal species. In the present disclosure, the term "alkaloid compound" refers to both naturally occurring alkaloid compounds and synthetically produced alkaloid compounds.

The gel composition may preferably contain an alkaloid compound selected from the group consisting of nicotine, anatabine and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the gel composition contains nicotine.

The term "nicotine" refers to nicotine and nicotine derivatives such as pure nicotine, nicotine salts, and the like.

The term "cannabinoid compound" refers to any of a class of naturally occurring compounds found in parts of the cannabis plant, namely the species Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabinoid compounds are particularly concentrated in the female flower heads. Cannabinoid compounds naturally occurring in the cannabis plant include cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As used herein, the term "cannabinoid compounds" is used to describe both naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds and synthetically produced cannabinoid compounds.

The gel may contain a cannabinoid compound selected from the group consisting of cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabicitran (CBT) and combinations thereof.

The gel composition may preferably comprise a cannabinoid compound selected from the group consisting of cannabidiol (CBD), THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and combinations thereof.

The gel may preferably contain cannabidiol (CBD).

The gel composition may contain nicotine and cannabidiol (CBD).

The gel composition may contain nicotine, cannabidiol (CBD) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

The gel composition preferably comprises an aerosol former. Ideally, the aerosol former is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the corresponding aerosol generating device. Suitable aerosol formers include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerol; esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. The polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof may be one or more of the following: triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerol (glycerol or propane-1,2,3-triol) or polyethylene glycol. The aerosol former is preferably glycerol.

Preferably, in those embodiments in which the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate comprises the gel composition described above, the downstream section of the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol cooling element having a length of less than 10 millimeters. It has been found that the use of a relatively short aerosol cooling element in combination with the gel composition optimizes the delivery of the aerosol to the consumer.

Embodiments of the present invention in which the aerosol-forming substrate rod comprises the gel composition described above preferably comprise an upstream element (or an upstream section) located upstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. In this case, the upstream element or section provides the advantage of preventing physical contact with the gel composition. The upstream element or section also provides the advantage of compensating for any potential decrease in RTD, such as due to evaporation of the gel composition when the aerosol-forming substrate rod is heated during use.

The sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material may contain an aerosol forming agent. As used herein, the term "aerosol forming agent" describes any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, when used, facilitates the formation of an aerosol and that 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; esters of polyhydric alcohols 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 forming agents are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and, most preferably, glycerol.

The sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material may comprise a single aerosol forming substance. Alternatively, the sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material may comprise a combination of two or more aerosol forming substances.

The sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material have an aerosol forming substance content of greater than 10 percent on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material have an aerosol forming substance 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 substance 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 substance content of greater than 16 percent on a dry weight basis.

The sheets of homogenized tobacco material may have an aerosol forming substance 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 substance 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 substance content of approximately 20 percent on a dry weight basis.

Sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco for use in the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention can be produced by methods known in the art, for example by the methods disclosed in the international patent application WO-A-2012/164009 A2. In a preferred embodiment, sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in the aerosol-generating article are made from a suspension containing loose tobacco, guar gum, cellulose fibers and glycerol, using a casting process.

Alternative arrangements of homogenized tobacco material in a rod for use in an aerosol-generating article are known to those skilled in the art and may include a plurality of stacked sheets of homogenized tobacco material, a plurality of elongated tubular elements obtained by winding strips of homogenized tobacco material around their longitudinal axes, etc.

As a further alternative, the aerosol-forming substrate rod may comprise a nicotine-bearing material on a non-tobacco base, such as a sheet of a sorbent non-tobacco material loaded with nicotine (e.g. in the form of a nicotine salt) and an aerosol forming substance. Examples of such rods are described in international application WO-A-2015/082652. Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate rod may comprise a non-tobacco plant material, such as an aromatic non-tobacco plant material.

The aerosol-forming substrate is surrounded by a wrapper. The wrapper may be made of a porous or non-porous sheet material. The wrapper may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials. Preferably, the wrapper is a paper wrapper.

The mouthpiece segment comprises a plug of filter material configured to remove particulate components, gaseous components, or a combination thereof. Suitable filter materials are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: fibrous filter materials such as, for example, cellulose acetate plug; viscose fibers, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) fibers, polylactic acid (PLA) fibers, and paper; adsorbents such as, for example, activated alumina, zeolites, molecular sieves, and silica gel; and combinations thereof. Additionally, the plug of filter material may also comprise one or more aerosol modifying agents. Suitable aerosol modifying agents are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, flavoring agents such as, for example, menthol. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece segment may further comprise a recess at the mouthpiece end downstream of the plug of filter material. For example, the mouthpiece segment may comprise a hollow tube aligned longitudinally with a plug of filter material located downstream of the hollow tube immediately after the hollow tube, wherein the hollow tube forms a cavity at the mouthpiece end that is open to the outside environment at the downstream end of the mouthpiece segment and the aerosol generating article.

The length of the mouthpiece segment is preferably at least about 4 millimeters, more preferably at least about 6 millimeters, even more preferably at least about 8 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the mouthpiece segment is preferably less than 25 millimeters, more preferably less than 20 millimeters, even more preferably less than 15 millimeters. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the mouthpiece segment is from about 4 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, more preferably from about 6 millimeters to about 20 millimeters. The length of the mouthpiece segment may be about 7 millimeters. The length of the mouthpiece segment may be about 12 millimeters.

The length of the hollow tubular segment is preferably at least about 10 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 15 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the hollow tubular segment is preferably less than about 30 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the hollow tubular segment is less than about 25 millimeters. Even more preferably, the length of the hollow tubular segment is less than about 20 millimeters. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular segment is from about 10 millimeters to about 30 millimeters, more preferably from about 12 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, even more preferably from about 15 millimeters to about 20 millimeters. For example, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the length of the hollow tubular segment is about 18 millimeters. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the length of the hollow tubular segment is approximately 13 millimeters.

The length of the aerosol cooling element is preferably at least about 10 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the aerosol cooling element is at least about 15 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the aerosol cooling element is preferably less than about 30 millimeters. More preferably, the length of the aerosol cooling element is less than about 25 millimeters. Even more preferably, the length of the aerosol cooling element is less than about 20 millimeters. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the aerosol cooling element is from about 10 millimeters to about 30 millimeters, more preferably from about 12 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, even more preferably from about 15 millimeters to about 20 millimeters. For example, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the length of the aerosol cooling element is about 18 millimeters. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the length of the aerosol cooling element is about 13 millimeters.

The overall length of the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention is preferably at least about 40 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention is preferably less than about 70 millimeters, more preferably less than 60 millimeters, even more preferably less than 50 millimeters. In preferred embodiments, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article is from about 40 millimeters to about 70 millimeters. In an exemplary embodiment, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article is about 45 millimeters.

The support element (or support segment) may have a length of from about 5 millimeters to about 15 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the support element has a length of about 8 millimeters.

The aerosol-generating article preferably has a total RTD of less than about 90 millimeters of water column (about 900 Pa). More preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a total RTD of less than about 80 millimeters of water column (about 800 Pa). Even more preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a total RTD of less than about 70 millimeters of water column (about 700 Pa).

Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol-generating article preferably has a total RTD of at least about 30 millimeters of water column (about 300 Pa). More preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a total RTD of at least about 40 millimeters of water column (about 400 Pa). Even more preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a total RTD of at least about 50 millimeters of water column (about 500 Pa).

The RTD of an aerosol-generating device can be defined as the negative pressure that must be applied, under the test conditions specified in ISO 3402, to the downstream end of the mouthpiece to maintain a uniform volumetric air flow of 17.5 ml/s through the mouthpiece. The RTD values listed above are for measurement on the aerosol-generating device itself (i.e. before insertion of the device into the aerosol-generating device), without blocking the ventilation zone punctures.

As used herein, the term "homogenized tobacco material" encompasses any tobacco material obtained by agglomerating particles of tobacco material. Sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material are obtained by agglomerating bulk tobacco obtained by grinding or otherwise processing into powder one or both of the lamellae of tobacco leaves and the stalks of tobacco leaves. In addition, the homogenized tobacco material may contain a minor amount of one or more of tobacco dust, tobacco fines and other by-products in the form of bulk tobacco generated during the processing, handling and shipping of tobacco. Sheets of homogenized tobacco material may be produced by molding, extrusion, papermaking or any other suitable methods known in the art.

The support member may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the support member may be made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: acetyl cellulose; cardboard; corrugated paper, such as corrugated heat-resistant paper or corrugated parchment paper; and polymeric materials, such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In a preferred embodiment, the support member is made of acetyl cellulose.

The aerosol generating device may comprise an extractor for extracting an aerosol generating article placed in the aerosol generating device, wherein the extractor is designed with the possibility of movement within the cavity of the device.

The extractor may be configured to open an air flow channel when the extractor is in an operating position, wherein the operating position is determined by a heater in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

The extractor comprises a receiving body configured to receive an aerosol-generating article. The extractor receiving body (extractor body) may comprise an end wall and a peripheral wall. The extractor receiving body comprises an open end, which is opposite the end wall and through which the aerosol-generating article can be received. The aerosol-generating article is configured to rest against the end wall when placed inside the extractor body. The peripheral wall of the receiving body may surround the aerosol-generating article when placed inside the extractor. In those embodiments where the extractor is present, the peripheral wall of the extractor body may form a channel for the air flow. Alternatively, the channel for the air flow may be formed by the peripheral wall of the device casing.

The size of the extractor may be such that in the working position the receiving body extends between the first end of the air flow channel and the far end of the cavity of the device. This provides the possibility of directly opening the aerosol-generating article into the air flow channel without the extractor body blocking the fluid communication between the air flow channel and the aerosol-generating article.

The size of the extractor can be such that in the working position the receiving body extends between the mouth end of the cavity of the device and the distal end of the cavity of the device. In such embodiments, the extractor body can have a cutout or a plurality of cutouts to ensure the possibility of opening the air flow channel into the aerosol-generating article when it is inserted. The extractor body and the cavity of the device together can be designed with the possibility of ensuring the alignment, during use, of said cutout or plurality of cutouts with the air flow channel or the plurality of air flow channels. For example, the extractor body can comprise a protrusion designed with the possibility of interaction with a groove or a groove located in the casing of the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol generating device may comprise an elongated heater configured to be inserted into the aerosol generating article when this aerosol generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device. The elongated heater may be located inside the cavity of the device. The elongated heater may extend into the cavity of the device. Alternative heating structures are further described below. However, in those embodiments in which the heater extends into the cavity of the device, the extractor body comprises an opening in the end wall to allow the heater to pass into the aerosol generating article. Such an opening allows air to enter the inner region of the extractor cavity, so that air can flow through the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol generating article during use. Alternatively, additional openings may be provided to allow air to enter the inner region of the extractor cavity.

In some embodiments, the length of the extractor body may be less than the length of the cavity of the device. In such embodiments, when the extractor is in the working position (when the extractor rests against the far end of the cavity of the device), the air flow channel may be formed by a section of the peripheral wall of the casing of the device that does not surround the extractor. Such a section of the peripheral wall may form an air flow channel when the extractor is in the working position. In essence, said section of the peripheral wall of the casing of the device may extend longitudinally beyond the extractor, forming an air flow channel. The space or gap between the aerosol-generating article and the peripheral wall of the casing of the device forms an air flow channel.

In those embodiments where an extractor is provided, the air flow channel can be formed between the peripheral wall of the casing of the aerosol generating device and the outer surface of the extractor. Alternatively, the air flow channel can be formed inside the extractor housing. The air flow channel can be formed in the peripheral wall of the extractor housing. The air flow channel can be formed within the thickness of the peripheral wall of the extractor housing. The air flow channel can extend along the length of the extractor housing. The air flow channel can extend from a location located away from the end wall of the extractor housing in the longitudinal direction to a location located near the open end of the extractor housing in the longitudinal direction or at this end.

In embodiments where an extractor is absent, the air flow channel may be formed within the thickness of the peripheral wall of the casing of the aerosol generating device.

The heater may comprise an elongated heating element configured to penetrate into the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is placed inside the aerosol-generating device.

The heater may be any suitable type of heater. The heater may heat the aerosol-generating article from the inside. Alternatively, the heater may heat the aerosol-generating article from the outside. Such an external heater may surround the aerosol-generating article when it is inserted into or placed within the aerosol-generating device.

In some embodiments, the heater is configured to heat the outer surface of the aerosol-forming substrate. In some embodiments, the heater is configured to be inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-forming substrate is placed inside said cavity. The heater can be located inside said cavity. The heater can extend inside said cavity. The heater can be an elongated heater. The elongated heater can have the shape of a plate. The elongated heater can have the shape of a pin. The elongated heater can have the shape of a cone. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating device comprises an elongated heater configured to be inserted into the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is placed inside the cavity.

The heater may comprise at least one heating element. The at least one heating element may be a heating element of any suitable type. In some embodiments, the device comprises only one heating element. In some embodiments, the device comprises several heating elements. The heater may comprise at least one resistive heating element. Preferably, the heater comprises a plurality of resistive heating elements. Preferably, the resistive heating elements are electrically connected to form a parallel arrangement. As an advantage, providing a plurality of resistive heating elements electrically connected to form a parallel arrangement makes it possible to facilitate the supply of the required electrical power to the heater while reducing or minimizing the voltage required to provide the required electrical power. As an advantage, reducing or minimizing the voltage required to operate the heater makes it possible to facilitate the reduction or minimization of the physical size of the power source.

Suitable materials for making said at least one resistive heating element include, but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-, titanium-, zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, and iron-based alloys, as well as nickel-, iron-, cobalt-, stainless steel-, Timetal®-, and iron-manganese-aluminum-based superalloys.

In some embodiments, said at least one resistive heating element comprises one or more stamped parts made of an electrically resistive material, such as stainless steel. Alternatively, said at least one resistive heating element may comprise a heating wire or filament, such as a Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten or alloy wire.

In some embodiments, said at least one heating element comprises an electrically insulating substrate, and said at least one resistive heating element is provided on said electrically insulating substrate.

The electrically insulating substrate may comprise any suitable material. For example, the electrically insulating substrate may comprise one or more of the following: paper, glass, ceramic, anodized metal, coated metal, and polyimide. Ceramic may comprise mica, aluminum oxide (Al2O3), or zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). Preferably, the electrically insulating substrate has a thermal conductivity of less than or equal to about 40 watts per meter-kelvin, preferably less than or equal to about 20 watts per meter-kelvin, ideally less than or equal to about 2 watts per meter-kelvin.

The heater may comprise a heating element comprising a rigid electrically insulating substrate with one or more conductive paths or wires located on its surface. The size and shape of the electrically insulating provide the possibility of inserting it directly into the aerosol-forming substrate. If the electrically insulating substrate is not rigid enough, the heating element may comprise additional reinforcing means. Current may be passed through said one or more conductive paths to heat the heating element and the aerosol-forming substrate.

In some embodiments, the heater comprises an induction heating structure. The induction heating structure may comprise an induction coil and a power source configured to supply a high-frequency oscillating current to the induction coil. The term "high-frequency oscillating current" as used herein means an oscillating current with a frequency of 500 kHz to 30 MHz. The heater may advantageously comprise a DC-AC converter for converting a DC current supplied by the DC power source into an AC current. The induction coil may be configured to generate a high-frequency oscillating electromagnetic field when receiving the high-frequency oscillating current from the power source. The induction coil may be configured to generate a high-frequency oscillating electromagnetic field in a cavity of the device. In some embodiments, the induction coil may substantially surround the cavity of the device. The induction coil may extend at least partially along the length of the cavity of the device.

The heater may comprise an induction heating element. The induction heating element may be a current collector. The term "current collector" as used herein refers to an element comprising a material that is capable of converting electromagnetic energy into heat. When the current collector is in an alternating electromagnetic field, the current collector heats up. The heating of the current collector may be the result of at least one of hysteresis losses and eddy currents induced in the current collector, depending on the electrical and magnetic properties of the current collector material.

The current-receiving element can be arranged so that when the aerosol-generating article is placed in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device, the oscillating electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil induces a current in the current-receiving element, which leads to heating of the current-receiving element. In these embodiments, the aerosol-generating device is preferably capable of generating a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a magnetic field strength (H-field strength) of 1 to 5 kiloamperes per meter (kA/m), preferably 2 to 3 kA/m, for example approximately 2.5 kA/m. The electric aerosol-generating device is preferably capable of generating a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a frequency of 1 to 30 MHz, for example 1 to 10 MHz, for example 5 to 7 MHz.

In some embodiments, the current-collecting element is located in the aerosol-generating article. In these embodiments, the current-collecting element is preferably located in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate. The current-collecting element may be located in the aerosol-forming substrate.

In some embodiments, the current-receiving element is located in the aerosol-generating device. In these embodiments, the current-receiving element may be located in said cavity. The aerosol-generating device may contain only one current-receiving element. The aerosol-generating device may contain a plurality of current-receiving elements.

In some embodiments, the current-collecting element is designed to heat the outer surface of the aerosol-forming substrate. In some embodiments, the current-collecting element is configured to be inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-forming substrate is positioned within said cavity.

The current collecting element may comprise any suitable material. The current collecting element may be made of any material that is capable of being inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to release volatile compounds from the aerosol-forming substrate. Suitable materials for the elongated current collecting element include graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steels, niobium, aluminum, nickel, nickel compounds, titanium, and composites of metallic materials. Some current collecting elements comprise metal or carbon. As an advantage, the current collecting element may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, such as ferritic iron, a ferromagnetic alloy, such as ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel, ferromagnetic particles, and ferrite. A suitable current collecting element may be made of or comprise aluminum. The current collecting element preferably contains greater than about 5 percent, preferably greater than about 20 percent, more preferably greater than about 50 percent, or greater than about 90 percent of ferromagnetic or paramagnetic materials. Some elongated current collecting elements can be heated to a temperature in excess of about 250 degrees Celsius.

The current-collecting element may comprise a non-metallic core with a metal layer located on the non-metallic core. For example, the current-collecting element may comprise metal tracks formed on the outer surface of a ceramic core or substrate.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device may comprise at least one resistive heating element and at least one inductive heating element. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device may comprise a combination of resistive heating elements and inductive heating elements.

The aerosol generating device may comprise a power source. The power source may be a DC power source. In some embodiments, the power source is a battery. The power source may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, such as a lithium-cobalt, lithium-iron phosphate, or lithium-polymer battery. However, in some embodiments, the power source may be a charge storage device of another type, such as a capacitor. The power source may require recharging, and it may have a capacity that provides the ability to store sufficient energy for one or more user operations, such as one or more aerosol generating sessions. For example, the power source may have a sufficient capacity to provide the ability to continuously heat the aerosol-forming substrate for a period of approximately six minutes, which corresponds to the typical time required to smoke a conventional cigarette, or for a period that is a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power source may have sufficient capacity to enable a specified number of puffs or individual heater activations.

Specific embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an aerosol generating system according to the present invention;

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

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an aerosol generating system according to the present invention; and

Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a comparative example of an aerosol generating system.

Fig. 1 shows an aerosol generating system 100 comprising an aerosol generating device 10 and an aerosol generating article 1. The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a casing 4 extending between a mouthpiece end 2 and a distal end (not shown). The casing 4 comprises a peripheral wall 6. The peripheral wall 6 forms a cavity of the device for accommodating the aerosol generating article 1. The cavity of the device is formed by a closed distal end and an open mouthpiece end. The mouthpiece end of the cavity of the device is located on the mouthpiece end of the aerosol generating device 10. The aerosol generating article 1 is designed to be placed through the mouthpiece end of the cavity of the device and to rest against the closed end of the cavity of the device. The length of the cavity of the device is approximately 25 mm.

An air flow channel 5 is formed inside the peripheral wall 6. The air flow channel 5 passes between the inlet opening 7, located at the mouthpiece end of the aerosol generating device 10, and the outlet opening 9, located at a remote location along the peripheral wall 6.

The aerosol generating device 10 further comprises a heater (not shown) and a power source (not shown) for supplying power to the heater. A controller (not shown) is also provided for controlling such supply of power to the heater. The heater is configured to heat the aerosol generating article 1 during use, when the aerosol generating article 1 is placed inside the device 10.

The aerosol generating article 1 comprises a first air inlet zone 15 and a second air inlet zone 115 located along the wrapper 22.

The first air inlet zone 15 is located approximately 2 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod 12. The first air inlet zone 115 is located approximately 2 mm downstream of the upstream end of the hollow support segment 14 and approximately 2 mm downstream of the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod 12, provided that the aerosol-forming substrate rod 12 and the hollow support segment 14 directly abut each other. Thus, the two air inlet zones 15, 115 are located along and around two different components of the aerosol-generating article 1.

As shown in Fig. 1 and 2, each of the first and second air inlet zones 15, 115 comprises a line of punctures passing around the article 1 through the wrapper 22. The second air inlet zone 115 passes through the peripheral wall of the hollow support segment 14.

When the aerosol-generating article 1 is placed inside the cavity of the device, the outlet opening 9 has a configuration that ensures its alignment with the first air inlet zone 15 or its placement above it. When placed inside the cavity of the device, the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article 1 is positioned with an abutment against the closed end of the cavity of the device, so that air drawn through the aerosol-generating device 10 cannot flow through the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article 1. Air drawn through the aerosol-generating device 10 can enter the aerosol-generating article 1 only through the first and second air inlet zones 15, 115, as shown in Fig. 1.

The air flow channel 5 is formed along the inner surface of the peripheral wall 6. In such embodiments, a section of the air flow channel 5 is designed to be positioned over the first and second air inlet zones 15, 115 of the aerosol-generating article 1. The air flow channel 5 has a length of approximately 23 millimeters. In such an embodiment, shown in Fig. 1, the total length of the air flow channel 5 is set such that it lies over the aerosol-generating article 1 when it is positioned inside the device 10.

Fig. 2 shows an aerosol generating article 1, which is designed for use in the aerosol generating system 100 shown in Fig. 1.

The aerosol-generating article 1 comprises a rod of aerosol-forming substrate 12, a hollow support segment 14, an element (or segment) 16 for cooling the aerosol and a mouthpiece segment 18. The components (in this case the hollow support segment 14, the element 16 for cooling the aerosol and the mouthpiece segment 18) located downstream of the rod of aerosol-forming substrate 12 form a downstream section of the aerosol-generating article 1. These four elements are arranged end to end, aligned in the longitudinal direction and surrounded by a wrapper 22 to form the aerosol-generating article 1. The aerosol-generating article 1 shown in Fig. 1 is particularly suitable for use with an electric aerosol-generating device 1 comprising a heater for heating the rod of aerosol-forming substrate 12.

The aerosol-forming 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 has a substantially circular cross-section. The rod 12 contains an assembled sheet of homogenized tobacco material. The hollow cellulose acetate tube (hollow support segment) 14 has a length of approximately 8 millimeters, and its peripheral wall has a thickness of 1 millimeter.

The mouthpiece segment 18 comprises a plug made of acetyl cellulose tow with a density of 8 denier per fiber and has a length of approximately 7 millimeters. The mouthpiece segment 18 has a diameter of approximately 7 millimeters. The aerosol cooling element 16 has a length of approximately 18 millimeters and a diameter of approximately 7 millimeters.

As described above, the aerosol-generating article 1 comprises a first air inlet zone 15 provided along the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate at a distance of at least approximately 2 millimeters from the upstream end of the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate 12. The first air inlet zone 15 is located at a distance of less than approximately 10 millimeters from the downstream end of the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate 12 or the upstream end of the hollow support segment 14. The first and second air inlet zones 15, 115 surround the aerosol-generating article 1. In other words, the first and second air inlet zones 15, 115 surround the entire periphery of the aerosol-generating article 1.

Fig. 3 shows an aerosol generating system 200 similar to the aerosol generating system 100. The aerosol generating system 200 comprises an aerosol generating device 20 and an aerosol generating article 1, both of which are configured to be used with each other. The aerosol generating device 20 is similar to the aerosol generating device 10, but differs in that the device 20 comprises an air flow channel 205 comprising one inlet opening 7 and two outlet openings 9, 19. The first outlet opening 9 of the air flow channel 205 is configured to provide fluid communication between the area outside the aerosol generating device 20 and the first air inlet zone 15 of the aerosol generating article 1. The second outlet opening 19 of the air flow channel 205 is configured to provide fluid communication between the area outside the aerosol generating device 20 and the second air inlet zone 115 of the aerosol generating article 1. The first outlet opening 9 is configured to be located over the first air inlet zone 15 (or overlap with it) when the article 1 is placed inside the device 20, and the second outlet opening 19 is configured to be located over the second air inlet zone 115 air 115 (or overlapping with it) when placing the product 1 inside the device 20. The gap or distance between the first and second outlet openings 9,19 may be equivalent to the distance between the first and second air inlet zones 15, 115.

As shown in Fig. 1 and 3, the fluid communication between the area outside the aerosol generating devices 10, 20 and the interior area of the aerosol generating article 1 is provided through two different air inlet zones 15, 115. However, the first air inlet zone 15 is configured to provide a greater amount of air to pass through than the second air inlet zone 115. In other words, the first air inlet zone 15 is configured to provide a greater level of air inlet than the second air inlet zone 115.

The first air inlet zone 15 is designed to perform the function of the main air inlet zone of the aerosol-generating article 1 when the article 1 is placed inside the device 10, 20, when the upstream end of the article 1 rests against the far end of the cavity of the device. The second air inlet zone 115 is designed to provide ventilation of the article 1, i.e. to supply ventilation air to the aerosol flowing from the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate 12 through the hollow support segment 14 in the direction of the mouthpiece end of the article 1.

When placed inside the aerosol generating device 10, 20, the upstream open end of the aerosol generating article 1 abuts against the far end of the cavity of the device in order to prevent air from flowing through the upstream end of the aerosol generating article 1. Consequently, it is possible that during use, the main part of the air flowing through the air flow channel 5, 205 flows through the first air inlet zone 15 due to the overlap between the outlet opening 9 of the air flow channel and the first air inlet zone 15.

Fig. 4 shows a comparative example of an incompatible aerosol-generating article 103 that does not have a first air inlet zone located along and around the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate, when used with an aerosol-generating device 10. Due to the fact that the article 103 does not contain an air inlet zone, and because the upstream end of the article 103 abuts the distal end of the cavity of the device, drawing air through the article 103 is impossible.

The aerosol generating device 10 comprises an annular air flow channel 5, as shown in Fig. 1. The aerosol generating device 20, shown in Fig. 3, comprises at least two elongated air flow channels 205.

Claims (21)

1. An aerosol generating article for creating an aerosol upon heating, comprising: aerosol-forming substrate rod; and a filter located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod and containing a hollow tubular segment; wherein the aerosol-forming substrate rod and the filter are assembled inside the wrapper, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises first and second air inlet zones, which are located on the wrapper and each of which is configured to provide air inlet into the interior of the aerosol-generating article; and wherein the first air inlet zone is located along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate, and the second air inlet zone is located along the hollow tubular segment. 2. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the filter of the aerosol-generating article comprises a mouthpiece segment comprising a plug of filter material located downstream of the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate, and wherein the hollow tubular segment is located between the mouthpiece segment and the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate. 3. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 2, wherein the filter of the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol cooling element located between the mouthpiece segment and the hollow tubular segment. 4. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the second air inlet zone is located at least 2 mm downstream of the first air inlet zone. 5. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the second air inlet zone is located at least 12 mm downstream of the first air inlet zone. 6. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first air inlet zone is located at least 2 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. 7. An aerosol generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the second air inlet zone is located at least 2 mm downstream of the upstream end of the hollow tubular segment. 8. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first air inlet zone or the second air inlet zone comprises a substantially porous portion of the wrapper. 9. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first air inlet zone or the second air inlet zone comprises a plurality of openings passing through the wrapper. 10. The aerosol generating article of claim 8, wherein the first air inlet zone has a porosity of at least 3000 Coresta units. 11. The aerosol generating article of claim 8, wherein the first air inlet zone has a porosity of less than 25,000 Coresta units. 12. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrapper of the aerosol-generating article comprises an air-impermeable material. 13. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article according to any of the preceding claims and an aerosol generating device having a distal end and a mouthpiece end and comprising: a casing forming a cavity of the device for removable placement of the aerosol generating article on the mouthpiece end of the device; a heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is placed within the cavity of the device; and an air flow channel extending between the channel inlet and the channel outlet and configured to provide fluid communication between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol generating device; wherein the aerosol generating system is designed in such a way that when the aerosol generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device, fluid communication is ensured between the internal region of the cavity of the aerosol generating device and the region outside the aerosol generating device by ensuring fluid communication between the first air inlet zone of the aerosol generating article placed inside the cavity of the device and the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device.

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