RU2825258C1 - Aerosol generating system comprising air intake zone - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to tobacco industry, in particular, to devices simulating tobacco smoking process. Aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate rod, and a filter located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. Substrate rod and filter are assembled inside the wrapper. Aerosol-generating article comprises a first air intake zone located on the wrapper and configured to allow air intake into the inner space of the aerosol-generating article. Aerosol-generating device has a distal end and a mouthpiece end and comprises a casing defining a cavity of the device for an aerosol-generating article at the mouthpiece end of the device, as well as a heater. Air flow channel is configured to create a fluid communication between the inner space of the cavity of the device and the outer part of the aerosol-generating device. Aerosol-generating device comprises a peripheral wall defining the cavity of the device. When placing the aerosol-generating article inside the aerosol-generating device, the sealing part of the peripheral wall is configured to create a tight fit with the aerosol-generating part of the article, in a position further downstream or earlier downstream relative to the first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article.

EFFECT: increased cooling and aerosol nucleation.

14 cl, 13 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article.

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 by transferring heat 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 specially adapted for use with a specific aerosol-generating device, or an aerosol-generating device is specially 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 certain aerosol-generating articles or fail to heat other aerosol-generating articles.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an aerosol generating system that prevents the use of an incompatible aerosol generating article with a particular aerosol generating device, or prevents the use of an incompatible aerosol generating device with a particular aerosol generating article.

The present technical description provides an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device. 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 an aerosol generating substrate and the filter are assembled inside a wrapper. The aerosol generating article comprises a first air intake zone located on the wrapper. The first air intake zone is designed to provide air intake into the interior of the aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating device comprises a distal end and a mouthpiece end. The aerosol generating device comprises a casing. The casing defines a cavity of the device for removably containing the aerosol generating article at the mouthpiece end of the device. The aerosol generating device comprises a heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device. The aerosol generating device comprises an air flow channel passing between the channel inlet and the channel outlet. The air flow channel is designed to create a fluid communication between the internal space of the device cavity and the external part of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating system is designed in such a way that when the aerosol-generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device, a fluid communication is created between the internal space of the device cavity and the external part of the aerosol generating device by creating a fluid communication between the first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article placed inside the cavity of the device and the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device.

The present technical description provides an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating article may comprise a rod of an aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating article may comprise a filter located downstream of the rod of the aerosol generating substrate. The rod of the aerosol generating substrate may be assembled inside a wrapper. The filter may be assembled inside the wrapper. The aerosol generating article may comprise a first air intake zone located on the wrapper. The first air intake zone may be configured to provide air intake into the interior of the aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating device may have a distal end and a mouthpiece end. The aerosol generating device may comprise a casing. The housing may define a cavity of the device for removably containing an aerosol-generating article at the mouth end of the device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is contained within 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 create a fluid communication between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol generating system can be designed such that when an aerosol generating article is placed inside a cavity of the device, a fluid communication can be created between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol generating device by creating a fluid communication between the first air intake zone of the aerosol generating article placed inside the cavity of the device and the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device.

In this specification, a downstream section may refer to one or more components located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. A filter may be a downstream section. A filter may form part of a downstream section. A downstream section may comprise a filter.

The present technical description provides an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating article may comprise a rod of an aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating article may comprise a downstream section located downstream of the rod of the aerosol generating substrate. The rod of the aerosol generating substrate may be collected inside a wrapper. The downstream section may be collected inside the wrapper. The aerosol generating article may comprise a first air intake zone located on the wrapper. The first air intake zone may be configured to provide air intake into the interior of the aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating device may have a distal end and a mouthpiece end. The aerosol generating device may comprise a casing. The housing may define a cavity of the device for removably containing an aerosol-generating article at the mouth end of the device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is contained within 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 create a fluid communication between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol generating system can be designed such that when an aerosol generating article is placed inside a cavity of the device, a fluid communication can be created between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol generating device by creating a fluid communication between the first air intake zone of the aerosol generating article placed inside the cavity of the device and the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device.

An aerosol-generating article may contain an aerosol-generating substance. The aerosol-generating substance may comprise more than approximately 10 percent of the aerosol-generating substrate on a dry weight basis.

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 immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

In order to use the aerosol generating article and generate the aerosol in the aerosol generating device according to the present invention, it is necessary to create a fluid communication between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol generating device. During use, the user can puff through the aerosol generating article, so that the user can feel and consume the aerosol generated in the aerosol generating article. Due to this puffing action, air can flow from the exterior of the aerosol generating device, through the aerosol generating device, into and through the aerosol generating article, 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 configured to create a fluid communication between the internal space of the cavity of the device and the external part of the aerosol generating device, by creating a fluid communication between the first air intake zone of the aerosol generating article accommodated inside the cavity of the device and the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device, it is possible to use compatible aerosol generating articles with the aerosol generating device. For use in the aerosol generating system according to the present invention, compatible aerosol generating articles must have a first air intake zone configured to create a fluid communication between the first air intake zone of the aerosol generating article when it is accommodated 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 path configured to establish fluid communication with the first air intake zone of an aerosol-generating article contained within the device.

Fluid communication between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol-generating device may be created by an outlet opening of the air flow channel of the aerosol-generating device that overlaps or is located above the first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity of the device. Thus, compatible aerosol-generating articles must have a first air intake zone configured in such a way that the outlet opening of the air flow channel of the aerosol-generating device is located above or overlaps the first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article when it is received in 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 opening overlaps or is located above the first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article when it is received in the device.

If an incompatible aerosol-generating article is used with an 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 or at least fully experience the incompatible aerosol-generating article. In addition, if a compatible aerosol-generating article is used with another aerosol-generating device that does not belong to the aerosol-generating system according to the present invention, the user will also not be able to use the aerosol-generating system and will not be able to consume or at least fully experience the compatible aerosol-generating article. The reason for this is that fluid communication between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol generating device cannot be properly or completely created if there is no alignment between the outlet opening of the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device and the first air intake zone of the aerosol generating article.

Fluid communication between the exterior of the aerosol generating device and the interior of the aerosol generating article may be created by partially or completely blocking or equalizing between the outlet of the air flow channel of the device and the first air intake zone of the article.

Fluid communication between the exterior of the aerosol generating device and the interior of the aerosol generating article may be created by partially or completely blocking or equalizing between the air flow channel of the device and the first air intake zone of the article.

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.

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

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

The term "mouth end" refers to the portion of an element or component that is configured to be located in or near the user's mouth 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 aerosol-generating article or device is configured to be located in or near the user's mouth 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 product in the longitudinal direction. Outside the device, air may be drawn through the product 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 a component of an aerosol-generating article refers to a cross-section unless otherwise specified.

The term "length" means the size of a component of an aerosol generating article or device with reference 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 in order to match the same shape of the aerosol generating article.

The term "contained within" may refer to the fact that a component or element is wholly or partially contained within another component or element. For example, the term "an aerosol-generating article is contained within a cavity of a device" refers to an aerosol-generating article that is wholly or partially contained within a cavity of a device for an aerosol-generating article. When an aerosol-generating article is contained within a cavity of a device, the aerosol-generating article may abut a distal end of the cavity of the device. When an aerosol-generating article is contained within a cavity of a device, the aerosol-generating article may be in substantial proximity to a distal end of the cavity of the device. The distal end of the cavity of the device may be defined 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 substrate forming the aerosol.

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 to form an interference fit with the aerosol-generating article.

The cavity of the device may be configured to form a press fit with an aerosol-generating article received in the cavity of the device. The press fit may refer to a tight fit. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a peripheral wall. Such a peripheral wall may define a cavity of the device or a heating chamber. The peripheral wall defining the cavity of the device may be configured to engage with the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity of the device by means of a press fit, so that there is essentially no gap or empty space between the peripheral wall defining the cavity of the device and the aerosol-generating article when it is received in the device.

Such a press fit may create a tight fit or configuration between the cavity of the device and the aerosol-generating article received therein. Such a tight configuration may mean that air can be drawn into the interior of the aerosol-generating article only when the outlet opening of the air flow channel and the first air intake zone are aligned or blocked. With such a tight configuration, there will be essentially no gap or empty space between the peripheral wall defining the cavity of the device and the aerosol-generating article for air to pass through. Therefore, when an incompatible aerosol-generating article is used with the aerosol-generating device, such alignment cannot occur and, therefore, air cannot be drawn through the incompatible aerosol-generating article.

The interference fit with the aerosol-generating article may be created along the entire length of the cavity of the device or along a portion of the length of the cavity of the device. The interference fit may be created in a position further downstream of the first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article. The portion of the peripheral wall that is configured to create such an interference fit may be called a sealing portion of the peripheral wall. Such an interference fit may be created when the air flow channel is defined within the thickness of the peripheral wall of the aerosol-generating device. The sealing portion of the peripheral wall may be defined along the entire length of the cavity of the device.

When the air flow channel is defined on the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the device housing, a portion of the peripheral wall between the air flow channel and the distal end of the cavity of the device may define a sealing portion of the peripheral wall. This ensures that air cannot flow outside the air flow channel to 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 accommodated in the device.

The sealing portion of the peripheral wall may be designed to create a hermetic fit with a portion of the aerosol-generating article in a position further downstream of the first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article. The sealing portion of the peripheral wall may be designed to create a hermetic fit with a portion of the aerosol-generating article in a position further downstream of the second air intake 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 part of the peripheral wall.

The diameter of the cavity of the device may increase from the sealing portion 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 portion 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 portion of the peripheral wall and 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, the cavity of the device can define a gap or chamber around (with the surrounding) of the 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 intake zone and the first outlet opening of the air flow channel of the device may not necessarily provide fluid communication between the outside of the device and the interior of the article. The air flow must still be admitted into the article through the first air intake 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 intake 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 defining 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 the circular protrusion is configured to create a sealed fit with a portion of the aerosol generating article when it is received in the aerosol generating device in a position further downstream of the first air intake 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 projection may be equal to the diameter of the aerosol-generating article, so that a tight fit is created between the article and the circular projection when the article is inserted into the aerosol-generating device. The inner diameter of the circular projection may even be smaller than the diameter of the aerosol-generating article. This may provide a more reliable seal.

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

When the aerosol-generating article is housed within the cavity of the device, the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article may be blocked so as to substantially prevent air from entering the aerosol-generating article through its upstream end. However, when the aerosol-generating article is not housed in the aerosol-generating device, air may flow through the aerosol-generating article through its upstream end. When the article is housed or inserted into the device, the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article may abut against the distal end of the cavity of the device so that air can no longer flow through the upstream end of the article. Thus, air flowing through the air flow channel may be drawn through the article only through the first air intake zone. The upstream end of the aerosol-generating article may be defined by the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

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 create a 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 defined inside the casing of the aerosol generating device to provide a 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 accommodated inside the cavity of the device, the air flow channel may be configured to provide an air flow into the article in order to deliver the generated aerosol to the user, who takes a drag through the mouth end of the article.

The air flow channel of the aerosol generating device may be defined inside the peripheral wall of the housing of the aerosol generating device or by this peripheral wall. In other words, the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device may be defined within the thickness of the peripheral wall or by the inner surface of the peripheral wall, or a combination of both. The air flow channel may be partially defined by the inner surface of the peripheral wall and may be partially defined within the thickness of the peripheral wall. The inner surface of the peripheral wall defines 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 near end of the aerosol generating device to the outlet located away 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 such that when the compatible aerosol generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device, the outlet opening is located above the first air intake zone of the article.

The air flow channel may comprise more than one outlet, one for each air intake 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 intake zone and a second air intake zone, the air flow channel of the corresponding aerosol generating device may have at least one first outlet located above the first air intake zone and at least one second outlet located above the second air intake zone, when the aerosol generating article is completely contained in the aerosol generating device. Thus, the aerosol generating system can be designed in such a way that when the aerosol generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device, a fluid communication is created between the interior of the cavity of the device and the exterior of the aerosol generating device by creating a fluid communication between the first and second air intake zones of the aerosol generating article placed inside the cavity of the device and the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device.

When the air flow channel is defined inside the peripheral wall of the device, the air flow channel may comprise a first portion extending in the axial direction of the device from the inlet opening of the channel, and a second portion extending in the transverse or radial direction from the end of the first portion to the outlet opening of the channel. As a result, the air flow channel may comprise a bend or an elbow 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, the air flow channel may comprise additional portions of the channel extending in the transverse direction from the first portion to each of the additional outlet openings. If the air flow channel comprises a single outlet opening, the air flow channel may comprise an L-shaped bend or an elbow.

The air flow channel is defined by the inner surface of the peripheral wall, the length of the air flow channel can open directly into the cavity of the device, i.e. the longitudinal side of the air flow channel can open into the cavity of the device. The thickness of the part of the peripheral wall defining the air flow channel can be smaller than the thickness of the remaining part of the peripheral wall. The diameter of the part of the peripheral wall defining the air flow channel can be larger than the diameter of the remaining part of the peripheral wall. In such embodiments, the air flow channel can have an annular shape, so that the air flow channel surrounds the cavity of the device and the aerosol-generating article accommodated in the cavity of the device.

In embodiments where the air flow channel is defined by the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the casing, the entire length of the air flow channel may open or disclose into the cavity of the device and, thus, into the aerosol-generating article received in the device. In such embodiments, in order to create a fluid communication between the outer part of the aerosol-generating device and the inner space of the aerosol-generating article, the air flow channel is configured so as to be located above all air intake zones of the compatible aerosol-generating article. In such embodiments, the outlet opening of the air flow channel may be considered the open side of the air flow channel; that is, the side of the air flow channel that is opened or disclosed 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 intake zone of the aerosol-generating article contained in the cavity of the device, or is located 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 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 intake zone, when the article is placed inside the cavity of the device, and the distal end of the cavity of the device may be similar 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 intake zone, when the article is placed inside the cavity of the device, and the distal end of the cavity of the device may be similar 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 intake zone, when the article is placed inside the cavity of the device, and the distal end of the cavity of the device may be similar or equal.

The first outlet may be located at a distance of no more than approximately 25 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device. The first outlet may be located at a distance of from approximately 3 mm to approximately 20 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device. The first outlet may be located at a distance of from approximately 5 mm to approximately 18 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device. The first outlet may be located at a distance of from approximately 7 mm to approximately 16 mm from the distal end of the cavity of the device. The air flow channel may not 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 intake 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 openings and inlet openings may be the same or different.

The "length" of an air flow duct may refer to the distance the air flow duct extends in the longitudinal direction.

The aerosol generating device may be provided with multiple air flow channels, each of which has at least one inlet and at least one outlet. These multiple air flow channels may be uniformly distributed around the circumference of the cavity of the device.

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

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

The aerosol generating article may further comprise an upstream section at a location upstream 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 immediately upstream of the aerosol generating element. 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 referred to as an 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 generating substrate to generate the main flow of aerosol.

The porosity or permeability of the upstream section can advantageously be varied to provide a 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 aerosol-generating substrate rod 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 of material. Suitable materials for forming 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 be adjacent to the upstream end of the aerosol generating substrate. For example, the upstream section may comprise a plug comprising cellulose acetate and adjacent to the upstream end of the aerosol generating substrate. This may advantageously help 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 from the upstream end of the aerosol generating 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 aerosol-forming substrate rod and the mouthpiece segment. All three elements may be longitudinally aligned. The aerosol-forming substrate rod 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 immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate.

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 longitudinally aligned.

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 the aerosol forming substrate, such that in use, the aerosol formed by volatile compounds released from the aerosol forming substrate passes through the aerosol cooling element and is cooled by it before being inhaled by the user. The aerosol cooling element has a large surface area, but causes a low pressure drop. The aerosol cooling element may have the function of reducing the temperature of the aerosol stream drawn through the element by heat transfer. The 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 a metal foil, a sheet of a 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.

After consumption, aerosol generating articles are typically disposed of. It may be advantageous for the elements that form the aerosol generating article to be biodegradable. Thus, it may be advantageous for the aerosol cooling element to be formed from a biodegradable material, such as non-porous paper or a biodegradable polymer, such as polylactic acid or Mater-Bi® brand (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 the aerosol-cooling segment (or element), and aligned in the longitudinal direction with them. In more detail, the support element (or support segment) may preferably be provided immediately downstream of the rod and immediately upstream of the hollow tubular segment or the aerosol-cooling element. 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 an air-repellent material. By equipping the aerosol-generating article with an air-impermeable or air-repellent material, when the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article is blocked when inserted into the cavity of the device or the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device, it is ensured that air is drawn in through the first air intake zone so that air enters the aerosol-generating article. In other words, it is ensured that the first air intake zone can define the primary and only air inlet portion of the article, through which air can be drawn in the article.

The expression "air-repellent material" or "air-impermeable material" is used throughout this description to mean a material that does not allow fluids, particularly air and smoke, to pass through the interstices or pores in the material. For example, if a wrapper is formed from a material that is impermeable to air and aerosol particles, air and aerosol particles drawn through the article cannot flow through the wrapper material. Conversely, the term "porous" is used in this document 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, air can enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article only through the first air intake zone provided in the wrapper when the article is placed in the aerosol-generating device.

The first air intake zone may be located in the (first) position along the aerosol-generating article. The first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate. The first air intake zone may be located around the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate. The first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located in the position along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The first air intake zone may be located at a position downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The first air intake zone may be located at least 1 mm downstream of or from the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

The first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located along the hollow tubular segment. The first air intake zone may be located around the hollow tubular segment. The first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located in a position along the hollow tubular segment.

The first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located along the support segment. The first air intake zone may be located around the support segment. The first air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located in a position 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 define the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

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

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

The first air intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake zone may be arranged along an upstream half of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. By arranging the first air intake zone along an upstream half of the aerosol-forming substrate rod, air drawn through the first air intake zone may be drawn along a substantial length of the aerosol-forming substrate rod to optimize aerosol generation and efficiently utilize the aerosol-forming substrate.

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

Whenever it is stated throughout this description that an air intake zone is or may be located along a certain component of an aerosol-generating article, this refers to the fact that the air intake zone is on a portion of the wrapper that is located above such component of the aerosol-generating article. For example, if the air intake zone is located along a rod of an aerosol-generating substrate, this refers to the fact that the air intake zone is on a portion of the wrapper that is located above the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate.

The term "upstream half" refers to the portion or part of an element between the upstream end of the element and the middle of the element. The term "downstream half" refers to the portion or part 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 intake zones providing additional functionality to the first air intake zone. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a second air intake zone located on the wrapper. Such a second air intake 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 intake zone serves as the air intake zone of the article. In addition, air intake zones may be provided to provide further ventilation of the article during normal and compatible use.

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

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

The second air intake zone may be located at least approximately 1 mm downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. That is, the second air intake zone may be located at least 1 mm downstream of the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air intake zone may be located at least approximately 2 mm downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air intake zone may be located at least approximately 3 mm downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The second air intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake zone can be located along the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air intake zone can be located at least approximately 3.5 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air intake zone can be located at least approximately 4 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. The second air intake zone can be located at least approximately 6.5 mm downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod.

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

The second air intake 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 intake 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 intake 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 intake zone may be located at least approximately 1.5 mm further downstream relative to the first air intake zone. The second air intake zone may be located at least approximately 2 mm further downstream relative to the first air intake zone. The second air intake zone may be located at least approximately 3 mm further downstream relative to the first air intake zone.

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

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

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

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

The air intake zone may comprise one or more rows of openings or perforations that extend through the wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. The openings or perforations of the air intake zone may extend through a filter or a downstream section of the aerosol-generating article. The openings or perforations of the air intake zone may extend through a peripheral wall of a hollow tubular segment of the article. The openings or perforations of the air intake zone may extend through a peripheral wall of a support segment of the article, especially if the support segment is hollow.

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

The perforations of the air intake zone may have the same size. Alternatively, the size of the perforations may vary. By changing the number and size of the perforations, it is possible to adjust the amount of external air admitted into the hollow tubular segment when the consumer puffs on the mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating article during use. In particular, it is advantageous to adjust the ventilation level or the air intake level of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the perforations are round.

The air intake perforations may be formed using any suitable technique, such as laser technology, mechanical perforation of a hollow tubular segment or a support segment as part of an aerosol-generating article, or pre-perforation of a hollow tubular segment or a support segment before combining it with other elements to form an aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the perforations are formed using in-line laser perforation.

Additionally, the inventors have found that in the aerosol generating articles of the present invention, the effect of cooling and dilution caused by the admission of ventilation air at a location 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.

The air intake or ventilation zone may comprise one or more rows of perforation holes formed through the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment. As described above, the second air intake zone may be a ventilation zone. Preferably, the ventilation zone comprises only one row of perforation holes. It should be understood that this is advantageous in that, by concentrating the cooling effect caused by ventilation on a short part of the cavity formed by the hollow tubular segment, the nucleation of the aerosol can be further improved. The reason for this is that a more rapid and sharp cooling of the flow of evaporated compounds is expected to particularly promote the formation of new nuclei of aerosol particles.

Preferably, one or more rows of perforations are arranged around the circumference of the wall of the hollow tube. If the ventilation zone comprises two or more rows of perforations formed through the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment, these rows are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction along the hollow tubular segment.

The radius of the perforations or air intake openings may be at least about 0.05 mm. The radius of the perforations or air intake openings may be at least about 0.06 mm. The radius of the perforations or air intake openings may be at least about 0.1 mm. The radius of the perforations for air intake openings may be from about 0.06 mm to about 0.1 mm.

The equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation or air intake perforations is preferably at least about 100 micrometers. Preferably, the equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation perforations is at least about 150 micrometers. Even more preferably, the equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation perforations is at least about 200 micrometers. In addition or alternatively, the equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation perforations is preferably less than about 500 micrometers. More preferably, the equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation perforations is less than about 450 micrometers. Even more preferably, the equivalent diameter of at least one of the ventilation perforations 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 perforation. The cross-section of the ventilation perforations may have any suitable shape. However, circular perforations are preferred.

The perforations for ventilation or air intake may be of the same size. Alternatively, the ventilation perforations may vary in size. By changing the number and size of the ventilation perforations, it is possible to adjust the amount of external air admitted into the hollow tubular segment when the consumer puffs on the mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating product during use. In particular, it is possible to advantageously adjust the ventilation level of the aerosol-generating product.

The air intake zone may comprise a substantially porous portion of the wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. Such a porous portion may be defined in an air-repellent or air-impermeable wrapper of the aerosol-generating article, or may be defined by another material forming a portion of the wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. Such a porous portion may be defined by a porous structure defined in the wrapper. Such a porous portion may define a first or second air intake zone. Thus, the first or second air intake zone may have the porosity characteristics of such a porous portion.

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

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

The width of the first air intake zone may be greater than the width of the second air intake zone. This allows the first air intake zone to function as the main air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article when it is placed in a compatible aerosol-generating device, while the second or subsequent air intake zone may function as auxiliary air intake zones or ventilation zones.

Such a relatively wide air intake zone may be formed from a porous portion of the wrapper having a relatively high porosity (as described above), several lines of perforations, or one line of relatively wide perforations.

By providing a wide air intake zone, such as the first air intake zone, there will be more surface area of the first air intake zone to overlap or align with the outlet of the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device. Therefore, this can reliably ensure the creation of a fluid communication between the outside of the aerosol generating device and the inside of the aerosol generating article housed in the device, so that the consumer can use the article appropriately. Having a relatively wide air intake zone can take into account any manufacturing inaccuracies of the air intake zone, which can affect the alignment of the outlet of the air flow channel of the device and the air intake zone.

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

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

Each air intake zone may provide or provide a certain level of air intake into the interior of the aerosol-generating article. The air intake level may refer to the amount of fluid that may enter through the air intake zone to enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article. The air intake level may be expressed in cubic millimeters in relation to the volume of air that may enter through the air intake zone over a period of time expressed in seconds. The air intake 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 adjusted so as to be greater 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 the flow of a suitable amount of air through the first air intake zone during use, when the aerosol-generating article is placed inside the aerosol-generating device to function as the main air intake zone for the article, while the second air intake zone can provide ventilation of the article.

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

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

From a certain volume of air entering the aerosol generating device through an air flow channel or several air flow channels over a period of time, the first share of such air intake volume may enter the interior space of the aerosol generating article through the first air intake zone, and the second share of such air intake volume may enter the interior space of the aerosol generating article through the second air intake zone. For example, over a period of time T, a volume V of air may enter the aerosol generating device, then the first share V, expressed as a percentage V, may enter the interior space of the aerosol generating article through the first air intake zone, and the second share V may enter the interior space 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, at least about 50 percent of such 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 such 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 such 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 such 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 75 percent of such 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, approximately 50 percent or less of such 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 such 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 such 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 such total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone. With respect to the total intake volume of air entering the aerosol generating device over a period of time, approximately 25 percent or less of such total volume may enter the interior of the aerosol generating article through the second air intake zone.

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

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

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

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

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

Similarly, a certain volume flow rate may flow through an air flow channel or several air flow channels of the aerosol generating device before the air exits the air flow channel to the aerosol generating article. From such an inlet volume flow rate (or an air flow channel volume flow rate existing in the air flow channel before the outlet openings), a first portion of such an inlet volume flow rate may flow through the first air intake zone, and a second portion of such an inlet volume flow rate may flow through the second air intake zone. For example, the volume flow rate VF may flow through the air flow channel, then the first portion of VF, expressed as a percentage of VF, may flow through the first air intake zone, and the second portion of VF may flow through the second air intake zone.

With respect to the inlet volume flow rate flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, at least about 50 percent of such inlet volume flow rate may flow through the first air intake zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, at least about 55 percent of such inlet volume flow rate may flow through the first air intake zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, at least about 60 percent of such inlet volume flow rate may flow through the first air intake zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, at least about 70 percent of such inlet volume flow rate may flow through the first air intake zone. With respect to the volumetric flow rate of the inlet flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, at least approximately 75 percent of such volumetric flow rate of the inlet may flow through the first air intake zone.

With respect to the inlet volume flow rate flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 50 percent or less of such inlet volume flow rate may flow through the second air intake zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 45 percent or less of such inlet volume flow rate may flow through the second air intake zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 40 percent or less of such inlet volume flow rate may flow through the second air intake zone. With respect to the inlet volume flow rate flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 30 percent or less of such inlet volume flow rate may flow through the second air intake zone. With respect to the volumetric flow rate of the inlet flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 25 percent or less of such volumetric flow rate of the inlet may flow through the second air intake zone.

With respect to the volumetric flow rate of the inlet flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 50 percent of such volumetric flow rate of the inlet may flow through the first air intake zone and approximately 50 percent of such volumetric flow rate of the inlet may flow through the second air intake zone.

With respect to the volumetric flow rate of the intake flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 55 percent of such volumetric flow rate may flow through the first air intake zone and approximately 45 percent of such volumetric flow rate may flow through the second air intake zone.

With respect to the volumetric flow rate of the inlet flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 60 percent of such volumetric flow rate of the inlet may flow through the first air intake zone and approximately 40 percent of such volumetric flow rate of the inlet may flow through the second air intake zone.

With respect to the volumetric flow rate of the intake flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 70 percent of such volumetric flow rate of the intake may flow through the first air intake zone and approximately 30 percent of such volumetric flow rate of the intake may flow through the second air intake zone.

With respect to the volumetric flow rate of the intake flowing through the air flow passage of the aerosol generating device, approximately 75 percent of such volumetric flow rate may flow through the first air intake zone and approximately 25 percent of such volumetric flow rate may flow through the second air intake zone.

The term "ventilation level" may be used throughout this specification to refer to the volumetric ratio between the airflow admitted into the aerosol-generating article through the air intake zone (inlet airflow) and the airflow exiting the aerosol-generating article through the mouthpiece 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 within 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 intake zone can be measured by blocking all other air intake zones, if any, and drawing air from the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article so that air can flow through the front end or upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and the first air intake zone into the aerosol-generating article. The ventilation level provided by the first air intake zone can be determined as the ratio between the air flow rate (air stream) entering the aerosol-generating article through the first air intake zone and the air flow rate exiting the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end.

The ventilation level provided by the second air intake zone can be measured by blocking all other air intake zones, if any, and drawing air from the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article so that air can flow through the front end or upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and the second air intake zone into the aerosol-generating article. The ventilation level provided by the second air intake zone can be determined as the ratio between the air flow rate (air stream) entering the aerosol-generating article through the second air intake zone and the air flow rate exiting the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end.

The overall ventilation rate of an aerosol-generating article can be measured by not blocking any air intake zones present in the aerosol-generating article and drawing air from the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article so that air can flow through the front end or upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and the air intake zones into the aerosol-generating article. The overall ventilation rate of the aerosol-generating article can be determined as the ratio between the sum of the air flow rates entering the aerosol-generating article through each of the air intake zones and the air flow rate exiting the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end.

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

The ventilation level provided to the aerosol-generating article by the second air intake zone may be at least about 10 percent. The ventilation level provided by the second air intake zone may be at least about 20 percent. The ventilation level provided by the second air intake zone may be at least about 25 percent. The ventilation level provided by the second air intake zone may be at least about 50 percent. The ventilation level provided by the second air intake 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 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 advantageously 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 nucleation duration and, therefore, the delivery of nicotine and the aerosol forming substance (e.g., glycerol) are improved.

The first air intake zone may function as the first or main air intake zone, and the second air intake zone may function as the ventilation zone of the aerosol-generating article. The reason is that the first air intake zone will be designed as the first air intake point when the aerosol-generating article is inside the cavity of the device, and may be designed to receive the largest amount of air compared to other air intake zones provided on the wrapper of the article.

The first air intake zone will ensure compatibility between the aerosol-generating article and the aerosol-generating device, as described above, by defining the main air intake zone of the article, while the second air intake zone will ensure ventilation of the aerosol-generating article during normal use, when the aerosol-generating article is placed inside the device. All air intake 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 intake zones from being inadvertently blocked by the user's hand or lips during normal use, which may negatively affect the user's experience, since the ventilation of the product may be impaired.

There are advantages associated with providing ventilation to the aerosol generating article during normal use. Without being limited by theory, it has been found that the temperature difference caused by the introduction of cooler external air into the hollow tubular segment through the ventilation zone can have an advantageous effect on the nucleation and growth of aerosol particles.

In this scenario, 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 time behavior with respect to liquid phase (droplet) formation, since the nucleation process is typically nonlinear. Without being limited by theory, it is suggested that cooling may cause a rapid decrease in droplet number concentration, followed by a strong short-term increase in droplet 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. In contrast, a decrease in the cooling rate may have a beneficial effect on the final size that aerosol droplets eventually reach.

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

It has further been found that in the aerosol generating articles of the present invention, the cooling and dilution effect caused by the admission of ventilation air at a location 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 should be understood that this is advantageous in that by concentrating the cooling effect caused by ventilation on a short part of the cavity defined by the hollow tubular segment, the nucleation of the aerosol can be further improved. The reason for this is that a faster and more drastic cooling of the stream of volatile compounds from the substrate forming the aerosol is expected to particularly promote the formation of new nuclei of aerosol particles.

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

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate rod has an outside diameter of at least about 4 millimeters (mm). The aerosol-forming substrate rod may have an outside diameter of at least about 5 millimeters. The aerosol-forming substrate rod may have an outside diameter of about 5 millimeters to about 12 millimeters, such as about 5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters or about 6 millimeters to about 8 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate rod has an outside diameter of 7.2 millimeters to within 10 percent.

The aerosol-forming substrate rod may have a length of about 5 millimeters to about 100 mm. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate rod has a length of at least about 5 millimeters, more preferably at least about 7 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate rod 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 aerosol-forming substrate rod 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 aerosol-forming substrate rod may have a length of about 10 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate rod has a length of approximately 12 millimeters.

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

In preferred embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises one or more assembled 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, perforations, or a combination thereof. The rod of the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an assembled corrugated sheet of homogenized tobacco material surrounded by a wrapper.

In certain 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 formed by agglomerating plant particles. For example, sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material for aerosol-forming substrates according to the present invention may be formed by agglomerating tobacco material particles obtained by grinding, milling, or grinding the plant material and, optionally, one or more of the lamellae of a tobacco leaf and the veins of a tobacco leaf. The homogenized plant material may be obtained by casting processes, extrusion processes, papermaking processes, or any other suitable methods known in the art.

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

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

Alternatively or additionally, the homogenized plant material may be 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 formed from a sheet of homogenized plant material, such as by cutting or dividing into pieces, or by other methods, such as by 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 advantageously facilitates 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 substantially uniformly spaced 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 help agglomerate loose 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 particles of a non-tobacco plant flavoring substance. The particles of the non-tobacco plant flavoring substance 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, but are not limited to: 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 or a cannabinoid compound, or both an alkaloid compound and 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 or a cannabinoid compound, or both an alkaloid compound and a cannabinoid compound; an aerosol forming agent; and at least one gelling agent. Preferably, the at least one gelling agent forms a solid medium, and the glycerol is distributed in the solid medium, wherein the alkaloid or cannabinoid is distributed in the glycerol. Preferably, the gel composition is a stable gel phase.

Advantageously, a stable gel composition containing nicotine provides a predictable shape of the composition during storage or transportation from production to the consumer. A stable gel composition containing nicotine essentially maintains its shape. A stable gel composition containing nicotine essentially does not release a liquid phase during storage or transportation from production to the consumer. A stable gel composition containing nicotine can provide a simple consumable design. This consumable material can be designed without liquid content, thus a wider range of container materials and designs can be envisaged.

The gel composition described herein may be combined with an aerosol generating device to deliver a nicotine aerosol to the lungs at inhalation or air flow rates that are within the inhalation or air flow rates of a typical smoking regimen. The aerosol generating device may continuously heat the gel composition. The user may take multiple inhalations or "puffs," where each "puff" delivers 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 user when heated, preferably in a continuous manner.

The phrase "stable gel phase" or "stable gel" refers to a gel that substantially maintains its shape and mass when exposed to varying environmental conditions. A stable gel may not substantially release (release moisture) or absorb water when exposed to standard temperature and pressure when the relative humidity changes 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 the relative humidity changes from about 10 percent to about 60 percent.

The gel composition comprises an alkaloid compound or a cannabinoid compound, or both an alkaloid compound and 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, for example, a heterocyclic ring. In nature, alkaloid compounds are found primarily in plants and are especially common in certain families of flowering plants. However, some alkaloid compounds are found in animal and fungal species. As used herein, 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, etc.

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 decomposition at the operating temperature of the associated 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 aerosol-forming substrate rod comprises a gel composition as 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 a gel composition optimizes the delivery of the aerosol to the consumer.

Embodiments of the present invention in which the aerosol-forming substrate rod comprises a gel composition as 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 advantageously prevents physical contact with the gel composition. The upstream element or section may also advantageously compensate for any potential decrease in RTD, for example 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, facilitate aerosol formation and that are 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 more than 10 percent on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material have an aerosol-forming substance content of more 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 more 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 more 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 an aerosol-generating article according to the present invention can be produced by methods known in the art, for example, by the methods disclosed in international patent application WO-A-2012/164009 A2. In a preferred embodiment, sheets of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol-generating article are formed from a suspension containing bulk tobacco, guar gum, cellulose fibers and glycerol, by means of a casting method.

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 formed by twisting strips of homogenized tobacco material about their longitudinal axes, etc.

As a further alternative, the aerosol-forming substrate rod may comprise a nicotine-containing non-tobacco based material, such as a sheet of sorbent non-tobacco material with nicotine (e.g. in the form of a nicotine salt) and an aerosol forming substance incorporated therein. 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 formed from a porous or non-porous sheet material. The wrapper may be formed from 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 further 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 arranged in longitudinal alignment with and immediately downstream of the filter material plug, wherein the hollow tube forms a cavity at the mouthpiece end that is open to the external 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 approximately 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 (about 900 Pa). More preferably, the aerosol generating article has a total RTD of less than about 80 millimeters of water (about 800 Pa). Even more preferably, the aerosol generating article has a total RTD of less than about 70 millimeters of water (about 700 Pa).

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

The RTD of an aerosol-generating device may 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 intended to be measured with respect to the aerosol-generating device itself (i.e. prior to insertion of the device into the aerosol-generating device) without blocking the perforations of the vent area.

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

The support element may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the support element may be formed from one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: cellulose acetate; 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 element is formed from cellulose acetate.

The aerosol generating device may comprise an extractor for extracting an aerosol generating article contained in the aerosol generating device, wherein the extractor is configured to move within the cavity of the device.

The extractor may be configured to open a channel for an air flow when the extractor is in the 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 containing body configured to contain an aerosol-generating article. The containing body of the extractor (extractor body) may comprise an end wall and a peripheral wall. The containing body of the extractor comprises an open end opposite the end wall, through which the aerosol-generating article may be contained. The aerosol-generating article is configured to rest against the end wall after being contained inside the extractor body. The peripheral wall of the containing body may surround the aerosol-generating article when it is contained inside the extractor. In such embodiments, where the extractor is present, the peripheral wall of the extractor body may define a channel for the air flow. Alternatively, the peripheral wall of the device casing may define a channel for the air flow.

The size of the extractor may be such that in the working position the containing body extends between the first end of the air flow channel and the distal end of the cavity of the device. This allows the aerosol-generating article to open directly 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 may be such that in the working position the containing 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 may have a cutout or several cutouts to ensure the opening of the air flow channel into the aerosol-generating article when it is inserted. The extractor body and the cavity of the device together may be designed with the possibility of ensuring alignment during use of said cutout or several cutouts with the air flow channel or several air flow channels. For example, the extractor body may contain a protruding part intended to interact with a groove or a groove located in the casing of the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol generating device may comprise an elongated heater intended for insertion into the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is received within the cavity of the device. The elongated heater may be arranged with the cavity of the device. The elongated heater may extend into the cavity of the device. Alternative arrangements for heating will be discussed below. However, in such embodiments, where the heater extends into the cavity of the device, the extractor body comprises an opening in the end wall, allowing the heater to extend into the aerosol generating article. Such an opening may allow air to enter the interior 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 ensure that air enters the interior 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 abuts the far end of the cavity of the device), the air flow channel may be defined by a portion of the peripheral wall of the casing of the device that does not surround the extractor. Such a portion of the peripheral wall may define an air flow channel when the extractor is in the working position. In essence, said portion of the peripheral wall of the casing of the device may extend longitudinally behind the extractor, defining an air flow channel. The space or gap between the aerosol-generating article and the peripheral wall of the casing of the device defines an air flow channel.

In embodiments where an extractor is provided, the air flow channel can be defined between the peripheral wall of the housing of the aerosol generating device and the outer surface of the extractor. Alternatively, the air flow channel can be defined inside the extractor housing. The air flow channel can be defined in the peripheral wall of the extractor housing. The air flow channel can be defined 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 longitudinal position remote from the end wall of the extractor housing to a longitudinal position near the open end or at the open end of the extractor housing.

In embodiments where an extractor is not provided, the air flow channel may be defined 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 internally heat the aerosol-generating article. Alternatively, the heater may externally heat the aerosol-generating article. Such an external heater may surround the aerosol-generating article when it is inserted into or contained within the aerosol-generating device.

In some embodiments, the heater is designed to heat the outer surface of the aerosol-forming substrate. In some embodiments, the heater is designed to be inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-forming substrate is received inside the cavity. The heater can be located inside the cavity. The heater can extend inside the 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 designed to be inserted into the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is received 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 several resistive heating elements. Preferably, the resistive heating elements are electrically connected in a parallel arrangement. Advantageously, providing several resistive heating elements electrically connected in a parallel arrangement may facilitate the delivery of the desired electrical power to the heater, while reducing or minimizing the voltage required to provide the desired electrical power. Advantageously, reducing or minimizing the voltage required to operate the heater may facilitate the reduction or minimization of the physical size of the power supply.

Suitable materials for forming at least one resistive heating element include, but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, 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, at least one resistive heating element comprises one or more stamped portions of an electrically resistive material, such as stainless steel. Alternatively, 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, at least one heating element comprises an electrically insulating substrate, wherein at least one resistive heating element is provided on the 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. The 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, and 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 electrically conductive paths or a wire located on its surface. The size and shape of the electrically insulating substrate may allow it to be inserted directly into the aerosol-forming substrate. If the electrically insulating substrate is not rigid enough, the heating element may comprise an additional amplifying means. Current may pass through one or more electrically conductive paths to heat the heating element and the aerosol-forming substrate.

In some embodiments, the heater comprises an induction heating arrangement. The induction heating arrangement may comprise an induction coil and a power supply configured to provide a high-frequency oscillating current to the induction coil. As used herein, the term "high-frequency oscillating current" 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 a DC power supply into an AC current. The induction coil may be designed to generate a high-frequency oscillating electromagnetic field when receiving the high-frequency oscillating current from the power supply. The induction coil may be designed 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. As used herein, the term "current collector" 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 in such a way that when the aerosol-generating article is received 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 results in 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 (magnetic 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 electrical 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 the cavity. The aerosol-generating device may contain only one current-receiving element. The aerosol-generating device may contain several 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 designed to be inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate while accommodating the aerosol-forming substrate within the cavity.

The current collecting element may comprise any suitable material. The current collecting element may be formed from any material that can be 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. Advantageously, 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 comprises more than about 5 percent, preferably more than about 20 percent, more preferably more than about 50 percent or more 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 metallic layer located on the non-metallic core. For example, the current collecting element may comprise metallic 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 supply. The power supply may be a DC power supply. In some embodiments, the power supply is a battery. The power supply 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 supply may be another type of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that allows storing sufficient energy for one or more user operations, such as one or more aerosol generation sessions. For example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to ensure continuous heating of 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 supply 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 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an aerosol generating system according to the present invention;

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

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

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an aerosol generating system according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article used in the aerosol generating systems shown in Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a comparative example of an aerosol generating system;

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an aerosol generating system according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article used in the aerosol generating system shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an aerosol generating system according to the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an aerosol generating system according to the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article used in the aerosol generating systems of Figs. 9 and 10, according to the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an aerosol generating system according to the present invention; and

Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article used in the aerosol generating system shown in Fig. 12.

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 defines a cavity of the device for containing the aerosol generating article 1. The cavity of the device is defined 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 configured to be contained through the mouthpiece end of the cavity of the device and is configured to adjoin the closed end of the cavity of the device.

An air flow channel 5 is defined inside the peripheral wall 6. The air flow channel 5 passes between an inlet opening 7 located at the mouthpiece end of the aerosol generating device 10 and an outlet opening 9 located at a distal position 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 intake zone 15 located along the wrapper 22. The first air intake zone 15, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises a line of perforations passing through the wrapper 22. When the aerosol-generating article 1 is placed inside the cavity of the device, the outlet opening 9 is designed to be aligned with the first air intake zone 15 or placed above it. When placed in the cavity of the device, the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article 1 adjoins 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. The air drawn through the aerosol generating device 10 may enter the aerosol generating article 1 only through the first air intake zone 15, as shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 1, the aerosol-generating article 1 and the cavity of the device are arranged to form a hermetic fit, so that air cannot flow between the peripheral wall 6 and the article 1. This hermetic fit is formed along most of the entire length of the cavity of the device. The cavity of the device has a length of approximately 25 mm.

As shown in Fig. 2, as an alternative to forming a hermetic fit between the cavity of the device and the aerosol-generating article 1 along the entire length, the aerosol-generating system 200 may comprise an aerosol-generating device 20 comprising a circular projection 29 extending from the peripheral wall 6 into the cavity of the device. The circular projection 29 is configured to form a hermetic fit with a portion of the aerosol-generating article 1 when it is received in the aerosol-generating device in a position downstream of the first air intake zone 15. The inner diameter of the circular projection 29 is made similar to the diameter of the aerosol-generating article 1 in order to form a hermetic fit. This ensures that air drawn through the aerosol generating device 20 can enter the aerosol generating article 1 only through the air flow channel 5 and its outlet opening 7, but not through the gap between the article 1 and the cavity of the device.

Fig. 3 shows in more detail an aerosol generating system 100 similar to that shown in Fig. 1. An air flow channel 5 is defined inside the peripheral wall 6. The air flow channel 5 comprises a first part extending in the axial direction from the inlet opening 7 and a second part extending in the transverse or radial direction from the end of the first part to the outlet opening 9. As a result, the air flow channel 5 comprises an L-shaped bend.

Fig. 4 shows an aerosol generating system 300 similar to that shown in Fig. 3. The aerosol generating system 300 comprises an aerosol generating device 30 and an aerosol generating article 1. The aerosol generating device 30 is similar to the aerosol generating device 10, but differs in that the air flow channel 205 is defined along the inner surface of the peripheral wall 6. In such embodiments, a part of the air flow channel 205 is configured to be positioned above the first air intake zone 15 of the aerosol generating article 1. The air flow channel 205 has a length of approximately 23 millimeters. The entire length of the air flow channel 205 is configured to be positioned above the aerosol generating article 1 when it is received in the device 30.

Fig. 5 shows an aerosol generating article 1, designed for use in the aerosol generating systems 100, 200, 300 shown in Figs. 1-4.

The aerosol generating article 1 comprises a rod of aerosol forming substrate 12, a hollow support segment 14, an aerosol cooling element (or segment) 16, and a mouthpiece segment 18. The components (in this case, the hollow support segment 14, the aerosol cooling element 16, 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, longitudinally aligned, 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 electrical aerosol generating device 1 comprising a heater for heating a rod of a substrate 12 forming the aerosol.

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 acetate cellulose tube (hollow support segment) 14 has a length of approximately 8 millimeters, and its peripheral wall has a thickness of approximately 1 millimeter.

The mouthpiece segment 18 comprises a plug of 8 denier cellulose acetate rod 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.

The aerosol-generating article 1 comprises a first air intake zone 15 provided along the aerosol-generating substrate rod at a distance of at least approximately 2 millimetres from the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate rod 12. The first air intake zone 15 is located at a distance of less than approximately 10 millimetres from the downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate rod 12 or the upstream end of the hollow support segment 14. The first air intake zone 15 surrounds the aerosol-generating article 1. In other words, the first air intake zone 15 surrounds the entire periphery of the aerosol-generating article 1.

Fig. 6 shows a comparative example of an incompatible aerosol-generating article 102 that does not contain a first air intake zone located along and around the rod of the aerosol-generating substrate, which is used with the aerosol-generating device 30 shown in Fig. 4. Due to the fact that the article 102 does not contain an air intake zone and that the upstream end of the article 102 is adjacent to the distal end of the cavity of the device, air cannot be drawn through the device and the article 102.

Fig. 7 shows an aerosol generating system 400 similar to the aerosol generating system 300 shown in Fig. 4. The aerosol generating system 400 comprises an aerosol generating device 40 and an aerosol generating article 103. The aerosol generating system 400 differs from the aerosol generating system 300 in that the first air intake zone 115 is located around the hollow support segment 14 of the aerosol generating article 103, as shown in Fig. 8. The first air intake zone 115 is located approximately 2 mm further downstream relative to the upstream end of the hollow support segment 14 and approximately 2 mm further downstream relative to the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod 12, provided that the aerosol-forming substrate rod 12 and the hollow support segment 14 are directly adjacent to each other.

Due to the location of the first air intake zone 115, the air flow channel 305 defined in the peripheral wall 6 in the aerosol generating device 40 is shorter than the air flow channel 5. The length of the air flow channel 305 is from approximately 11 to approximately 13 mm.

Fig. 9 shows an aerosol generating system 500 similar to the aerosol generating system 100. The aerosol generating system 500 comprises an aerosol generating device 50 and an aerosol generating article 104, both of which are adapted to be used with each other. The aerosol generating device 50 is similar to the aerosol generating device 10, but differs in that the device 50 comprises an air flow channel 405 comprising one inlet opening 7 and two outlet openings 9, 19. The first outlet opening 9 of the air flow channel 405 is adapted to provide fluid communication between the outside of the aerosol generating device 50 and the first air intake zone 15 of the aerosol generating article 104. The second outlet opening 19 of the air flow channel 405 is configured to provide fluid communication between the outer portion of the aerosol generating device 50 and the second air intake zone 115 of the aerosol generating article 104.

Fig. 10 shows an aerosol generating system 600 similar to the aerosol generating system 500. Instead, the aerosol generating system 600 comprises an aerosol generating device 30 and an aerosol generating article 104. As described above, the air flow channel 205 is defined along the inner surface of the peripheral wall 6.

An aerosol generating article 104 is shown in Fig. 11. Two air intake zones 15, 115 are arranged along and around two different components of the aerosol generating article 104. The first air intake zone 15 is arranged along the aerosol generating substrate rod 12, at least approximately 2 mm further downstream of the upstream end of the aerosol generating substrate rod 12. The second air intake zone 115 is arranged along the hollow support segment 14, at least approximately 2 mm further downstream of the aerosol generating substrate rod 12 and at least approximately 2 mm further downstream of the upstream end of the hollow support segment 14.

As shown in Fig. 9 and 10, the fluid communication between the outside of the aerosol generating devices 30, 40 and the inside of the aerosol generating article 104 is created by means of two different air intake zones 15, 115. The first air intake zone 15 is configured to allow a greater amount of air to pass through than the second air intake zone 115. In other words, the first air intake zone 15 is configured to allow a greater level of air intake than the second air intake zone 115.

The first air intake zone 15 is configured to perform the function of the main air intake zone of the aerosol-generating article 104, when the article 104 is placed in the devices 30, 40, when the end of the article 104 located upstream of the flow is abutted against the far end of the device cavity. The second air intake zone 115 is configured to provide ventilation of the article 104; that is, ventilation of air into the aerosol flowing from the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate 12 through the hollow support segment 14 to the mouth end of the article 104. The second air intake zone 115 comprises a line of perforation holes passing around the wrapper 22 and passing through the wrapper 22 and the peripheral wall of the hollow support segment 14.

Fig. 12 shows an aerosol generating system 700 comprising an aerosol generating device 30 and an aerosol generating article 105, which is shown in Fig. 13. The aerosol generating article 105 comprises two air intake zones 215, 315 separated by a distance of approximately 1.5 mm. The first air intake zone 215 comprises a porous portion of the wrapper 22. Such a porous portion, forming the first air intake zone 15, has a width of approximately 3 mm. The second air intake zone 315 comprises a line of perforations passing through the wrapper 22 and around it. The second air intake zone 315 is located at a distance of approximately 1.5 mm downstream of the first air intake zone 215. Both the first and second air intake zones 215, 315 are located along the aerosol-forming substrate rod 12. The first air intake zone 215 is located approximately 2 mm further downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod 12.

When placed inside the aerosol generating device 30, the open upstream end of the aerosol generating article 105 is adjacent to the distal end of the cavity of the device in order to prevent air from passing through the upstream end of the aerosol generating article 105. Therefore, in use, air can flow through the first air intake zone 215 due to the mutual overlap between the air flow channel 205 and the first air intake zone 215.

Each of the above-described aerosol generating devices 10, 20, 50 comprises more than one air flow channel. The aerosol generating devices 10, 20, 50 shown in Fig. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9 comprise at least two elongated air flow channels 5, 405. Each of the aerosol generating devices 30, 40 comprises an annular air flow channel 205, 305, as shown in Fig. 4, 7, 10 and 12.

Unless otherwise stated, each of the described aerosol generating articles 1, 102, 103, 104, 105 comprises the same structural components, such as the aerosol generating substrate rod 12, the hollow support segment 14, the aerosol cooling element 16, and the mouthpiece segment 18, located within the wrapper 22, but differ primarily in the configuration of the air intake zones provided on the article.

Claims (26)

1. An aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating article comprising: aerosol-forming substrate rod; and a filter located further downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod; wherein the aerosol-forming substrate rod and the filter are assembled inside the wrapper, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a first air intake zone located on the wrapper, the first air intake zone being configured to provide air intake into the interior space of the aerosol-generating article; an aerosol generating device having a distal end and a mouthpiece end, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises: a housing, wherein the housing defines a cavity of the device for removably containing an aerosol generating article at the mouthpiece end of the device; a heater for heating the aerosol-generating substrate when the aerosol-generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device; and an air flow channel passing between the channel inlet and the channel outlet, wherein the air flow channel is configured to create a 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 an aerosol generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device, a fluid communication is created between the internal space of the cavity of the device and the external part of the aerosol generating device by creating a fluid communication between the first air intake zone of the aerosol generating article placed inside the cavity of the device and the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device; additionally, the aerosol generating device comprises a peripheral wall defining a cavity of the device, and wherein when the aerosol generating article is placed inside the aerosol generating device, the sealing portion of the peripheral wall is designed to create a hermetic fit with a portion of the aerosol generating article in a position further downstream or earlier downstream relative to the first air intake zone of the aerosol generating article. 2. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid communication between the internal space of the aerosol generating device and the external part of the aerosol generating device is created by an outlet opening of the air flow channel of the aerosol generating device, which is located above the first air intake zone of the aerosol generating article, placed in the cavity of the device. 3. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the aerosol generating article is placed inside the cavity of the device, the upstream end of the aerosol generating article is blocked so as to substantially prevent air from entering the aerosol generating article through its upstream end. 4. An aerosol generating system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the cavity of the device increases from the said sealing portion of the peripheral wall in the direction towards the far end of the cavity of the device. 5. An aerosol generating system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aerosol generating device comprises a peripheral wall defining a cavity of the device, and wherein the aerosol generating device comprises a circular projection extending from the peripheral wall into the cavity of the device, wherein the circular projection is configured to create a sealed fit with a portion of the aerosol generating article when it is received in the aerosol generating device in a position downstream of the first air intake zone of the aerosol generating article. 6. An aerosol generating system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wrapper of the aerosol generating article comprises an air-impermeable material. 7. An aerosol generating system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first air intake zone is located along the rod of the aerosol-forming substrate. 8. An aerosol generating system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first air intake zone is located at least 2 mm further downstream relative to the upstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. 9. An aerosol generating system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter of the aerosol generating article comprises: a mouthpiece segment comprising a plug of filter material located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod; and a hollow tubular segment located between the mouthpiece segment and the aerosol-forming substrate core. 10. An aerosol generating system according to claim 9, characterized in that the first air intake zone is located along the hollow tubular segment. 11. An aerosol generating system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aerosol generating article comprises a second air intake zone located on the wrapper in a position downstream of the first air intake zone. 12. An aerosol generating system according to claim 11, characterized in that the second air intake zone is located in a position at least 1 mm further downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate rod. 13. An aerosol generating system according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the level of air intake into the interior space of the aerosol generating product through the first air intake zone is adjusted in such a way as to be greater than the level of air intake into the interior space of the aerosol generating product through the second air intake zone. 14. An aerosol generating system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air intake zone comprises a plurality of openings passing through the wrapper.