WO2019021119A1

WO2019021119A1 - Heat transfer adaptor for aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: WO2019021119A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/055363
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tony Reevell
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2017-07-25
Filing date: 2018-07-18
Publication date: 2019-01-31

Abstract

An adaptor (400) for use with an aerosol generating device includes a thermally conductive sleeve (420) defining a cavity (425) configured to receive and surround an elongate heating element (230) of the aerosol generating device (200). The elongate heating element extends in a receptacle (220) of the device configured to receive an aerosol generating article (100). The sleeve of the adaptor has a length greater than the distance that the heating element extends into the receptacle. The sleeve transfers heat from the heating element to aerosol generating substrate of the article when the article is retained in the receptacle of the device.

Description

HEAT TRANSFER ADAPTOR FOR AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

The present disclosure relates to aerosol generating devices for use with aerosol generating articles having an aerosol generating substrate such as a tobacco substrate; and more particularly to adaptors for extending the length of a heating element of aerosol generating devices.

Preferably, the aerosol generating devices are configured to sufficiently heat the substrate to cause generation of an aerosol, without combusting the substrate. These are known as "heat- not-burn" devices. Heat-not-burn devices sufficiently heat the aerosol generating substrate to produce aerosol for delivery to a user. Because the substrate is not combusted, by-products of combustion and pyrolysis are not included in the aerosol, and thus are not delivered to the user for inhalation.

One commercially available heat-not-burn device is the Philip Morris International IQOS heating device, which heats Heatstick tobacco-containing articles that resemble conventional cigarettes. The IQOS heating device includes a heating blade that pierces the Heatstick to contact and heat the tobacco substrate within. The Heatstick tobacco-containing articles include a tobacco plug having a crimped tobacco sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations.

Heatsticks tobacco-containing articles and similar articles are manufactured under stringent conditions to ensure proper heating and flavour delivery when used with their corresponding aerosol generating heating device. High quality tobaccos and blends are used, and a variety of flavours are offered.

However, the choice and variety of aerosol-generating article for use with such heat-not- burn articles is still limited. In addition, the size and shape of the aerosol generating article, in particularthe portion of the article containing the aerosol generating substrate, is often determined by the characteristics of the devices in which they are to be used.

It would be desirable to provide a consumer with a broader array of options of aerosol generating articles that may be used with a particular aerosol generating device.

In various aspects of the present invention there is provided an adaptor for use with an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device comprises a receptacle and an elongate heating element extending into the receptacle. The receptacle may be any suitable shape and size. Preferably the receptacle is cylindrical. Preferably the receptacle includes a cylindrical outer wall, one open end and one closed end. The receptacle is configured to receive an aerosol generating article. Preferably, the aerosol generating article has a wrapper circumscribing a rod comprising a tobacco-containing aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the aerosol generating article may be a Heatstick tobacco-containing article or a similar article. In an aspect of the present invention, the receptacle is also configured to receive the adaptor. The aerosol generating article or the adaptor may be inserted into the receptacle through the open end of the receptacle.

The adaptor comprises a base configured to be inserted not the receptacle of the aerosol generating device. The adaptor comprises a thermally conductive sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve extends from the base. The sleeve has a length greaterthan the distance that the heating element extends into the receptacle. The sleeve defines a cavity configured to receive and surround the elongate heating element of the aerosol generating device when the based is inserted into the receptacle of the aerosol generating device. When the adaptor is inserted into the receptacle of the aerosol generating device, the sleeve passes over the elongate heating element, such that the heating element is received in the cavity of the sleeve. In this position, the sleeve defines an extended heating element. An aerosol generating article may be inserted into the receptacle and may be penetrated or pierced by the sleeve. In other word, the sleeve is configured to be insertable into the rod comprising the tobacco containing aerosol-generating substrate and to transfer heat from the heating element to the aerosol-generating substrate.

In use, heat from the heating element of the device is transferred to the sleeve, and subsequently to the aerosol generating article around the sleeve, such that the aerosol generating substrate is heated. As the sleeve may effectively extends the length of the heating element, the adaptor allows aerosol generating articles having longer sections of aerosol generating substrate to be efficiently employed with the device. In addition or alternatively, aerosol generating articles having other configurations and form factors may be employed, depending on the shape and size of the adaptor.

In some examples, the adaptor is incorporated into the aerosol generating article. For example, the aerosol generating article may comprise a container housing the adaptor and the aerosol generating substrate. For example, the container may comprise a wrapper that circumscribes the aerosol generating substrate and the sleeve of the adaptor. Preferably, the sleeve of the adaptor is in direct contact with the aerosol generating substrate, but may be spaced apart from the aerosol generating substrate.

The adaptors described in the present disclosure may provide a convenient way for a user to configure a given aerosol generating device for use with a variety of aerosol generating articles. Various adaptors may be used with a single aerosol generating device for increasing the number of different consumable aerosol generating articles that may be employed with the device, thereby increasing functionality and usefulness of the device.

The adaptors described in the present disclosure may be used with any suitable aerosol generating device, but are particularly well suited for use with aerosol generating devices that have a receptacle configured to receive an aerosol generating article and have an elongate heating element that extends into the receptacle. The aerosol generating device may comprise any suitable heating element. The heating element may comprise a resistive heating element, an inductive heating element, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the heating element comprises a resistive heating element. The heating element may comprise a resistive heating component, such as one or more resistive wires or other resistive elements. The resistive wires may be in contact with a thermally conductive material to distribute heat produced over a broader area. Examples of suitable conductive materials include aluminium, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, and combinations thereof. For purposes of this disclosure, if resistive wires are in contact with a thermally conductive material, both the resistive wires and the thermally conductive material are part of the heating element.

The heating element may comprise an inductive heating element. For example, the heating element may comprise a susceptor material. As used herein, the term 'susceptor' refers to a material that is capable to convert electromagnetic energy into heat. When located in an alternating electromagnetic field, typically eddy currents are induced and hysteresis losses may occur in the susceptor causing heating of the susceptor.

The susceptor may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating substrate. Preferred susceptors comprise a metal or carbon. A preferred susceptor may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, for example ferritic iron, a ferromagnetic alloy, such as ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel, and ferrite. A suitable susceptor may be, or comprise, aluminium.

Preferred susceptors are metal susceptors, for example stainless steel. However, susceptor materials may also comprise or be made of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, aluminum, niobium, Inconel alloys (austenite nickel-chromium-based superalloys), metallized films, ceramics such as for example zirconia, transition metals such as for example Fe, Co, Ni, or metalloids components such as for example B, C, Si, P, Al.

A susceptor preferably comprises more than 5%, preferably more than 20%, preferably more than 50% or 90% of ferromagnetic or paramagnetic materials. Preferred susceptors may be heated to a temperature in excess of 250 degrees Celsius. Suitable susceptors may comprise a non-metallic core with a metal layer disposed on the non-metallic core, for example metallic tracks formed on a surface of a ceramic core.

If the heating element comprises a susceptor, the device may also comprise one or more induction coils configured to induce eddy currents and/or hysteresis losses in the susceptor material, which results in heating of the susceptor material.

The aerosol generating device may comprise control electronics operably coupled to the resistive heating element or induction coil. The control electronics are configured to control heating of the heating element. The control electronics may be internal to the housing. The control electronics may be provided in any suitable form and may, for example, include a controller or a memory and a controller. The controller may include one or more of an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) state machine, a digital signal processor, a gate array, a microprocessor, or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. Control electronics may include memory that contains instructions that cause one or more components of the circuitry to carry out a function or aspect of the control electronics. Functions attributable to control electronics in this disclosure may be embodied as one or more of software, firmware, and hardware.

The electronic circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The electronic circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power. The power may be supplied to the heater element or induction coil in the form of pulses of electrical current.

If the heating element is a resistive heating element, the control electronics may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and to control the supply of power to the heating element depending on the electrical resistance of the heating element. In this manner, the control electronics may regulate the temperature of the resistive element.

If the heating components comprise an induction coil and the heating element comprises a susceptor material, the control electronics may be configured to monitor aspect of the induction coil and to control the supply of power to the induction coil depending on the aspects of the coil such as described in, for example, WO 2015/177255. In this manner, the control electronics may regulate the temperature of the susceptor material.

The aerosol generating device may comprise a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple, operably coupled to the control electronics to control the temperature of the heating elements. The temperature sensor may be positioned in any suitable location. For example, the temperature sensor may be configured to insert into the aerosol generating substrate or in contact or proximity with the heating element. The sensor may transmit signals regarding the sensed temperature to the control electronics, which may adjust heating of the heating elements to achieve a suitable temperature at the sensor. Regardless of whether the aerosol generating device includes a temperature sensor, the device is preferably configured to heat an aerosol generating substrate of an aerosol generating article received in the receptacle to an extent sufficient to generate an aerosol without combusting the aerosol generating substrate.

The control electronics may be operably coupled to a power supply, which may be internal to the housing. The aerosol generating device may comprise any suitable power supply. For example, a power supply of an aerosol generating device may be a battery, or set of batteries. The batteries maybe rechargeable, as well as removable and replaceable. Any suitable battery may be used.

Any suitable adaptor configuration may be used with the aerosol generating device to allow a variety of aerosol generating articles to be employed with the device. The adaptor comprises a sleeve defining a cavity configured to receive the elongate heating element of the aerosol generating device when the adapter is inserted into the receptacle of the device. The sleeve is configured to surround the elongate heating element. Preferably, the sleeve has a length that is greater than the distance that the heating element extends into the cavity of the device. Accordingly, sleeve may extend the effective length of the heating element.

The sleeve comprises thermally conductive material to transfer heat from the heating element to aerosol generating substrate of an aerosol generating article that is received by the receptacle of the device and is disposed about the sleeve. The sleeve may comprise any suitable thermally conductive material. Examples of suitable conductive materials include, but are not limited to, aluminium, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, and combinations thereof.

As used herein, "thermally conductive" refers to a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W/m.k, preferably at least 40 W/m.k, more preferably at least 100 W/m.k at 23 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 50%. In preferred embodiments, the sleeve comprises material having a thermal conductivity of at least 40 W/m.k, preferably at least 100 W/m.k, more preferably at least 150 W/m.k, and even more preferably at least 200 W/m.k at 23 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 50%.

Preferably, the heating element directly contacts the sleeve when the heating element is inserted into the cavity of the sleeve. Alternatively, there may be a separation between the heating element and the sleeve of the adaptor. When there is a separation, the heating element may be sufficiently close to the sleeve to heat the sleeve, such that the sleeve may heat the aerosol generating substrate.

The sleeve may have any suitable mass. In some example, the mass of the sleeve is as small as practicable so that the sleeve may heat rapidly as the heating element heats. In some examples, the sleeve may have increased thermal mass. While sleeves with increased thermal mass may take longer to heat up, they may retain heat for longer periods of time and may provide a more regulated heating effect.

The sleeve may be sufficiently porous to allow air to pass from the cavity through a wall forming the cavity. Preferably, the sleeve is non-porous, so no air passes through it.

The sleeve of the adaptor may be of any suitable length and may depend on the length of the heating element of the aerosol generating device and the length of the portion of the aerosol generating article that contains the aerosol generating substrate. Preferably, the sleeve has a length about the same as the length of the portion of the aerosol generating article that contains the aerosol generating substrate with which the adaptor is configured to be used.

In some examples, the length of the sleeve is about 1 .5 times or more greater than the distance that the heating element extends into the receptacle, such as about 2 times the distance that the heating element extends into the receptacle. The sleeve may have a length, for example, in a range from about 5 mm to about 30 mm, such as about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or about 10 mm to about 15 mm.

The sleeve may have any suitable width. The sleeve may have a width less than an inner diameter of the receptacle of the device. The sleeve may have a width less than an outer diameter of an article into which it may be inserted, and larger than the width of the heating element about which the sleeve is configured to be disposed. For example, the sleeve may have a width in a range from about 0.5 mm to about 9 mm; preferably from about 1 mm to about 5 mm.

The sleeve of the adaptor may have any suitable thickness. The thickness of the sleeve may be determined by the desired thermal mass of the sleeve and by the mode of operation of the sleeve. For example, if the sleeve is configured to penetrate the aerosol generating article to be placed in contact with aerosol generating substrate in a manner similar to a heating blade, the thickness of the sleeve is preferably relatively small. A thin sleeve requires less force to penetrate an aerosol generating substrate that a thicker sleeve because less substrate material needs to be displaced. Alternatively, if the aerosol generating article defines a cavity configured to receive the sleeve, the thickness of the sleeve may be relatively large. In this alternative embodiment, there is no need to penetrate the aerosol generating substrate, so there is no need to minimise the thickness of the sleeve. In some examples, the sleeve has a thickness from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm, such as from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm.

The adaptor preferably comprises a base. The base may be configured to engage the receptacle of the aerosol generating device by interference fit to retain the adaptor in the receptacle during use. The base may be of any suitable size and shape. The dimensions and shape of the base may be determined by the internal dimensions and shape of the receptacle of the aerosol generating device. In some examples, the base of the adaptor has a diameter in a range from about 5 mm to about 10 mm. As used herein, "diameter" refers to a maximum distance across a transverse section (normal to the longitudinal axis). The cross-sectional shape of the base is preferably circular, but may be any other suitable shape.

The base defines a slot configured to receive the elongate heating element of the aerosol generating device. The sleeve extends from the base. The cavity of the sleeve is in communication with the slot of the base, such that, as the adaptor is inserted into the receptacle of the aerosol generating device, the heating element extends through the slot of the base and into the cavity of the sleeve.

If the adaptor includes a base, the aerosol generating article may abut the base. The base and the aerosol generating article may have substantially similar diameters. The base may be configured to abut the closed end of the receptacle The base may define a plurality of apertures. The apertures may be of a size suitable to allow air flow through them. In this configuration, when an aerosol generating article abuts the base, air may flow through the base and through the article when a consumer draws on the mouth end of the article.

In some examples, the adaptor is incorporated into the aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article may comprise a container in which the aerosol generating substrate is disposed. The sleeve of the adaptor is in thermal contact with the aerosol generating substrate.

The sleeve is positioned in the article such that, when the article is inserted into the receptacle of the aerosol generating device, the elongate heating element is received in the cavity of the sleeve.

Preferably, the cavity of the sleeve is exposed at an end of the aerosol generating device opposing the mouth end of the aerosol generating article. The sleeve may be formed of a thermally conductive foil or other suitable material.

The aerosol generating article may comprise a filter upstream of the aerosol generating substrate. For example, the filter may be proximate a mouth end of the aerosol generating article. Any suitable filter, such as cellulose acetate tow, may be used. The filter may be wrapped in plug wrap. The filter may be coaxiaily aligned with a rod of aerosol generating substrate, and the filter and rod may be held together with, for example, tipping paper.

The aerosol generating article may also comprise an aerosol cooling element downstream of the aerosol generating substrate. As used herein, 'aerosol-cooling element' refers to a component of an aerosol-generating article located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate such that, in use, an aerosol formed by volatile compounds released from the aerosol-forming substrate passes through and is cooled by the aerosol cooling element before being inhaled by a user. Any suitable aerosol cooling element known in the art may be employed. For example, aerosol cooling elements disclosed in EP2814342 B1 may be incorporated into aerosol generating articles of the present disclosure.

The aerosol generating article may also comprise a hollow tube between the aerosol generating substrate and the aerosol cooling element. Any suitable hollow tube known in the art may be employed. For example, hollow tubes, such as cellulose acetate hollow tubes, disclosed in EP2814342 B1 may be incorporated into aerosol generating articles of the present disclosure. in some examples, the aerosol generating article comprises an aerosol generating substrate, a hollow tube, an aerosol-cooling element, and a mouthpiece filter. These four elements may be arranged sequentially and in coaxial alignment and may be assembled by a cigarette paper to form a rod. The rod has a mouth-end, which a user inserts into his or her mouth during use, and a distal end located at the opposite end of the rod to the mouth end. Elements located between the mouth-end and the distal end can be described as being upstream of the mouth-end or, alternatively, downstream of the distal end. If the article includes an adaptor, the cavity of the sleeve of the adaptor is preferably open to the distal end, and the sleeve is preferably in direct contact with the aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating article may comprise any suitable aerosol generating substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds when heated. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise nicotine. The nicotine containing aerosol generating substrate may comprise a nicotine salt matrix. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise plant-based material. The aerosol- generating substrate may comprise tobacco, and preferably the tobacco-containing material contains volatile tobacco flavor compounds, which are released from the aerosol generating substrate upon heating.

The aerosol generating substrate may comprise homogenized tobacco material. Homogenized tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. Where present, the homogenized tobacco material may have an aerosol-former content of equal to or greaier than 5% on a dry weight basis, and preferably between greater than 5% and 30% by weight on a dry weight basis.

The aerosol generating substrate may alternatively or additionally comprise a non- tobacco-containing material. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise homogenized plant- based material.

The aerosol generating substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets containing one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco and expanded tobacco. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. The aerosol- former may be any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense and stable aerosol and that is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating device. Suitable aerosol-formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or poiycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Particularly preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and, most preferred, glycerine. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavorants. The aerosol generating substrate preferably comprises nicotine and at least one aerosol-former. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol-former is glycerine.

The aerosol generating substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier is a tubular carrier having a thin layer of the solid substrate deposited on its inner surface, or on its outer surface, or on both its inner and outer surfaces. Such a tubular carrier may be formed of, for example, a paper, or paper like material, a non-woven carbon fiber mat, a low mass open mesh metallic screen, or a perforated metallic foil or any other thermally stable polymer matrix. Alternatively, the carrier may take the form of powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets. The carrier may be a non-woven fabric or fiber bundle into which tobacco components have been incorporated. The non-woven fabric or fiber bundle may comprise, for example, carbon fibers, natural cellulose fibers, or cellulose derivative fibers. Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components, steps and the like. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number. In addition, the use of different numbers to refer to components in different figures is not intended to indicate that the different numbered components cannot be the same or similar to other numbered components. The figures are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Schematic drawings presented in the figures are not necessarily to scale. FIG. 1A is a schematic sectional view of an aerosol generating article ready for insertion into, and of an adaptor of the present invention retained within, an aerosol generating device.

FIG. 1 B is a schematic sectional view of the aerosol generating article and the adaptor depicted in FIG. 1A retained within the aerosol generating device.

FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of an adaptor of the present invention. FIG. 2B is an alternate schematic perspective view of the adaptor depicted in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of the adapter depicted in FIGS. 2A-B prior to placement in a receptacle of an aerosol generating device.

FIG. 3B is an alternate schematic perspective view of the adapter and receptacle depicted in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a schematic perspective view of the adapter depicted in FIGS. 3A-B received in the receptacle.

FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of an adaptor of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is an alternate schematic perspective view of the adaptor depicted in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a schematic sectional view of an aerosol generating article comprising an adaptor of the present invention and ready for insertion into an aerosol generating device.

FIG. 5B is a schematic sectional view of the aerosol generating article comprising the adaptor depicted in FIG. 5A retained within the aerosol generating device. Referring now to FIGS. 1A-B, an aerosol generating article 100 is shown ready for introduction into a receptacle 220 of an aerosol generating device 200 (FIG. 1A) and retained within the device (FIG. 1 B). An adaptor 400 is disposed in a receptacle 220 and about a heating element 230 of the device 200. The adaptor comprises a thermally conductive sleeve defining a cavity 425 into which the heating element 230 is inserted.

The device 200 includes a housing 210 defining the receptacle 220, which is configured to receive the aerosol generating article 100. The device 200 also includes the elongate heating element 230 extending into the receptacle 220. The heating element 230 may comprise an electrically resistive heating component. In addition, the device 200 includes a power supply 240 and control electronics 250 that cooperate to control heating of heating element 230.

The aerosol generating article 100 comprises an aerosol generating substrate 300, a hollow cellulose acetate tube 120, an aerosol cooling element 130, and a filter 140. These four elements are arranged sequentially and in coaxial alignment and are surrounded by a cigarette paper 110 to form a rod. The rod has a mouth-end proximate the filter 140, which a user inserts into his or her mouth during use, and a distal end located at the opposite end of the rod to the mouth end.

As the aerosol generating article 100 is inserted into the receptacle 220, the sleeve of the adaptor 400 penetrates into the article 100 to contact the aerosol generating substrate 300. In use, heat from the heating element 230 is transferred through the sleeve of the adaptor 400 to the substrate 300. The substrate is preferably sufficiently heated to produce an aerosol without combusting the substrate. A user may draw on the mouth end of the article 100 to cause air to flow through the article 100 and entrain the aerosol for delivery to the user for inhalation.

The adaptor 400 has a length greater than the distance that the heating element 230 extends into the receptacle 220. Accordingly, the aerosol generating substrate 300 in the article 100 that extends beyond the receptacle 220 may be effectively heated to produce aerosol when used with the adaptor 400. Without use of the adaptor 400 such portions of the aerosol generating substrate 300 located at such distances from the heating element 230 might not be effectively heated. Thus, the adaptor 400 permits effective use of the aerosol generating article 100 with the aerosol generating device 200 when the device 200 and article 100 would otherwise be at least partially incompatible.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-B, alternate views of an example of an adaptor 400 are shown. The adaptor 400 includes a base 410 and a sleeve 420. The base 410 defines a slot 415 configured to receive an elongate heating element of an aerosol generating device. The sleeve 420 comprises a cavity in communication with the slot 415 such that insertion of the heating element through the slot 415 causes the heating element to be inserted into the cavity of the sleeve 420. The base 410 defines a plurality of apertures 413 that permit flow of air through the base 410 via the apertures 413. In use, a distal end of the aerosol generating article may abut the base 410, and the apertures 413 permit air flow through the article when a user draws on the mouth end of the article.

FIGS. 3A-B show an adaptor 400 ready for insertion into a receptacle 220 of an aerosol generating device 200, and FIG. 3C shows the adaptor 400 retained in the receptacle 220. Only the portion of the housing 210 of the device 200 forming the receptacle 220 is shown in FIGS. 3A-C, and the housing 210 is shown as transparent for purposes of illustration. The device 200 includes an elongate heating element 230 extending into the receptacle 220. The adaptor 400 is configured to be received by the receptacle 220. The base 410 of the adaptor 400 defines a slot for receiving the heating element 230 when the adaptor 400 is received by the receptacle 220. The heating element 230 extends into a cavity of the sleeve 420, which is in communication with the slot, when the adaptor 400 is retained in the receptacle 220. The base 410 of the adaptor 400 preferably engages the device 200 in the receptacle 220 via interference fit.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-B, alternate views of an example of an adaptor 400 are shown. The adaptor 400 includes a base 410 and a sleeve 420. The base 410 defines a slot 415 configured to receive an elongate heating element of an aerosol generating device. The sleeve 420 comprises a cavity in communication with the slot 415 such that insertion of the heating element through the slot 415 causes the heating element to be inserted into the cavity of the sleeve 420. The base 410 defines a plurality of apertures 413 that permit flow of air through the base 410 via the apertures 413. In use, a distal end of the aerosol generating article may abut the base 410, and the apertures 413 permit air flow through the article when a user draws on the mouth end of the article. The base 410 of the adaptor 400 preferably engages the device 200 in the receptacle 220 via interference fit.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-B, an aerosol generating article 100 is shown ready for introduction into a receptacle 220 of an aerosol generating device 200 (FIG. 1A) and retained within the device (FIG. 1 B). The aerosol generating article 100 comprises an aerosol generating substrate 300, a hollow cellulose acetate tube 120, an aerosol cooling element 130, and a filter 140. These four elements are arranged sequentially and in coaxial alignment and are surrounded by a cigarette paper 110 to form a rod. The rod has a mouth-end proximate the filter 140, which a user inserts into his or her mouth during use, and a distai end located at the opposite end of the rod to the mouth end.

The aerosol generating article 100 also comprises an adaptor 400 having a cavity 425 defined by a sleeve. The cavity 425 is configured to receive the heating element 230 when the article 100 is inserted in the receptacle 220 of the device 200. The cavity 425 is exposed at the distal end of the article 100. The sleeve of the adaptor 400 is in contact with the aerosol generating substrate. The sleeve may be formed from thermally conductive foil or other suitable material.

When the article 100 is retained by the device 200 and the device 200 is in use, heat from the heating element 230 is transferred through the sleeve of the adaptor 400 to the substrate 300. The substrate is preferably sufficiently heated to produce an aerosol without combusting the substrate. A user may draw on the mouth end of the article 100 to cause air to flow through the article 100 and entrain the aerosol for delivery to the user for inhalation.

All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, "have", "having", "include", "including", "comprise", "comprising" or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean "including, but not limited to". It will be understood that "consisting essentially of, "consisting of, and the like are subsumed in "comprising," and the like.

The words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

Any direction referred to herein, such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," and other directions or orientations are described herein for clarity and brevity are not intended to be limiting of an actual device or system. Devices and systems described herein may be used in a number of directions and orientations.

The embodiments exemplified above are not limiting. Other embodiments consistent with the embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1 . An adaptor for an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising a receptacle configured to receive an aerosol-generating article having a wrapper circumscribing a rod comprising a tobacco-containing aerosol-generating substrate, and the aerosol generating device comprising an elongate heating element extending into the receptacle, the adaptor comprising:

a base configured to be inserted into the receptacle of the aerosol-generating device; and

a thermally conductive sleeve extending from the base and defining a cavity configured to receive and surround the elongate heating element of the aerosol generating device when the based is inserted into the receptacle of the aerosol-generating device,

wherein the sleeve is configured to be insertable into the rod comprising the tobacco containing aerosol-generating substrate and to transfer heat from the heating element to the aerosol-generating substrate, and

wherein the sleeve has a length greater than the distance that the heating element extends into the receptacle.

2. An adaptor according to claim 1 , wherein the thermally conductive sleeve is configured to contact the heating element when the heating element is received in the sleeve.

3. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base comprises a slot configured to receive the elongate heating element, wherein the sleeve extends from the base.

4. An adaptor according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the base defines a plurality of

apertures.

5. An adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is configured to engage the receptacle of the aerosol generating device by interference fit.

6. An adaptor according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein the sleeve has a cavity, which is in communication with the slot in the base.

7. An adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermally

conductive sleeve is at least 1 .5 times longer than the distance that the heating element extends into the receptacle.

8. An adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve has a length in a range from about 5 mm to about 30 mm.

9. An adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve has a length in a range from about 10 mm to about 15 mm.

10. A system, comprising:

an aerosol generating device comprising a receptacle and an elongate heating element extending into the receptacle; and

an adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims.

1 1 . A system according to claim 10, wherein the aerosol generating device is configured to control the temperature of the heating element such that an aerosol generating substrate of an aerosol generating article used with the device will be heated but not combusted.

12. A system according to claim 10 or 1 1 , further comprising an aerosol generating article configured to be received by the receptacle of the aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a wrapper circumscribing a rod comprising a tobacco containing aerosol-generating substrate, and wherein the rod is configured to be penetrated by the sleeve of the adaptor when received in the receptacle.

13. An aerosol generating article, comprising:

a wrapper circumscribing a rod comprising a tobacco containing aerosol-generating substrate; and an adaptor according to any one of claims 1 -9 in thermal contact with the aerosol generating substrate.