WO2026003121A1

WO2026003121A1 - Aerosol-forming article and aerosol-forming device

Info

Publication number: WO2026003121A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/067983
Authority: WO
Inventors: Serge LOPEZ; Teemu Henrik MÄÄTTÄNEN
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2024-06-25
Filing date: 2025-06-25
Publication date: 2026-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-25

Abstract

An aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article (20) including an aerosol-forming substrate (23), the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, the device comprising a heating chamber for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, the heating chamber defining an insertion direction and a convective air heater assembly arranged upstream of the heating chamber, the convective air heater including a resistive heater element (71) extending therein, the convective air heater being in fluidic connection with the heating chamber, wherein the convective air heater assembly includes two air heating channels (73) leading from each side of the aerosol-forming device to a central air channel, the central air channel leading fluidically to an air inlet of the aerosol-forming article, wherein the resistive heater element extends through the two air heating channels.

Description

AEROSOL-FORMING ARTICLE AND AEROSOL-FORMING DEVICE

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of aerosol-forming systems and devices for generating aerosol, also referred to as aerosol-generating systems and devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to electronic aerosol-forming systems, devices, and articles configured to generate aerosol inhalable by a user and/or to generate nicotine-containing aerosol. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol-forming device with housing parts that are movable relative to each other, to an aerosol-forming system comprising such aerosol-forming device, and to use of such aerosol-forming device and/or system. Further, the present disclosure relates to a method of loading an aerosol-forming article into a heating chamber of an aerosolforming device.

Aerosol-forming or aerosol-generating devices are typically designed as handheld devices that can be used by a user for consuming or experiencing, for instance in one or more usage sessions, aerosol generated from an aerosol-forming substrate or an aerosol-forming article, for example by heating. The aerosol-forming devices the present disclosure pertains to are mainly directed to the field of tobacco and tobacco-substitute products, as well as e-vapor devices, for example heated tobacco products (HTP), heat-not-burn devices, electronic cigarettes, e-vapor devices, and/or vaporisers. The aerosol-forming devices of the present disclosure may also pertain to other types of inhalers, dispensers, or atomizers, for example inhalers, dispensers, or atomizers for medical applications.

Typical aerosol-forming systems can be designed as one-part systems or devices including an aerosol-forming device that can be operated by a user to generate aerosol. Alternatively, aerosol-forming systems can be designed as two-part systems or devices comprising an aerosolforming device and a companion device for storing and/or charging the aerosol-forming device. In either design or configuration, the aerosol-forming system or device can be used by a user for consuming or inhaling, for instance in one or more usage sessions, aerosol generated based on heating an aerosol-forming article or substrate couplable to the aerosol-forming system. In the context of the present disclosure, an aerosol-forming device can refer to both a one-part device and a two-part device, unless explicitly specified otherwise.

The aerosol-forming article, also referred to as aerosol-generating article, can comprise an aerosol-generating or aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco or nicotine-containing substrate. The aerosol-forming article may be configured in shape and size to be inserted at least partially into the aerosol-forming device or system. In conventional systems or devices, the aerosol-forming article is usually formed as a stick that can be at least partly inserted into a cavity or heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device for aerosol consumption. Insertion of the sticklike shaped aerosol-forming article into the cavity, however, can potentially damage the aerosolforming article, which may potentially affect an experience for a user, for example in terms of taste or homogeneity of the experience. Also, inserting the aerosol-forming article into and removing it from the cavity of conventional systems may, at least for some users or in certain scenarios, be cumbersome.

Exemplary aerosol-forming substrates can comprise solid substrate material, such as tobacco material or tobacco cast leaves (TCL) material. The substrate material can, for example, be assembled, often with other elements or components, to form a substantially stick-shaped aerosol-forming article. Such a stick or aerosol-forming article can be configured in shape and size to be inserted at least partially into the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may comprise a heating element or heater device for heating the aerosol-forming article and/or the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element or heater device may be part of the aerosolforming article and/or the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively or additionally, aerosol-forming substrates can comprise one or more liquids and/or solids, which can, for example, be supplied to the aerosol-forming device in the form of a cartridge or container. Corresponding exemplary aerosol-forming articles can, for example, comprise a cartridge containing or fillable with the liquid and/or solid substrate, which can be vaporized during aerosol consumption by the user based on heating the substrate and/or liquid. Usually, such cartridge or container can be coupled to, attached to or at least partially inserted into the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively, the cartridge may be fixedly mounted to the aerosol-forming device and refilled by inserting liquid and/or solid into the cartridge.

The aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate or article may comprise or include one or more of nicotine, aroma, sugar, moisturising agent, botanicals, preservative, flavouring, for example cocoa, liquorice, menthol and lactic acid or other additives. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate or article may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more pharmaceutical agents or drugs and may include one or more adjuvants.

For generating the aerosol during use or consumption, heat can be supplied by a heating element, heater device or heat source to heat at least a portion or part of the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element, heater device or heat source can be arranged in the handheld device or a handheld part of the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively or additionally, at least a part of or the entire heating element or heater device or heat source can be fixedly associated with or arranged within an aerosol-forming article, for instance in the form of a stick or cartridge, which can be attached to and/or powered by the handheld device or handheld part of the aerosolforming device.

Exemplary heating elements or heater devices can be based on one or more of resistive heating, inductive heating and microwave heating using electrical energy supplied via, drawn from or stored in an energy storage or battery of the aerosol-forming device. As used herein, a battery of the aerosol-forming device can generally refer to an energy storage of the aerosol-forming device configured to store electrical energy. Accordingly, the term energy storage can include one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, one or more accumulators or other types of energy storage. Also, any reference to a battery herein can include a plurality of batteries.

Typically, aerosol-forming devices comprise an energy storage, for example a battery, providing the electrical energy needed to operate the aerosol-forming device and especially for heating the aerosol-forming substrate and/or article, for example to generate aerosol in one or more usage sessions using one or more aerosol-forming articles. The battery may, for example, be a lithium-ion battery.

As used herein, a usage session may refer to a period of time, during which a user may use the device to generate, consume, experience or inhale aerosol using the aerosol-forming device. Therein, a usage session may be finite. In other words, a usage session may have a start, an end and a duration. The duration of the usage session as measured by time may be influenced by use during the usage session. The duration of the usage session may have a maximum duration determined by a maximum time from the start of the usage session. The duration of the usage session may be less than the maximum time if one or more monitored parameters reaches a predetermined threshold before the maximum time from the start of the usage session. By way of example, the one or more monitored parameters may comprise one or more of: i) a cumulative puff count of a series of puffs drawn by a user since the start of the usage session, and ii) a cumulative volume of aerosol evolved from the aerosol-forming substrate since the start of the usage session.

The sticks used as aerosol-forming articles may be predominantly based on cylindrical rodshape embodiments, following the traditional concepts from conventional tobacco containing products (TCP), and its manufacturing, for example rod-making technologies. Cylindrical rodshape consumables may be designed for use with devices having tubular cavities, which may use several heating technologies (induction and resistive are common, and there also exists infrared heating, microwave heating, etc) to generate a heated temperature profile for aerosolization of the consumable. The cylindrical consumable geometry, however, may result in non-uniform heat distribution along the radial direction of its cross section. This, in turn, may negatively influence the aerosol quality provided by these devices and may also lead to non-uniform and incomplete depletion of the aerosol-forming article, i.e. a waste of substrate.

It may therefore be desirable to provide for an improved aerosol-forming device and system, which overcomes or at least mitigates the drawbacks of conventional systems, for example which allows for safe insertion of an aerosol-forming article into and/or removal from an aerosol-forming device. For example, it may be desirable to provide for an improved aerosol-forming device using an improved aerosol-forming article, ensuring a more uniform heat distribution in the aerosolforming article and improving aerosol quality and user experience. These advantages may be achieved by the features described herein.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an aerosol-forming device, an aerosol-forming system, use of such system and/or device, and to a method of loading an aerosol-forming article into an aerosol-forming device. It is noted that any disclosure presented herein with reference to one or an aspect of the present disclosure, equally applies to any other aspect of the present disclosure, unless explicitly stated otherwise. In particular, it is emphasized that any disclosure presented herein with respect to an aerosol-forming device equally applies to an aerosol-forming system comprising such aerosol-forming device and an aerosol-forming article, and optionally comprising a companion device configured to charge the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy and/or store the aerosol-forming device.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces or surfaces, which may also be referred to as large surfaces or faces of the aerosol-forming article, two opposing side faces or surfaces, also referred to herein as lateral or small surfaces or faces of the aerosol-forming article, and two opposing end faces or surfaces. The aerosol-forming article includes an aerosol-forming substrate arranged between the opposing main faces. Further, the aerosol-forming article may comprise an upstream air inlet and a downstream aerosol outlet located on the two opposing end faces. The aerosol-forming device comprises a main air inlet for receiving an airflow from an outside. The outside may refer to an exterior environment or surrounding of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a downstream element removably or fixedly attachable to a mouthpiece of the aerosol-forming device, wherein the downstream element includes a downstream air channel. The downstream element may also be referred to herein as second housing part or as mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a device body, also referred to herein as body portion or first housing part of the aerosol-forming device, wherein the body part includes a heating chamber, which defines an insertion direction for at least partly inserting an aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a first air path structure with two parallelly arranged first air channels fluidically connected or coupled to the main air inlet, the first air channels running in parallel to the heating chamber on two opposing sides thereof. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a second air path structure arranged and/or configured to redirect the air flow from the two parallelly arranged first air channels to a center axis of the aerosol-forming device. The center axis (also referred to as central axis) may be coaxial to or define a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a center upstream air channel for fluidically connecting the second airpath structure with an upstream inlet of the aerosol-forming article. The upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article may also be referred to herein as air inlet or inlet of the aerosol-forming device.

The configuration and design of the aerosol-forming device with main air inlet or device air inlet, the downstream element, the first and second airpath structures, and the center upstream air channel can advantageously allow to draw fresh air into the device, which may result in an airflow passing through the aerosol-forming article to enrich the air or airflow with aerosol generated, for example, based on heating the aerosol-forming article in the heating chamber. The airflow path or channel of the device will be described in more detail in the Figures, making reference to several airflow path portions. However, this terminology is used for explanatory purposes only and refers to the same airflow path described here and in other parts of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" may describe the relative positions of components or elements of the aerosol-forming device in relation to the direction of the airflow, for example, an airflow through the aerosol-generating article. The airflow through the article may refer to the flow through the article, when placed in the aerosol-generating device. The airflow through the aerosol-forming article, for example from upstream to downstream, may be substantially directed along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device and/or article. The airflow through the aerosol-forming article may, for example, correspond to a net airflow through the aerosol-forming device.

As used herein, “upstream” may refer to a location that comes before a particular point of reference in the direction of the airflow. For example, an upstream part or element of the device may refer to a part or element where the air comes from before reaching the reference point. As used herein, “downstream” may refer to a location that comes after a particular point of reference in the direction of the airflow. For example, a downstream part or element of the device may refer to a part or element where the air goes or flows to after leaving the reference point.

The aerosol-forming device may have a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and a normal axis, each being transverse, in particular orthogonal, to each other. The longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the longitudinal axis and/or may extend from a proximal end or portion towards a distal end or portion of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the proximal end or portion may be associated with a mouthpiece portion or mouthpiece that may be contacted by a user’s mouth during aerosol generation or consumption. The longitudinal axis may be coaxial to or define a center axis and/or an insertion axis of the aerosol-forming device. Unless otherwise stated, a reference to a longitudinal axis may mean the center axis or longitudinal center axis. A transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the transverse axis, and a normal direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the normal axis. When the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device are both arranged, oriented or aligned in a horizontal plane, the normal axis of the aerosol-forming device defines a vertical axis of the aerosol-forming device. Therefore, the normal axis, respectively the normal direction may also be referred to herein as vertical axis, respectively as vertical direction of the aerosol-forming device.

The longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the heating chamber. The transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a transverse axis of the heating chamber. The normal axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a normal axis of the heating chamber.

Accordingly, at least when the aerosol-forming article is at least partly inserted in the heating chamber, the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming article. The transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a transverse axis of the aerosol-forming article. The normal axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a normal axis of the aerosol-forming article.

An extension, length or size of the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and/or the aerosol-forming article may be longer in longitudinal direction than in directions transverse, for example orthogonal, thereto. Specifically, the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and/or the aerosol-forming article, respectively, may have a length measured along the longitudinal direction or axis, a width measured along the transverse direction or axis, and a thickness or height measured along the normal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and/or the aerosol-forming article, respectively. Accordingly, the transverse axis may also be referred to herein as width axis, and the transverse direction may also be referred to herein as width direction. Further, the normal axis may also be referred to herein as height or thickness axis, and the normal direction may also be referred to herein as height or thickness direction of the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and/or the aerosol-forming article, respectively.

It is noted that any dimension size or extension, such as the length, width, thickness and height of one or more of the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and/or the aerosolforming article can refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance measured along the respective direction (e.g., longitudinal direction, transverse direction, normal direction) between two points, sides or ends of the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and/or the aerosolforming article.

For example, the length of the aerosol-forming device may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two ends or end surfaces of the aerosol-forming device opposing each other in longitudinal direction. The width of the aerosol-forming device may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two lateral surfaces or sides of the aerosolforming device opposing each other in transverse direction. The height or thickness of the aerosol- forming device may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two main surfaces or sides of the aerosol-forming device opposing each other in normal direction.

The length of the aerosol-forming article may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two ends or end surfaces of the aerosol-forming article opposing each other in longitudinal direction. The width of the aerosol-forming article may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two lateral surfaces or sides of the aerosol-forming article opposing each other in transverse direction. The height or thickness of the aerosol-forming article may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two main surfaces or sides of the aerosolforming article opposing each other in normal direction.

The length of the heating chamber may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two ends or end surfaces of the heating chamber opposing each other in longitudinal direction. The width of the heating chamber may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two lateral surfaces or sides of the heating chamber opposing each other in transverse direction. The height or thickness of the heating chamber may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two main surfaces or sides of the heating chamber opposing each other in normal direction.

Further, the longitudinal direction may define and/or may be parallel to an insertion direction, along which the aerosol-forming article may be inserted into the heating chamber. Accordingly, the longitudinal axis may define and/or may be parallel or coaxial to an insertion axis.

For example, the aerosol-forming article may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming article may be plate-like or cuboid formed. The aerosol-forming article may comprise two opposing main surfaces, which may be substantially flat. When the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device, a surface normal vector of the two opposing main surfaces may be parallel to the normal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Further, the aerosol-forming article may comprise two end faces or surfaces, in particular substantially flat end faces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device. The two end faces or surfaces may form the smallest surfaces of the aerosol-forming article. Moreover, the aerosol-forming article may comprise two lateral faces, in particular substantially flat lateral faces or surfaces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, each of the lateral faces of the aerosol-forming article may have a surface normal vector substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device. The heating chamber may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The heating chamber may comprise two opposing main surfaces, which may, for example, be substantially flat. A surface normal vector of the two opposing main surfaces may be parallel to the normal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Further, the heating chamber may comprise two end faces or surfaces, in particular substantially flat end faces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The two end faces or surfaces may form the smallest surfaces of the heating chamber. It is noted that these surfaces or faces may refer to an open volume provided by the heating chamber. For example, at least one of the end faces or surfaces may be an open end, for example defining an insertion opening for the aerosol-forming article. Moreover, the heating chamber may comprise two lateral faces, in particular substantially flat lateral faces or surfaces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, each of the lateral faces of the heating chamber may have a surface normal vector substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device.

The downstream element of the aerosol-forming device, respectively, the second housing part or mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-forming device, may be slidably attached or coupled to the device body, such that the downstream element is movable, for example relative to the body part, from an open position to a use position, wherein in the use position, at least one or a plurality of air gaps is formed between the mouthpiece portion and the device body serving as the main air inlet or device air inlet (or a plurality of main/device air inlets). The downstream element and the device body may be moved or displaced relative to each other along the longitudinal direction or parallel to the longitudinal axis between the open position and the use position.

It should be noted that a sliding arrangement or coupling of the downstream element and the device body is exemplary only. Generally, the downstream element and the device body can be configured to be movable relative to each other between the open position and the use position. For instance, the downstream element and the device can be coupled via one or more hinges, via one or more connection elements, such as a rod, a pin, an elastic element, or the like, via a flap mechanism, via a folding mechanism or other coupling. Optionally, the downstream element and the device body may be separable and may be plugged or removably interlocked together, for example via an interlocking means or mechanism. Other couplings, such as a magnetic or electromagnetic coupling, are also envisaged in the frame of the present disclosure.

The use position and the open position of the aerosol-forming device may generally refer to two different configurations of the aerosol-forming device. Also, the terms open position and closed position may be used herein with reference to one or more elements or components of the aerosol-forming device, such as for example the downstream element, the device body, the first housing part, the second housing part, and the heating chamber, thereby describing different configurations of said components or elements.

For example, between the open position and the use position, the device body (also referred to herein as first housing part) may be moved or displaced relative to a mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-forming device. The mouthpiece portion is also referred to herein as second housing part and/or downstream element of the aerosol-forming device. The device body may be moved relative to the mouthpiece portion or the second housing part, for example parallel to the longitudinal axis or along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. A relative movement of the mouthpiece portion with respect to the device body in one or more other directions transverse to the longitudinal axis, for example in transverse or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device, is possible.

The aerosol-forming device being in the open position, respectively, being in the closed position, may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein with the device body and/or second mouthpiece portion being in the open position, respectively, being in the closed position.

In the use position, the heating chamber may be closed and/or covered by the mouthpiece portion and/or the device body. Accordingly, the heating chamber may not be accessible, respectively, may be inaccessible for a user to insert the aerosol-forming article or remove it therefrom. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming article may only be inserted into the heating chamber when the device body and/or the mouthpiece portion are displaced or moved relative to each other out of the use position, for example are displaced towards the open position. Optionally, generation of aerosol may only be allowed in the use position.

In the open position, the heating chamber may be accessible, for example for inserting an aerosol-forming article into or removing it from the heating chamber.

In an example, a relative displacement or movement of the device body and the mouthpiece portion from the open position towards or into the use position may refer to a displacement or movement of the mouthpiece portion from a proximal end towards a distal end of the aerosolforming device, and/or may refer to a displacement or movement of the device body from a distal end towards a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, the first housing part and the second housing part may be moved or displaced towards each other, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, when moving the first housing part and the second housing part from the open position towards or into the use position. Alternatively or additionally, the first housing part and the second housing part may be moved or displaced away from each other, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, when moving first housing part and the second housing part from the use position towards or into the open position. The second airpath structure may include a backplate arranged at a distal end of the heating chamber, the backplate separating the heating chamber from a fluidic connection provided by the second air path structure, the backplate including two traversing openings to provide a fluidic connection of the second airpath structure with the two parallelly arranged first air channels.

As used herein, the terms “distal” and “proximal” are used to describe the locations of components or elements in relation to a user holding or using the aerosol-generating device, for example using the aerosol-forming device to consume or inhale aerosol. Therein, “distal” can refer to a location or element that is farther away from the user, and “proximal” can refer to a location or element that is closer to the user.

The fluidic connection of the second air path structure may provide for two or more linear fluidic pathways from a side wall towards a center axis of the device. In other words, the fluidic connection of the second air path structure may comprise two or more linear fluidic pathways from a side wall towards a center axis of the device. Accordingly, air or an airflow through the second fluidic air path structure may flow from a side wall towards the center axis of the aerosol-forming device.

In an example, the aerosol-forming device may further comprise a resistive heater element constituting a convective heater extending along the two or more linear fluidic pathways for heating the airflow passing through the second airpath structure. Accordingly, air flowing through the two or more linear fluidic pathways may be guided along or may pass the resistive heater element, such that the air may be heated and/or a temperature of the air may be increased. The resistive heater element may provide a pre-heating advantageously allowing to pass pre-heated or heated air through the aerosol-forming article. As will be explained below, the resistive heater elements may allow flash heating and heating on demand, i.e puff-based heating. This may potentially reduce an amount of energy required for heating the aerosol-forming article to actually generate aerosol.

The two parallelly arranged first air channels may be arranged to not fluidically connect with the heating chamber. Accordingly, the two parallelly arranged first air channels may be fluidically decoupled or isolated from the heating chamber. Further, the two parallelly arranged first air channels may have first air inlets at a proximal end of the device body, the first air inlets being fluidically connected to the main air inlet. For example, each of the first air channels may have one or more first air inlets fluidically coupled to the main air inlet, such that air can be drawn into the first air channels via the main air inlet. It is noted that more than two parallelly arranged first air channels are also possible.

The heater casing may be at least partly housed or inserted in an insulating casing. The heater casing and/or the insulating casing may be made of a material having a high thermal resistivity or low thermal conductivity, preferably a thermal conductivity below 1 W / (m • K), more preferably below 0.5 W / (m • K), for example a plastic material such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and/or polyaryletherketone (PAEK) and/or polyetherimide (PEI), preferably PEEK. Additionally or alternatively, the heater casing and/or the insulating casing may be made of a material having an isobaric mass heat capacity C_p of 3 or more, preferably 2 or more or 1 or more or 0.5 or more. This helps in keeping the heating energy inside the heater while minimizing losses through the walls.

The two parallelly arranged first air channels may be arranged between an inner heater casing that forms the heating chamber, and the outer insulation casing or insulating casing that at least partially encapsules the heater casing. For example, the inner heating casing and the outer insulating casing may be spaced apart from each other, thereby defining the two parallelly arranged first air channels.

The heating chamber may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the two parallelly arranged first air channels may be arranged along one or both of the small side faces of the heating chamber, also referred to herein as lateral faces of the heating chamber. For instance, on each of the small side faces, one of the two first air channels may be arranged. For example, the two parallelly arranged first air channels may be provided by or as grooves in the small side faces of the heating chamber. Additionally or alternatively, the two parallelly arranged first air channels or additional channels may be arranged along the main faces or surfaces of the heating chamber, for example as gap between the heater casing and the insulation casing.

It should be noted that the two parallelly arranged first air channels are preferably arranged substantially parallel to each other. Accordingly, the term “parallel” as used herein does not require a strict parallel arrangement of the air channels, but deviations therefrom, for example along the main extension of the air channels, are included. The same applies to any other reference to a parallel arrangement or extension of other components, members or parts of the aerosol-generating device, system and/or article. Hence, whenever referring to parallel herein, deviations from a strict parallel arrangement, for example by about 1 %-50% are included.

Also, the two first air channels may at least partly be arranged skew or crooked to each other in one or more spatial directions. Phrased differently, the first air channels may at least in parts extend in different directions with respect to each other.

In an example, the center upstream air channel for fluidically connecting the second airpath structure with the upstream inlet of the aerosol-forming article may include a convective heater or convective heater assembly for heating the airflow, the convective heater forming an air path at or near the center or center axis, for example parallel to the insertion direction. The convective heater may be or may comprise the resistive heating element as already mentioned. The convective heater may provide a pre-heating advantageously allowing air to pass therethrough to increase a temperature of the air. This may potentially reduce an amount of energy required for heating the aerosol-forming article to actually generate aerosol.

In an exemplary configuration, the center upstream air channel may include a slit-like shape. In other words, the center upstream air channel may be slit-like formed.

The second air path structure may be arranged to redirect the air flow from the two parallelly arranged first air channels to the center upstream air channel, to pass or guide the air through the convective heater assembly.

The first air inlets may be arranged and/or configured as air passages that are open towards the heating chamber. Therein, the air passages may define or include a flow area, for example given by a cross-sectional area of the air passages. The first air inlets may be arranged at the small side faces or lateral faces of the heating chamber, such that presence of the aerosol-forming article defines or creates a resistance-to-draw of the flow path with the defined flow area of the air passages.

The two parallelly arranged first air channels may be arranged to fl uidical ly connect with the heating chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the two parallelly arranged first air channels may be open towards the heating chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the two parallelly arranged first air channels may be arranged or may extend along the small side faces or lateral faces of the heating chamber.

The two parallelly arranged first air channels may each have a first air inlet at the proximal end of the device body, the first air inlet forming a cavity having a funnel or wedge-type shape.

An insertion of the aerosol-forming article to or into the heating chamber may close a side of the first air channels, such that the air flows past the small side faces or lateral faces of the aerosol-forming article.

The downstream element may have a downstream air channel arranged along the center axis of the aerosol-forming device, for example in parallel to an insertion direction for inserting an aerosol-forming article. The downstream element and/or the aerosol-forming article may further comprise a nucleation chamber in fluidic connection with the downstream air channel. Also, more than one downstream air channels are possible.

In an example, the nucleation chamber may comprise at least one air inlet or separate air inlet. Via the air inlet and/or separate air inlet, fresh air or surrounding air may be drawn into the nucleation chamber, and the drawn air may mix with the air in the nucleation chamber. Such mixing with fresh air in the nucleation chamber may advantageously improve aerosol quality and taste.

In an exemplary configuration, the at least one air inlet and/or the at least one separate air inlet may be fluidically connected or coupled to the main air inlet. Accordingly, via the main air inlet, fresh air may be drawn through the air inlet and/or separate air inlet of the nucleation chamber into the nucleation chamber. This may allow to avoid obstruction of only one of the first or second airflow branches separately, as either both are obstructed, or none. This may in turn simplify the recognition and therefore elimination of an obstruction. Also, the arrangement of the airflow paths in this way is very compact and space saving. Alternatively, however, the air inlet and/or separate air inlet of the nucleation chamber may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to the outside or exterior environment via another opening or inlet.

In an example, the aerosol-forming device may be connected to an outside or exterior environment only via the main air inlet. Accordingly, only via the main air inlet fresh air, for example ambient air, may be drawn from the outside or exterior environment of the aerosolforming device.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fluidic interconnection element for an aerosol-forming device, wherein the fluidic interconnection element may be configured to provide for a fluidic connection between the aerosol-forming device and an aerosolforming article insertable into and/or removable from the aerosol-forming device. The fluidic interconnection element, as used herein, may refer to an element or component for fluidically connecting and/or coupling the aerosol-forming device and an aerosol-forming article. The fluidic interconnection element may provide an at least partly fluid-tight sealing between the aerosolforming device and an aerosol-forming article. For example, the upstream fluidic interconnection element may provide some or a certain degree of airtightness and/or the downstream fluidic interconnection element may provide some or a certain degree of aerosol-tightness, when fluidically interconnected to the upstream inlet or downstream outlet, respectively. The fluidic interconnection element may also be referred to herein as sealing member or element. The terminology of “sealing member”, however, does not imply a complete sealing or complete fluid- tight seal between the aerosol-forming device and the aerosol-forming article.

The fluidic interconnection element comprises a blade structure surrounding, enclosing or encompassing a flow path defining a central axis of the fluidic interconnection element. The central axis of the fluidic interconnection element may be coaxial with a central axis of the aerosolforming device, when the fluidic interconnection element is mounted to or arranged in an aerosolforming device. The blade structure has or includes a first end configured to face a fluidic opening of an aerosol-forming article, and a second end configured to provide a fluidic connection to another element of the aerosol-forming device, wherein an outer wall of the blade structure has a sloped or tapered shape thereby increasing a thickness of the blade structure in a direction from the first end to the second end.

When the blade structure is at least partly inserted into the aerosol-forming article, for example by penetrating a frame of the article, the sloped or tapered shape of the blade structure may lead to or cause the material of the frame of the article being pushed or compressed radially to the outside, away from the fluidic opening or airflow path. By means of the sloped or tapered shape, it may be ensured that a cross-section of the fluidic opening of the aerosol-forming article is not decreased and/or that the fluidic opening is kept open.

The fluidic interconnection element may further comprise a backplate, which the blade structure is mounted to, or which the blade structure is integrally formed with, wherein the flow path of the blade structure traverses or passes through the backplate. The fluidic interconnection element and/or the second end thereof may be configured to provide a fluidic connection to the backplate.

In an example, a first end edge or blade edge of the blade structure may be formed to extend in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis of the flow path, which may be coaxial or at least parallel to a central or center axis of the aerosol-forming device.

The first end edge of the blade structure may, for example, have a flat first end surface having a width or extension of about 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm, more preferably a width of about 0.03 mm to 0.15 mm. The width or extension of the flat first end surface may be measured in a direction transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the central axis. In other words, the width or extension of the flat first end surface may describe the sharpness of the blade edge.

In an example, the sloped shape of the outer wall of the blade structure may include a concave shape. In other words, the sloped shape of the blade structure may be concavely shaped and/or may be curved towards the central axis. For example, a cross-section of the blade structure, for example a section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the device or the airflow path, may have an area that gets smaller in the direction towards the substrate chamber of the aerosol-forming article. This may be applicable to the upstream and/or the downstream fluidic interconnection element. In other words, the upstream fluidic interconnection element may have such a cross section with an area that gets smaller in the direction of the airflow. The downstream fluidic interconnection element, on the other hand, may have such a cross section with an area that gets bigger in the direction of the airflow. The smallest area of the cross section of the blade structure may therefore always be directed towards the aerosol-forming article, facilitating pressing into the air inlet and/or the aerosol outlet and/or into the frame of the article.

The concave shape of the outer wall may, at one end thereof, be formed to be flush with the first end of the outer wall, and optionally may be parallel to the central axis, thereby defining the blade edge. Further, the concave shape of the outer wall may, at another end, for example an opposite end, be formed to be flush with a first surface of the backplate.

An inner wall of the blade structure may form the or part of the flow path, which may be parallel to the central axis of the blade structure and/or the fluidic interconnection element.

Further, the inner wall of the blade structure may be formed to have no fluidic obstructions. Accordingly, air may flow therethrough without obstructions. Thus, the inner wall of the blade structure may have a smooth surface and/or be smooth and/or parallel to the central axis of the blade structure and/or the fluidic interconnection element.

In an example, the inner wall of the blade structure forming the flow path may have a length in a range between 2 mm and 15 mm, more preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm. The length may be measured along or parallel to the central axis of the blade structure and/or the fluidic interconnection element.

The blade structure may be traversed laterally by at least one, two or more lateral flow paths, forming a nucleation chamber inside the flow path. In other words, one, two or more lateral flow paths may laterally pass through the blade structure, thereby forming the nucleation chamber inside the blade structure or the fluidic interconnection element.

A cross-sectional area of the flow path as seen or measured in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis has a longitudinal extension, elongated shape, or elongated form.

For instance, the cross-sectional area may have one of a rectangular shape, an oblong shape, elliptic shape or an oval shape.

In an example, the cross-sectional area of the flow path may have a length along the longitudinal direction, for example parallel to the central axis, in a range between 12 mm and 4 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the cross-sectional area of the flow path may have a height or thickness, for example measured transverse or orthogonal to the longitudinal or central axis, in a range between 0.8 mm and 3 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 2 mm.

In a further example, the blade structure may protrude from a backplate of the fluidic interconnection element parallel to the central axis in a range between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 0.8 mm and 5 mm. Accordingly, the blade structure may have a length measured along or parallel to the central axis, respectively, the longitudinal axis of aerosolforming device, in a range between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 0.8 mm and 5 mm.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming or aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming device comprises a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article, an upstream airflow path configured to provide air to the aerosol-forming substrate when received in the heating chamber. For example, the upstream airflow path may be configured to guide or pass air through the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming device further comprises an upstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect and/or fluidically couple the upstream airflow path with the aerosol-forming article, wherein the upstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a fluidic connection and/or fluidic coupling between the upstream airflow path and the substrate of the aerosol-forming article.

By means of the blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element cutting or pressing into the wall or frame surrounding the upstream air inlet, a substantially or at least partially sealed or fluid-tight coupling between the upstream airflow path and the substrate of the aerosol-forming article can be ensured or provided.

A cross-sectional area of an opening provided around an outer edge of the blade structure may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. This may ensure that the cross-sectional area of the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article is not decreased by the blade structure at least partially pressing or cutting into the wall around or surrounding the upstream air inlet. Accordingly, the upstream air inlet may be kept open to let air pass therethrough.

A cross-sectional area of an opening provided around an outer edge of the blade structure may have one or more of a circular shape, an elliptic shape, an oval shape, an oblong shape, a rectangular shape, and an irregular shape.

For example, a cross-sectional area of a flow path provided by the blade structure may have a rectangular shape with rounded corners. By means of the rectangular shape with rounded corners obstructions for air flowing therethrough may advantageously be avoided.

A material of the blade structure may have a hardness value of at least 70, more preferably at least 80, even more preferably at least 100, even more preferably about 105, on the Rockwell hardness scale, particularly the Rockwell M scale HRM.

For example, a material of the blade structure may include at least one of metal, ceramic, or a polymer, preferably polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK) and/or polyetherimide (PEI). It is noted, though, that also combinations of these materials or other materials, such as composite materials, may be used.

The upstream fluidic interconnection element with the blade structure and the upstream airflow path may be formed as a unitary or single element. In other words, the upstream fluidic interconnection element may be integrally formed with the blade structure and the upstream airflow path. Hence, a robust fluidic interconnection element with the blade structure and the upstream airflow path may be provided.

The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a downstream airflow path configured to provide an aerosol from the substrate to an aerosol outlet of the device, for example the mouthpiece, and a downstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect the downstream airflow path with the aerosol-forming article, wherein the downstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall around a downstream air outlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a fluidic connection and/or coupling between the substrate of the aerosol-forming article and the downstream airflow path. The air outlet of the aerosol-forming article may also be referred to herein as aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

By means of the blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element cutting or pressing into the wall or frame surrounding the downstream air outlet, a substantially or at least partially sealed or fluid-tight coupling between the substrate of the aerosol-forming article and the downstream airflow path can be ensured or provided.

The downstream fluidic interconnection element, with or including the blade structure, may be in fluidic interconnection with a mouthpiece of the aerosol-forming device, which mouthpiece may be movable relative to the heating chamber by either a rotational movement, a linear movement, or a combination of a rotational and linear movement. Accordingly, air flowing or passing through the downstream fluidic interconnection element with the associated blade structure may flow into the mouthpiece. In other words, the downstream fluidic interconnection element may guide the air or air flow from the aerosol-generating article and the downstream air outlet into the mouthpiece, optionally towards a user’s mouth.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming device and a removable aerosol-forming article, wherein the aerosol-forming article includes an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein one or more walls forming the air inlet and the air outlet are made of a compressible material for engagement with the upstream fluidic interconnection element and/or for engagement with the downstream fluidic interconnection element. The walls forming the air inlet and the air outlet of the aerosol-forming article may be part of or may constitute the frame of the aerosol-forming article and may also be referred to as such. The air outlet may also be referred to herein as aerosol outlet of the aerosolforming article. For instance, in direction of an airflow through the aerosol-forming article, which may correspond to or be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, the aerosolforming article may be arranged between the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element. The downstream fluidic interconnection element may also be referred to as first or top fluidic interconnection element. The upstream fluidic interconnection element may also be referred to as second or bottom fluidic interconnection element. Therein, the air inlet may be fluidically coupled to the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the air or aerosol outlet may be fluidically coupled to the downstream fluidic interconnection element.

By means of the compressible material in one or more walls or parts of the frame surrounding the air inlet and the air outlet of the aerosol-forming article, a substantially or at least partially sealed or fluid-tight coupling between the aerosol-forming article and both fluidic interconnection elements can be ensured or provided. The aerosol-forming article may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, wherein the air inlet and the air outlet may be located opposite of each other on the smallest faces or surfaces of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped aerosol-forming article. The smallest faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article may also be referred to herein as end faces or end surfaces of the aerosol-forming article. The air inlet and the air outlet may be arranged opposite to each other and may be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction.

The upstream fluidic interconnection element may be arranged or positioned such that upon contact of the upstream fluidic interconnection element with a wall or frame of the aerosol-forming article, for example a wall at an end face or surface of the aerosol-forming article, a distance from the outer edge of the blade structure towards a side wall or wall that forms the air inlet is in a range between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably in a range between 0.25 mm and 0.7 mm, more preferably in a range between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm, and even more preferably about 0.4 mm. This may ensure that the air inlet is not reduced in its cross-section when the blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element presses or cuts into the wall of the aerosol-forming article that surrounds the air inlet.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming device comprises a downstream airflow path configured to receive aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article, and a downstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect and/or couple to an aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article, wherein the downstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around the aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a fluidic connection and/or coupling between the downstream airflow path and the substrate of the aerosol-forming article.

The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a device body, also referred to herein as body portion or first housing part, the device body having a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion including the downstream airflow path and the downstream fluidic interconnection element.

The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a mechanism or means for moving the mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion such that the downstream fluidic interconnection element comes into fluid and sealed connection with the aerosol-forming article and/or substrate.

For example, such mechanism may be based on displacing one or more housing parts of the aerosol-forming device, for example based on displacing a first housing part relative to a second housing part. Such relative displacement may be along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device or transverse thereto. Alternatively or additionally, an actuator may be used to move or displace the mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion.

The blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element may be tapered or conical towards a center axis of the airflow path, such that one or more tapered or conical walls of the blade structure are configured to press against an inner wall forming the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. The center axis of the airflow path may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device and/or article.

The blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element may form or comprise a cutting end edge, such that the cutting end edge of the blade structure may be configured to cut into the wall or frame around the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. The cutting end edge may also be referred to as blade edge or first end edge.

The blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be tapered or conical towards a center axis of the airflow path, such that one or more tapered or conical walls of the blade structure are configured to press against an inner wall forming the downstream air outlet of the aerosol-forming article. The center axis of the airflow path may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device and/or article. The downstream air outlet may also be referred to herein as aerosol outlet or downstream aerosol outlet of the aerosolforming article.

The blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element may form or comprise a cutting end edge, such that the cutting end edge of the blade structure may be configured to cut into the wall or frame around the downstream air outlet of the aerosol-forming article. The cutting end edge may also be referred to as blade edge or first end edge.

In an example, the blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element may include one or more lateral air inlets. Alternatively or additionally, an interior volume of the blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element may form or comprise a nucleation chamber.

The downstream fluidic interconnection element may be linearly moveable and/or displaceable relative to an upstream fluidic interconnection element between an open position, in which the heating chamber may be accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article, and a use position for generating an aerosol based on heating of at least a part of the aerosol-forming article.

The downstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device or transverse thereto. The upstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device or transverse thereto.

The upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along the same axis, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming. Alternatively, the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along different axes. For example, the first upstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along a first axis and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second may be parallel to each or may be skew to each other. In an example, the first axis and the second axis may be parallel to each other and may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device.

The upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be moved or displaced towards each other, when moving from the open position towards or into the use position. Alternatively or additionally, the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be moved or displaced away from each other, when moving from the use position towards or into the open position.

The upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be coaxial and/or congruent to each other with regard to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. In other words, the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element, for instance the cross-sections of their airflow paths or channels, may be similarly (or substantially identically) shaped and similarly (or substantially identically) arranged relative to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device.

In the use position, a distance between the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element, for example a distance (e.g. a minimum, mean or maximum distance) measured along the longitudinal direction or axis of the aerosol-forming device, may be in a range between 19.2 mm and 39.2 mm. In the open position, a distance between the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element, for example a distance (e.g. a minimum, mean or maximum distance) measured along the longitudinal direction or axis of the aerosol-forming device, may be longer, for example may be in a range between 39.2 mm and 89.2 mm.

The aerosol-forming device may include a mechanism to move or displace the downstream fluidic interconnection element relative to the upstream fluidic interconnection element. For example, a first and second housing part of the device may be displaced relative to each other to displace the downstream fluidic interconnection element relative to the upstream fluidic interconnection element. Alternatively or additionally, an actuator or other mechanism, for example not involving housing parts, may be utilised, such as for example a linear or rotational slider as actuator.

The upstream fluidic interconnection element may be mechanically coupled to or arranged at a device body or first housing part of the aerosol-forming device. The downstream fluidic interconnection element may be mechanically coupled to or arranged at a mouthpiece portion, second housing part and/or downstream element of the aerosol-forming device. The downstream element, respectively, the mouthpiece portion and/or second housing part of the aerosol-forming device may be slidably attached or coupled to the device body, such that the downstream element is movable from an open position to a use position. By or based on a relative movement or displacement of the device body and the downstream element, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal direction or transverse thereto, the upstream and downstream fluidic interconnection elements are displaced relative to each other.

For example, based on or by relative displacement or movement of the device body and the downstream element from the open position to the use position, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal direction or transverse thereto, a fluidic connection between one or more of the upstream airflow path, the upstream fluidic interconnection element, the downstream airflow path and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be established, optionally with the aerosol-forming article, for example the air inlet and the aerosol or air outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Alternatively or additionally, based on or by relative displacement or movement of the device body and the downstream element, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal direction or transverse thereto from the open position to the use position, a fluidic connection between one or more of the main air inlet, the first airpath structure, the second airpath structure, and the center upstream air channel may be established, optionally with the aerosol-forming article, for example the air inlet and the aerosol or air outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Alternatively or additionally, based on or by relative displacement or movement of the device body and the downstream element, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal direction or transverse thereto, from the open position to the use position, a fluidic connection between one or more of the main air inlet, the first airpath structure, the second airpath structure, and the center upstream air channel may be established, optionally with the aerosol-forming article, for example the air inlet and the aerosol or air outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming article and an aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may be any aerosol-forming device described with reference to any aspect of the present disclosure. In particular, the aerosol-forming device includes a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming article includes an aerosol-forming substrate and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, defining a longitudinal axis. Therein, the aerosol-forming device includes one or more fluidic interconnection elements, for example one or more of the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element as described herein. The at least one fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure surrounding a flow path, wherein the blade structure includes a first end configured to face towards a side face or end face of the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming article includes a cavity or compartment for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, and a fluidic opening arranged on a side face or end face fluidically connected to the cavity, wherein, upon pressing the aerosol-forming article against the fluidic interconnection element, the blade structure of the fluidic interconnection element is configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around the fluidic opening to provide for a fluidic connection between the aerosol-forming device and the removable aerosol-forming article.

By pressing or cutting the blade structure into the wall or frame around or surrounding, for example along a perimeter of the fluidic opening, a reliable fluidic connection can be established, in particular an at least partly sealed or fluid-tight connection.

The at least one fluidic opening of the aerosol-forming article may also be referred to herein as air inlet, air outlet or aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

The at least one opening may be arranged at an end face of the aerosol-forming article. Optionally, two fluidic interconnection elements may be arranged at the two end faces of the aerosol-forming article opposing each other in longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device.

The aerosol-forming device may further include a mechanism to move the aerosol-forming article relative to the aerosol-forming device in the longitudinal or insertion direction to put the aerosol-forming device and the article in a fluidically interconnected state. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming device may further include a mechanism to move the aerosolforming article relative to the aerosol-forming device in the longitudinal direction to establish a fluidic connection or coupling between the aerosol-forming device and the aerosol-forming article. Therein, the flow path, also referred to herein as airflow or airflow path or airflow channel, of or through the fluidic interconnection element and the fluidic opening may extend or be directed in longitudinal direction, for example from a distal end towards a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device.

As used herein, the fluidically interconnected state may refer to a fluidic connection or interconnection being established between the aerosol-forming device and the aerosol-forming article.

The mechanism to move the aerosol-forming article relative to the aerosol-forming device in the longitudinal direction may, for example, relate to or include a relative movement or displacement of the device body, respectively, the first housing part and the downstream element, respectively, the mouthpiece portion or second housing part.

Alternatively or additionally, also an actuator, for example a linear or rotational actuator, or manual movement of the aerosol-forming article relative to the aerosol-forming device may be involved. For instance, a user may push the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber. An outer wall of the blade structure of the at least one fluidic interconnection element may include a sloped shape thereby increasing or decreasing a thickness of the blade structure in a flow direction along the flow path. Hence, the material forming the wall around the fluidic opening of the article may be pushed outwards by the blade structure, thereby ensuring that the fluidic opening, and hence the flow path, are kept open.

In the fluidically interconnected state, respectively, upon establishing connection or an interconnection being established between the aerosol-forming device and the aerosol-forming article, a penetration depth of the blade structure into the wall or frame around the fluidic opening is about 0.05 mm to 1 mm, preferably about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming device comprises a device body or first housing part forming or defining a main axis of extension of the aerosol-forming device. The main axis of extension may refer to or be coaxial with the longitudinal axis and/or center axis of the aerosol-forming device. The device further comprises a heating module arranged at least partially inside the device body, the heating module being configured to at least partially and removably hold the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a downstream element, second housing part or mouthpiece portion movably attached to the device body, and configured to or able to move between an open position and a use position. In the open position, the aerosol-forming device is configured to provide access to a heating chamber of the heating module, and in the use position, the aerosol-forming device is configured to close the heating module. The device further comprises a spring biasing mechanism establishing or configured to establish or exert a compressive force acting onto the inserted aerosol-forming article in a direction along the main axis of extension, when the downstream element is in the use position.

By the compressive force, the aerosol-forming article may be fixed in the heating chamber along the longitudinal direction or axis of the device. For example, this may ensure correct positioning of aerosol-forming article in the heating chamber, thereby allowing for a reliable and efficient heating. Optionally, also one or more fluidic connections may be established between the aerosol-forming article and the aerosol-forming device.

The compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism may act between the device body and the heating module to press the heating module towards the downstream element when the downstream element is in the use position. A compressive force acting in the opposite direction may be used instead or in addition.

The heating module may be slidably arranged inside the device body to slide along the main axis of extension or longitudinal axis, wherein the spring biasing mechanism may be configured to push the heating module to be at least partially outside the device body when the downstream element is in the open position. In other words, in the open position, the heating module may protrude from an end of the device body. For instance, this may allow to remove or replace the heating module.

The compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism may act onto a center end wall of the heating module. A surface normal vector of the center end wall may be directed along the longitudinal direction, for example from a proximal to a distal end of the aerosol-forming device or opposite thereto.

The heating module may include a distal end portion that is slidably arranged relative to the heating chamber, wherein the compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism may act onto the distal end portion of the heating module, for example to move the distal end portion into the heating chamber. In this case, the heating elements of the heating module may remain stationary. The heating elements may also be referred to herein as heater elements.

The distal end portion of the heating module may include an upstream flow path and an upstream fluidic interconnection element that can be configured to provide a fluidic interconnection with an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

A proximal end portion of the heating module may include a downstream flow path and a downstream fluidic interconnection element that can be configured to provide a fluidic interconnection with a downstream air or aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

In an example, the compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism may act between the downstream element of the aerosol-forming device and the inserted aerosol-forming article to press the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, when the downstream element is in the use position.

The spring biasing mechanism may further include an elastic element operatively arranged between a body or main part of the downstream element and a downstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect to an aerosol or air outlet of the aerosol-forming article. By means of the elastic element, a substantially sealed or fluid-tight connection or coupling can be ensured.

The downstream element may optionally include a mouthpiece. For example, the mouthpiece may be extractable from and/or retractable into the downstream element, respectively, the second housing part or mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-forming device.

The aerosol-forming device may further comprise an interconnection mechanism arranged between the downstream element and the device body, permitting the movement between the open and the use position, wherein the movement may include a rotational movement, a linear movement, or combination of a rotational and linear movement. In particular, any mechanism described herein for moving or displacing the device body and the downstream element relative to each other between the open position and use position can be used. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, for example opposing each other in normal direction of the aerosol-forming device and/or article. The aerosol-forming device comprises a heating chamber for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, and a convective air heater or convective heater assembly arranged upstream of the heating chamber. Therein, the convective air heater includes a slit-shaped or slot shaped air channel and a resistive heating element, which may optionally be planar, helix- or spiral-shaped, arranged inside the slit-shaped or slot-shaped air channel, such that two air flow channels or paths, also referred to herein as narrow air flow channels or simply as gaps, are formed above and below the resistive heating element, respectively on two opposing sides of the resistive heating element. The slit-shaped or slot shaped air channel may also be referred to as convective heating chamber. For instance, the air channels or gaps may be formed on two opposite sides, for example two planar sides or surfaces, of the resistive heating element. The resistive heating element of the convective heater assembly may have a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm. It may be made from a planar sheet of metal, for example stainless steel.

The walls forming the air channels or gaps may be provided by a convective heater casing. The convective heater casing may surround or house the convective heater, for instance the convective heating chamber and/or the resistive heating element. The convective heater casing may be made of a material having a high thermal resistivity or low thermal conductivity, preferably a thermal conductivity below 1 W / (m • K), more preferably below 0.5 W/ (m • K), for example a plastic material such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and/or polyaryletherketone (PAEK) and/or polyetherimide (PEI), preferably PEEK. This prevents heat from being conducted from the chamber and further assists flash heating.

By means of the convective air heater with the resistive heating element, an efficient preheating or flash heating of the airflow may be ensured, for example such that air with elevated temperature can be directed into or towards the aerosol-forming article for generating aerosol.

The two narrow air flow channels or air flow channels or gaps may have a width in a range between 3 mm to 15 mm, and may have a height of less than 0.5 mm and more than 0.05 mm, preferably less than 0.3 mm and more than 0.1 mm, preferably less than 0.25 mm to 0.1 mm. The width may, for example, be measured along the transverse or width direction of the aerosolforming device, and the height may be measured along the normal or height direction of the aerosol-forming device, or vice versa. Such dimensions, heights and/or widths may allow for an efficient and fast heating of the air flowing through the air flow channels. In an example, two opposing walls of the convective heater casing forming the slit-shaped air channel and having the resistive element therebetween may not be heated. They may be made from an insulating material, avoiding heat transfer from the convective heating chamber into other parts of the device through other paths than the heated air flow. This may provide for efficient heating of the aerosol-forming article.

The two opposing walls forming the slit-shaped air channel and having the resistive element therebetween may have a structured, for example roughened or ragged, surface for causing an air flow turbulence. Additionally or alternatively, the surface of the resistive heating element may be structured, for example roughened or ragged, to cause turbulences. Also such air flow turbulence may be beneficial in terms of an efficient heating, for example as it may allow for a more homogenous temperature distribution.

The aerosol-forming device may further comprise two terminals for electrical interconnection of the convective air heater with the aerosol-forming device, the two terminals and the resistive heating element formed by a single sheet of metal. The single sheet of metal may allow for efficient heating and may be cost-efficient. The terminals may protrude from the resistive heating element in the same direction, for example in parallel, and may have a resistance that is lower than the one of the resistive heating element, for example by being wider and/or thicker.

An air flow direction in the convective air heater may be in axis with an air flow direction in the heating chamber. For example, the air flow direction may be substantially parallel or along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device and/or article. By being in axis, obstructions in the flow path can be avoided, thereby also potentially preventing overheating.

A downstream end of the convective air heater may form or comprise a blade structure around the slit-shaped or slot-shaped air channel, the blade structure being configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around or surrounding an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. By means of the blade structure a substantially sealed or fluid connection may be ensured, thereby ensuring that the air flow is guided or directed towards the air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a backplate forming at least one lateral airflow path upstream of the slit-shaped or slot-shaped air channel and leading to the slit-shaped air channel, wherein the backplate holds or supports the resistive heating element suspended inside the slit-shaped air channel. Accordingly, the resistive heating element, for example protruding inside the slit-shaped air channel, may be arranged at the backplate, for example at least partially or exclusively upstream of the backplate.

The resistive heating element may be formed as a meandering or serpentine structure, wherein the meandering or serpentine structure may extend in-plane of the resistive heating element. For example, the resistive heating element may extend in a plane, and the meandering or serpentine structure may be directed along an extension direction thereof in said plane, wherein portions of the meandering or serpentine structure may alternately traverse the actual extension direction of the meandering or serpentine structure. The extension direction of the meandering or serpentine structure may, for example, extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device, for example along the transverse or normal direction thereof.

For example, the resistive heating element may comprise a strip of a metal sheet, for example stainless steel, which may optionally be perforated and/or which may optionally include one or more perforation openings or holes. For instance, the resistive heating element may comprise or be a meshed metal strip. The strip may be bent into a stack of serpentine branches spanning between the two terminals of the resistive heating element. The branches may all be formed similarly, for example by having the same dimensions and/or extensions. The direction in which the stack of serpentine branches extends may be referred to as the stack direction, and the stack direction may be perpendicular or parallel to the longitudinal axis or direction of the aerosolforming device. The resistive heating element may be configured and/or arranged so that the air flowing through the convective heating chamber passes through the perforations forming the mesh of the strip, particularly along the stack direction. By flowing along the stack direction, the air may pass through perforations of every single branch in the stack, which ensures efficient and quick heat transfer to the air.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces. The aerosol-forming device comprises a heating chamber for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, the heating chamber defining an insertion direction, for example for inserting the aerosol-forming article into the aerosol-forming device. The insertion direction may extend along or parallel to an insertion axis and/or a longitudinal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a convective air heater assembly arranged upstream of the heating chamber, the convective air heater assembly including a resistive heater element (also referred to herein as resistive heating element) extending at least partly into the convective air heater assembly. The space in the convective heater assembly in which the resistive heating element is arranged may also be referred to as convective heating chamber. Therein, the convective air heater assembly includes two air heating channels leading from each side or lateral face of the aerosolforming device to a central air channel. Alternatively or additionally, the convective air heater assembly may include two air heating channels leading or extending from two opposing sides or lateral faces of the aerosol-forming device, for example opposing in transverse direction and/or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device, to a central air channel. Further, the central air channel may lead or extend fluidically to an air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, the central air channel may be fluidically coupled or couplable to the air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

By means of the convective air heater assembly with the resistive heater element, an efficient pre-heating or flash heating of the airflow may be ensured, for example such that air with elevated temperature can be directed into or towards the air inlet of the aerosol-forming article for generating aerosol.

For example, by means of the convective air heater assembly with the resistive heater element, the airflow may be heated or pre-heated to an elevated temperature or pre-heating temperature, during at least a part of a usage session, preferably during the entire usage session. Optionally, puff-based heating to a heating temperature for generating aerosol may be provided by or implemented in the aerosol-forming device.

The resistive heater element may include a coil that extends through the two air heating channels. Based on supplying current to the coil, an efficient and fast heating of the air can be ensured.

The resistive heater element may include a planar or preferably planar resistive heating element that extends through the two air heating channels. The resistive heating element may be a planarly-extending resistive heating element extending laterally and/or longitudinally inside the slit-shaped air channel. Laterally and/or longitudinally may be defined in relation to the longitudinal axis of the device and/or the flow direction of the air in the airflow path. Based on supplying current to the planar resistive heating element, an efficient and fast heating of the air can be ensured.

The resistive heating element may also correspond to the embodiment using the meshed metal strip as previously explained. To avoid repetitions, reference is made to the previous explanations.

For example, a plane defined by the planar resistive heating element may be perpendicular or orthogonal to the insertion direction. For example, the plane defined by the planar resistive heating element may extend in or be congruent with a plane defined by the transverse and the normal axis of the aerosol-forming device. However, any other plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction or insertion direction may be used instead.

The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a backplate, also referred to herein as back plate, between the heating chamber and the convective air heater or the convective heating chamber, the backplate including the central air channel. Accordingly, the central air channel may be formed by or pass through the backplate. The backplate may further include a blade structure around or surrounding the central air channel, configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around an upstream air inlet of the aerosolforming article. Thereby, a substantially sealed or fluid-tight connection may be established.

The backplate may further include two air inlet holes, openings or inlets, which may be arranged upstream of two air heating channels, respectively, to fluidically connect with the respective one of air heating channels. Accordingly, each of the two air inlet holes may be coupled with a respective or corresponding one of the two air heating channels.

Further, one or more side walls forming the two air heating channels may not be heated, and may be made of a material with low thermal conductivity. For example, they may be made from thermally insulating material, avoiding heat transfer from the convective heating chamber into other parts of the device through other paths than the heated air flow. This may provide for efficient heating of the aerosol-forming article.

The one or more side walls forming the two air heating channels may have a structured surface, for example a roughened or ragged surface, for causing an air flow turbulence. Additionally or alternatively, the surface of the resistive heating element may be structured, for example roughened or ragged, to cause turbulences. Also such air flow turbulence may be beneficial in terms of an efficient heating, for example as it may allow for a more homogenous temperature distribution.

The aerosol-forming device may further comprise two terminals for electrical interconnection of the convective air heater assembly with the aerosol-forming device, the two terminals and the resistive heating element optionally formed by a single sheet of metal, for example stainless steel. The single sheet of metal may allow for efficient heating and may be cost-efficient.

The two air heating channels may be arranged in an axis or extend along a direction that is perpendicular or orthogonal to the insertion direction. However, also any direction transverse or non-parallel to the insertion direction may be used instead.

The resistive heater element may be formed from a single sheet of metal, for example stainless steel. The single sheet of metal may allow for efficient heating and may be cost-efficient.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, and an aerosol-forming substrate arranged between the opposing main faces. The main faces or surfaces may oppose each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, for example in transverse direction or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The substrate may be arranged therebetween, for example in transverse direction or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol- forming device comprises a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the substantially rectangular parallelepiped aerosol-forming article, the heating chamber defining an insertion direction for the aerosol-forming article. The insertion direction may extend along or parallel to an insertion axis and/or a longitudinal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a heating structure, at least an element thereof made of an electrically conductive material, the heating structure being arranged at least partly inside the heating chamber, such that upon insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, at least a part of the heating structure is configured to move towards an adjacent side face and/or a main face or surface of the heating chamber, so that a heating surface of the heating structure and/or said at least part of the heating structure is pressed against one of the main faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article. For example, the heating structure may comprise at least one or two heating elements (also referred to as heater elements), which may, for example, be resistive heating elements. At least a part of the heating element may be moved by the insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber.

Accordingly, the heating chamber may comprise two main faces opposing each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, for example along the transverse direction or normal direction of the device. Each of the main faces of the heating chamber may be associated with, or arranged adjacent to, or arranged opposite to a respective one of the main faces of the aerosol-forming article. For example, at least one of the heating elements may be arranged at one of the main faces of the heating chamber. Particularly, the two heating elements of the heating chamber are arranged on both main faces of the heating chamber, one heating element per main face. Based on inserting the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, at least a part of the heating structure, for example at least one heating surface of the heating structure, i.e. at least part of one of the heating elements, may be relatively displaced with respect to the aerosolforming article and/or the heater casing, such that said at least part of the heating structure is pressed against the associated main face of the aerosol-forming article to heat the aerosolforming article. Hence, an efficient and fast heating of the aerosol-forming article may be provided. Such relative displacement of the heating structure or heating surface may be along or parallel to the normal direction, along the transverse direction and/or along the longitudinal direction.

A compression force exerted onto the inserted aerosol-forming article from one side by the heating structure, for example exerted onto one of the main faces or surfaces of the aerosolforming article, for example by one or both of the heating elements, may be in a range between 1 N to 30 N, preferably between 4 N and 25 N, more preferably between 6 N and 20 N, even more preferably about 9.4 N. This may allow for a reliable heat transfer between the heating structure or the at least one heating surface or heating element thereof and the aerosol-forming article. The heating structure may include a first heating element and a second heating element, the first heating element and the second heating element opposing each other, for example in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, in a transverse direction or a normal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The first heating element and the second heating element each form an airgap between the first and second heating element and the respective adjacent side face or main face of the heating chamber.

For instance, the first heating element may be spaced apart from a first main face of the heating chamber by a first air gap and the second heating element may be spaced apart from a second main face of the heating chamber by a second air gap, wherein the first and second main faces of the heating chamber may oppose each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, in a transverse direction or a normal direction of the aerosol-forming device.

The heating structure may include a heating element and a non-heated counter element or supporting element, the heating element and the non-heated counter element opposing each other, for example in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, in a transverse direction or a normal direction of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, a heater gap, also referred to herein as airgap, may be formed between at least the heating element and the adjacent or respective side face or main face of the heating chamber. The non-heated counter element may refer to an element that is not heated. Apart from not being heated, the non-heated counter element may be substantially identical to or may differ from the heating element. By means of the non-heated counter element, the aerosol-forming article may be clamped between the non-heated counter element and the heating element, thereby ensuring thermal contact between the heating element and the article.

Alternatively to a non-heated counter element, two heating elements may be used that oppose each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, for example in transverse direction or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device.

In an example, the heating structure may comprise a plurality of heating elements, for example two or more heating elements, wherein the heating elements are configured to be simultaneously heated or are configured to be alternately heated. Optionally, each of the heating elements may be heated entirely or only partly.

The heating structure may include one or more heating elements arranged or configured to heat one or more main faces of the aerosol-forming article. Alternatively or additionally, also one or more lateral faces, side faces or small side faces may be heated by one or more lateral heating elements of the heating structure. For example, the heating structure or one or more heating surfaces or elements thereof may at least partly or completely surround the aerosol-forming article along a perimeter thereof, for example in a U-shape, a C-shape, a circular shape or other shape, to heat the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, the main faces or surfaces and/or one or more lateral faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article may be heated by the heating structure.

The aerosol-forming device further comprises a suspension element, spring element or other mechanism configured to hold and/or position the heating structure inside the heating chamber and to provide for a compressive force by the heating structure to or towards the inserted aerosol-forming article. By means of the compressive force, the at least one heating surface may be reliably pressed against one of the main faces of the aerosol-forming article, thereby ensuring heat transfer or thermal conduction from the heating structure to the aerosol-forming article.

The heating structure may include at least one heater plate or element. The at least one heater plate may constitute or define the at least one heating surface of the heating structure. The at least one heater plate may have or include a front edge at an open end of the heating chamber to be beveled for facilitating an insertion of the aerosol-forming article. For instance, the front edge at the open end of the heating chamber may be curved outwards with respect to the longitudinal direction of the device, thereby allowing to insert the aerosol-forming article.

The heating structure may include at least one heater plate or element. The at least one heater plate may constitute or define the at least one heating surface of the heating structure. The at least one heater plate may be arranged oblique, inclined or tilted with respect to the insertion direction, with a larger gap being formed at an open end of the heating chamber, for facilitating an insertion of the aerosol-forming article.

In an example, the suspension element or spring element may include at least one of a leaf spring, coil spring, elastomeric elements, or a combination thereof. Any other appropriate suspension element or means may be used instead or addition thereto.

The suspension element may include an active element or mechanism configured to actively displace at least a part of the heating structure, for example the at least one heating surface, towards a center or center axis of the heating chamber. The center axis of the heating chamber may be parallel or coaxial to the longitudinal axis and/or center axis of the aerosolforming device.

The heating structure may include at least one heating plate or element formed as a meandering branch or track in the shape of a leaf spring, such that long branches of the meandering track bulge outwardly towards the opposite side of the heating chamber.

For example, the meandering track may meander around a transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, wherein individual branches may substantially extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, the branches may alternately cross the transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device. The heating structure may include a heating plate or element with a plurality of parallelly- arranged heating tracks or branches in parallel or orthogonal to an insertion direction. The plurality of heating tracks may be commonly heated or individually heated.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heating structure for an aerosol-forming device, for example for heating an aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining or with two opposing main faces. The heating structure includes a distal end and a proximal end. The heating structure comprises a holding section having two terminals for electrical interconnection arranged at the distal end, for example with an electric circuit of the aerosol-generating device. The heating structure further comprises a central section including a plurality of parallelly-arranged heater branches or resistive branches, and a proximal end section forming one or more plate-like elements. The central section may be arranged between the holding section and the proximal section in direction from the distal to the proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. The central section may be configured to heat at least one main face or surface of the aerosol-forming article. The heating structure may also be referred to herein as a heating element, for example a first and/or second heating element. The holding section may also be referred to herein as a first end. The central section may also be referred to herein as heating section. The proximal end section may also be referred to herein as a second end.

The terminals may protrude from the heater branches in the same direction, for example in parallel, and may have a resistance that is lower than the one of the heater branches, for example by being wider and/or thicker.

A surface area of the plurality of parallelly-arranged heater branches, which may be configured to come into contact with a main surface of the aerosol-forming article, may be in a range between 20 mm² and 100 mm², more preferably in a range between 30 mm² and 75 mm², even more preferably between 35 mm² and 70 mm². This area may for example form or constitute a heating surface of the heating structure.

The heating structure may be made from a single sheet of metal, preferably stainless steel. The single sheet of metal may allow for efficient heating and may be cost-efficient. Stainless steel may be beneficial in terms hygiene.

The single sheet of metal may have a thickness in a range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably in a range of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, preferably about 0.15 mm.

The proximal end section of the heating structure may be arranged at a first angle relative to the heating section or central section. Accordingly, the proximal end section may be arranged tilted or oblique with respect to the central section. For instance, the proximal end section may be directed outwards from distal to proximal end. The parallelly-arranged heater branches of the central section may be connected or electrically connected in series. Hence, the branches may be heated simultaneously by supplying current to the branches.

The parallelly-arranged heater branches of the central section may form a meandering element. For example, the meandering element may include one or more meandering tracks or branches, which may meander around a transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, wherein individual branches may substantially extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, the branches may alternately cross the transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device.

The parallelly-arranged heater branches of the central section may include between two and twenty branches, preferably between four and twelve branches. This may provide a large heating surface allowing for fast heating of the article.

The holding section may include a connection element having two portions thereof interconnecting to the two terminals, the connection element arranged at a second angle relative to the heating section. Therein, the first and second angle may differ from one another or be substantially identical. In particular, the first angle may be larger than the second angle, such that the proximal section may be more tilted with respect to the central section than the holding section of the heating structure.

The heating structure may be arranged or configured to heat one or more main faces of the aerosol-forming article. Alternatively or additionally, also one or more lateral faces may be heated, for example by one or more lateral heating elements of the heating structure. For example, the heating structure or one or more heating surfaces thereof may at least partly or completely surround the aerosol-forming article along a perimeter thereof, for example in a U-shape, a C- shape, circular shape or other shape, to heat the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, the main faces or surfaces and/or one or more lateral faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article may be heated by the heating structure.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heater module for an aerosol-forming device, the heater module configured to removably and at least partially receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces. The heater module comprises a heating structure including two opposing heating elements forming a substantially rectangular parallelepiped heating volume therebetween for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, the heating volume being arranged at least partially inside a heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device and defining an insertion axis, for example parallel to or coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. The heater elements may oppose each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, for example along a transverse direction or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The heater module further comprises a heater casing made of a non-conductive and/or thermally insulating material forming an outer shell around the two opposing heating elements. Further, two smaller inner side faces or lateral faces of the heater casing form or define the inner small side faces or lateral faces of the heating chamber. The heater module further comprises a backplate forming a distal end wall or end face of the heating chamber, the backplate having an upstream air inlet for fluidic connection with the aerosol-forming article.

For example, the two heater elements may oppose each other in normal direction and the small or smaller inner side faces of the heater casing may refer to lateral faces of the inner casing that define or constitute two lateral faces of the heating chamber, wherein the two lateral faces of the heater casing and/or the heating chamber may oppose each other in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device.

The heating chamber may be configured to at least partially receive the aerosol-forming article having a length, e.g. as measured along the insertion axis in longitudinal direction, and/or parallel to the longitudinal axis, in a range between 20 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm, more preferably about 30 mm, having a width, e.g. measured in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, in a range between 7 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 9 mm and 13 mm, more preferably about 11 mm, and a thickness or height, e.g. measured in normal direction of the aerosol-forming device, of between 1 mm and 10 mm, for example between 2 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 4 mm, more preferably about 3.1 mm. Therein, the length may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum length, the width may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum width and the thickness may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum thickness, respectively, height of the aerosol-forming article.

The heating chamber may be configured to have an insertion depth along the insertion axis in a range between 10 mm and 35 mm, preferably in a range between 15 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between 15 mm and 25 mm. The insertion depth may refer to a distance by which the aerosol-forming article can be inserted into the heating chamber. The insertion depth may for example correspond to a distance, for example minimum, mean or maximum distance, between a proximal end face of the heating chamber and a distal end face of the heating chamber, respectively the backplate of the heating chamber. The insertion depth may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance or insertion depth.

The insertion depth may define or substantially correspond to a length of the heating chamber, for example measured in longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, a length of the heating chamber may be in a range between 10 mm and 35 mm, preferably in a range between 15 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between 15 mm and 25 mm. The length may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum length. The heating chamber may be configured to have an insertion depth that is shorter than a length of the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, the aerosol-forming article, when inserted into the heating chamber, may protrude from a proximal end of the heating chamber, for example by about 1 mm to 30 mm, for example 2 mm to 20 mm, preferably about 5 mm to 15 mm, more preferably about 5 mm to about 10 mm.

The aerosol-forming substrate that is located inside the aerosol-forming article may be placed such that upon insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, the aerosol-forming substrate is fully inserted into the heating volume, such that the substrate faces or is arranged between the two opposing heating elements. Accordingly, the substrate may be completely located in the heating chamber, for example to ensure homogenous generation of aerosol across the substrate.

The heating chamber may have a width, for example measured along the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, between the two inner small side faces or lateral faces between 7.2 mm and 15.2 mm, preferably between 9.2 mm and 13.2 mm, more preferably about 11.2 mm. The width may be minimum, mean or maximum width.

The heating chamber may have a width, for example measured along the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, between the two inner small side faces or lateral faces to provide for an interference fit, a press-fit, or a friction-fit with the small side surfaces or lateral faces of aerosol-forming article. Hence, the aerosol-forming article may be laterally positioned or fixed in the heating chamber.

The heating chamber may have a height or thickness, for example measured along the normal direction of the aerosol-forming device, between two inner large side faces or main faces of the heater casing between 2 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 3 mm and 8 mm, even more preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm. The height may be minimum, mean or maximum height.

Further, a heater gap may be formed between at least one of the two opposing heating elements and a large inner side surface or main face of the heating chamber.

For example, one of the two opposing heating elements may include an electrically conducting heatable or heating element, wherein the other one of the two opposing heating elements may include a non-conductive and/or non-heatable counter plate or element, also referred to as supporting element. Accordingly, one of the heating elements may be heated and another one may be formed as non-heated counter element.

In another example, both of two opposing heating elements may be electrically conducting and may form two opposing heatable elements. The two heatable elements may oppose each other in normal direction of the aerosol-forming device, for example. The one or more conductive heating or heatable elements may be configured to act as dielectric heater electrodes of a load capacitor supplied with a Radio Frequency, RF, voltage. This may allow for a fast and efficient heating of the one or more conductive heating or heatable elements.

At least one of the opposing heating or heatable elements may include one or more branches acting as resistive or Joule-type heater elements.

For example, at least one of the branches may be shaped as spring-like elements, shaped to define the heating volume, and arranged to be substantially parallel with the insertion axis. In an example, the one or more heating or heatable elements may form spring-like elements defining the heating volume and arranged in a plane parallel to a plane defined by the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device.

The heater module may further comprise an inductor coil or induction coil wound around the insertion axis, around, inside, or at least partially inside the heater casing, the induction coil configured to be powered by an AC voltage or current to induce currents inside at least one of the opposing heating elements to act as one or more susceptors of an inductive heater. In other words, the one or more heating elements may act as susceptor and may be inductively heated.

The heater module may further comprise a convective air heater assembly arranged to fluidically interface with the upstream air inlet of the backplate, the airflow path defined by the upstream air inlet and the convective air inlet substantially flowing along a center axis extending along the insertion direction. As described hereinabove and hereinbelow, the convective heater assembly may provide a pre-heating, particularly flash heating, of the air directed to the air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

In an example, the small inner side faces, also referred to as lateral faces, of the heater casing may include at least one channel extending in parallel to an insertion direction along the heating chamber and or thereby forming or defining an upstream airflow path. The channel may, for example, be or comprise a groove in the small inner side faces of the heater casing.

The heater module may further comprise a puff sensing module or puff sensor arranged in fluidic connection with the upstream air inlet of the backplate. By means of the puff sensing module, a puff, for example initiation of a puff by a user and/or termination of a puff, may be detected. Optionally, detecting a puff may trigger heating of the one or more heating elements of the heater module. Further optionally, the heating chamber may be preheated to a preheating temperature, for example during a usage session, and upon detecting a puff the one or more heating elements of the heater module may be heated to a heating temperature for generating aerosol. Optionally, the heater module and/or aerosol-forming device may include one or more temperature sensors for controlling a temperature of the one or more heating elements and/or of the aerosol-forming article.

The puff sensing module may include a sensing cavity located in a center of the device, arranged to fluidical ly connect to the upstream air inlet. This may allow for reliable puff detection.

The heater module may further comprise a sensing device placed at the heater casing configured to read an indicium from a surface of the aerosol-forming article. The indicium may for example be a printed indicium or other indicium, such as an RFID tag, barcode or QR code. The indicium may be visible or invisible with the human eye. Also, a plurality of same or different indicia may be used.

The sensing device may for example include a reader module configured to read information that is provided with or on the aerosol-forming article, for example in the form of one or more indicia, for at least one of authenticating and/or classifying the aerosol-forming article. Hence, authenticity and/or type of the aerosol-forming article may be detected.

A least one of two opposing heating elements may include two electrical connection terminals, wherein the at least one of the two opposing heating elements with the corresponding two electrical connection terminals may be formed from a single metal sheet.

Therein, two electrical connection terminals may be configured to protrude in a distal direction away from the heater casing, for example in parallel to the insertion direction.

The heater module may further comprise attachment means, which may also be called a mounting structure herein, for removably holding the heater module inside the aerosol-forming device, for example inside an insulating casing, the attachment means may be configured to release the heater module from the aerosol-forming device, thereby permitting a removal of the heating module via a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. Via the attachment means, the heater module may be removed or replaced. For example, the heater module may be removably mounted inside the insulating casing of the aerosol-forming device. The attachment means or mounting structure may comprise mounting protrusions and correspondingly formed mounting guides configured to slidably engage one another and guide the insertion and/or removal of the heater module from the insulating casing and/or the aerosol-forming device.

The one or more branches, also referred to herein as tracks, of at least one of the opposing heating elements may be arranged to form a meandering shape, with the longer branches of the meandering shape arranged to be substantially in parallel with the insertion direction and/or longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device.

The longer branches of the meandering shape may be configured to contact a surface of the aerosol-forming article when inserted into the heating chamber at a location where the substrate is placed, the longer branches having a higher resistance and/or resistivity than the other elements of the opposing heating elements. Hence, an efficient and fast heating can be provided.

The heater module further comprises an insulation casing arranged around the heater casing. By the insulation casing it may be avoided that a casing or housing of the aerosol-forming device gets too hot, for example too hot to be comfortably handled by a user.

An upstream airflow path of the aerosol-forming device or heater module may be formed between the insulating casing and the heater casing, arranged in parallel to the insertion direction, with an air inlet formed at the proximal end of the heater module and/or insulating casing. This can provide further insulation or cooling of the insulating casing via the air passing between the insulating casing and the heater casing.

Additionally or alternatively, the upstream airflow path may be formed in the heater casing, for example in a sidewall of the heater casing, arranged in parallel to the insertion direction, with an air inlet formed at the proximal end of the heater module.

Additionally or alternatively, the upstream airflow path is formed in an insulating casing, for example in a sidewall of the insulating casing, arranged in parallel to the insertion direction, with an air inlet formed at the proximal end of the insulating casing.

The upstream airflow path may be formed by an air channel. The air channel may comprise a flat or substantially flat hollow space. For example, a clearance of the air channel in the height direction may be smaller than a clearance of the air channel in the width direction, wherein the height direction and the width direction of the air channel may both be perpendicular and/or orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the heater module and/or the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may comprise two such air channels, arranged on opposite sides of the heating chamber.

The heating chamber or heating cavity may have a height or clearance defined by the two opposing heating elements between the two inner large side faces or main faces to provide for an interference fit, a press-fit, or a friction-fit with the aerosol-forming article. Dimensions of the heating chamber may be as described hereinabove or hereinbelow.

The heater module may further comprise two heater clamps or clamp elements for holding at least a portion of the opposing heating elements against the corresponding part of the heater casing. Hence, reliable and good thermal contact may be ensured.

For example, the two heater clamps may have a U-shape. Other shapes are envisaged.

Therein, a smallest clearance distance of the heater volume or heating volume may be in a range between 1 mm to 6 mm, more preferably in a range between 2 mm and 3.5 mm. Accordingly, a heater gap between at least one of the two opposing heating elements and a large inner side surface or main face of the heating chamber may be in a range between 1 mm to 6 mm, more preferably in a range between 2 mm and 3.5 mm. The heater module may be configured to heat one or more main faces of the aerosolforming article. Alternatively or additionally, also one or more lateral faces may be heated by heater module. For example, a heating structure may at least partly or completely surround the aerosol-forming article along a perimeter thereof, for example in a U-shape, a C-shape, circular shape or other shape, to heat the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, the main faces or surfaces and/or one or more lateral faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article may be heated by the heating structure.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming article and an aerosol-forming device, for example an aerosol-forming device according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The aerosolforming device may include a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article, the aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate and having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Therein, the heating chamber includes two opposing heater elements forming a substantially rectangular parallelepiped heating volume therebetween for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article. The terms heater element and heating element may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein. The heating volume defines an insertion axis for inserting the article therein. The insertion axis may be parallel to or coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the aerosolforming article may have a length, for example as measured along the insertion axis and/or along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, in a range between 20 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm, more preferably about 30 mm. The aerosolforming article may have a width, for example as measured along the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, in a range between 7 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 9 mm and 13 mm, more preferably about 11 mm. The aerosol-forming article may have a thickness or height, for example as measured along the normal direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, of between 1 mm and 10 mm, for example between 2 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 4 mm, more preferably about 3.1 mm. Therein, the length may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum length, the width may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum width and the thickness may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum thickness, respectively, height of the aerosol-forming article.

At least one central section or heating section of at least one of the heater or heating elements may be configured to elastically flex or bend in a thickness direction, for example in normal direction of the aerosol-forming article and/or device, which may be perpendicular or orthogonal to the insertion direction, such that upon insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, a contact or compressive force between the central section and one of the main faces of the rectangular parallelepiped aerosol-forming article is established. By flexing or bending the central section, for example outwards parallel to a surface normal vector of a main face of the aerosol-forming article, sufficient thermal contact between the heating element and/or central section thereof and the main face may be ensured.

Therein, a flex distance established by the at least one heating section between an inserted and removed aerosol-forming article may be in a range between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, more preferably in a range between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, even more preferably in a range between 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The flex distance may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance, by which the central section may be bent in normal direction of the aerosol-forming device or opposite thereto.

Alternatively to flexing, the at least one heating element may be displaced along the normal direction.

The aerosol-forming substrate may have a substantially planar shape and may be located between a top and bottom cover sheet inside the aerosol-forming article, wherein the substrate may have a length, for example as measured along the insertion axis and/or along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, of about 8 mm to 15 mm, preferably about 12 mm. The substrate may further have a width, for example as measured perpendicularly to the insertion direction and/or along the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, of about 6 mm to 13 mm, preferably about 8 mm. Therein, the length may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum length, and the width may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum width of the aerosol-forming substrate.

One or two main faces, and optionally one or two lateral faces or surfaces of the aerosolforming article may be heated by one or more heater or heating elements.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device for generating aerosol, for example aerosol inhalable by a user and/or nicotine containing aerosol. The aerosol-forming device comprises a first housing part including a heating chamber configured to receive an aerosol-forming article, and a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part, such that the second housing part is movable relative to the first housing part along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device between an open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article, and a use position for generating aerosol based on heating at least a part of the aerosol-forming article. Therein, the second housing part includes a fixation means configured to engage with the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is movable along the longitudinal direction based on movement of the second housing part along the longitudinal direction.

Due to the fixation means in combination with the relative movability of the first and second housing part, handling of an aerosol-forming article and/or handling of the aerosol-forming device may be simplified for a user. In particular, the aerosol-forming article may be moved or displaced based on moving the first and second housing parts relative to each other, thereby providing an intuitive and simple way for a user to load an aerosol-forming article into the device and to remove it therefrom. Also, the configuration and design of the device can allow for an insertion and removal in a controlled manner, thereby avoiding any damage to the aerosol-forming article.

As used herein the first and second housing parts may refer to respective portions of the housing or enclosure of the aerosol-forming device. In particular, the first and second housing parts may constitute portions of the housing, which are mechanically coupled to each other, such that the first and second housing parts can be moved and/or displaced relative to each other along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device.

In an example, the first housing part may refer to or include a device body, a body portion, a front part, a distal part and/or a lower part of the housing. Alternatively or additionally, the second housing part may refer to or include a mouthpiece portion, a rear part, an upper part, a top part and/or a proximal part of the housing.

Optionally, the majority of electronic components of the aerosol-forming device may be arranged in the first housing part, preferably all electronic components of the aerosol-forming device may be arranged in the first housing part. Alternatively or additionally, less or fewer electronic components may be arranged in the second housing part compared to the first housing part. Optionally, the second housing part may lack electronic components.

Details of the first housing part and the second housing part are shown in and described with reference to Figures 52, 53, and 59-68, for example, wherein the first housing part is referred to as device body or body portion or body part, and the second housing part is referred to as mouthpiece portion or mouthpiece part. Accordingly, the terms “first housing part” and “device body” may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein. Alternatively or additionally, he terms “second housing part” and “mouthpiece portion” may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein.

The use position and the open position of the aerosol-forming device may generally refer to two different configurations of the aerosol-forming device. Between the open position and the use position, the first housing part and the second housing part can be moved or displaced relative to each other, for example parallel to the longitudinal axis or along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device being in the open position, respectively, being in the closed position, may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein with the first and/or second housing parts being in the open position, respectively, being in the closed position.

In the use position, the heating chamber may be closed and/or covered by the second housing part and/or the first housing part. Accordingly, the heating chamber may not be accessible, respectively, may be inaccessible for a user to insert the aerosol-forming article or remove it therefrom. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming article may only be inserted into the heating chamber when the second housing part and the first housing part are displaced or moved relative to each other out of the use position, for example are displaced towards the open position. Optionally, generation of aerosol may only be allowed in the use position.

A relative displacement or movement of the second housing part and the first housing part from the open position towards or into the use position may refer to a displacement or movement of the second housing part from a proximal end towards a distal end of the aerosol-forming device, and/or may refer to a displacement or movement of the first housing part from a distal end towards a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device.

Accordingly, the first housing part and the second housing part may be moved or displaced towards each other, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, when moving the first housing part and the second housing part from the open position towards or into the use position. Alternatively or additionally, the first housing part and the second housing part may be moved or displaced away from each other, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, when moving the first housing part and the second housing part from the use position towards or into the open position.

In a non-limiting example, an opening of the heating chamber may be revealed or uncovered when the aerosol-forming device is in the open position or when the first and/or second housing parts are at least displaced from the use position towards or into the open position. Via the opening, the aerosol-forming article may be inserted into the heating chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the heating chamber may be opened based on or by displacing the second and/or first housing parts from the use position towards or into the open position, and it may be closed based on or by displacing the second and/or first housing parts from the open position towards or into the use position.

The aerosol-forming device may have a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and a normal axis, each being transverse, in particular orthogonal, to each other. The longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the longitudinal axis and/or may extend from a proximal end or portion towards a distal end or portion of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the proximal end or portion may be associated with a mouthpiece portion or mouthpiece that is contacted by a user’s mouth during aerosol generation or consumption. A transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the transverse axis, and a normal direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the normal axis. When the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device are both arranged, oriented or aligned in a horizontal plane, the normal axis of the aerosol-forming device defines a vertical axis of the aerosol-forming device. Therefore, the normal axis or direction may also be referred to herein as vertical axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device.

An extension, length or size of the aerosol-forming device may be longer in longitudinal direction than in directions transverse, for example orthogonal, thereto. Specifically, the aerosolforming device may have a length measured along the longitudinal direction or axis, a width measured along the transverse direction or axis, and a thickness or height measured along the normal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device.

Optionally, the longitudinal direction may define and/or may be parallel to an insertion direction, along which the aerosol-forming article may be inserted into the heating chamber.

As used herein, the fixation means may generally refer to a component or element configured to secure or stabilize the aerosol-forming article with respect to the second housing part. In particular, the “fixation means being configured to engage” may refer to the fixation means being configured to mechanically and/or releasable couple or fix the aerosol-forming article to the aerosol-forming device. For instance, the fixation means can be arranged in the second housing part of the aerosol-forming device, for example at or near a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device, and the fixation means may be configured to mechanically and/or releasable couple or fix the aerosol-forming article to the second housing part.

A coupling and/or engagement of the fixation means and the aerosol-forming article may be based on a releasable mechanical fixation, such as for example based on frictional engagement and/or interlocking engagement. However, one or more of adhesive fixation, magnetic fixation, vacuum fixation or other fixation techniques may be used instead or in addition.

For coupling and/or engaging the aerosol-forming article with the fixation means, respectively for engaging the fixation means with the aerosol-forming article, a user may manually push or move the aerosol-forming article towards a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming device is in the open position or when the first and/or second housing parts are at least displaced from the use position towards the open position. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming article may be engaged with the fixation means by moving the second and/or first housing parts from the open position towards or into the use position. Optionally, the aerosol-forming article may be manually released from the fixation means by a user, when the second and/or first housing parts are in the open position or at least displaced from the use position towards the open position.

The fixation means may be configured to engage with the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is insertable into the heating chamber of the first housing part based on movement or displacement of the second and/or first housing part from the open position towards or into the use position. Such configuration or design can allow for an intuitive and safe handling of an aerosol-forming article by a user, for example allowing to securely insert the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber without risk of damaging the article. Also, handling or operation for the user may be simplified, because insertion of the comparatively small aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber may be cumbersome, at least for some users.

The fixation means may be configured to clamp the aerosol-forming article, for example at a proximal end thereof, such that the aerosol-forming article is at least partly pushed into the heating chamber of the first housing part by displacing the second housing part from the open position towards or into the use position.

A stop element may be arranged at the second housing part, which may limit movement of the aerosol-forming article in direction of the proximal end of the second housing part and/or of the aerosol-forming article. For example, the stop element may push the aerosol-forming article towards the distal end of the aerosol-forming device, when the second housing part is moved or displaced from the open position towards the use position.

The fixation means may be configured to engage with the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is removable and/or releasable from the heating chamber of the first housing part based on or by displacing the second and/or first housing part from the use position to the open position. For instance, the aerosol-forming article may be manually removed from, for example pulled out of, the heating chamber. Alternatively, the fixation means may be configured to clamp the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is pulled out of the heating chamber of the first housing part by the fixation means based on or by displacing the second and/or first housing part from the use position to the open position. Hence, the aerosolforming article may be safely removed from the heating chamber by displacing the second and/or first housing part, for example the second housing part towards the proximal end and/or the first housing part towards the distal end of the aerosol-forming device. This can be in particular advantageous when removing the aerosol-forming article right after a usage session, because the article may still have an elevated temperature and may thus not be comfortably removed manually by a user. Also, handling or operation for the user may be simplified.

The fixation means may be configured to engage with an end portion of the aerosol-forming article. In particular, the fixation means may be configured to engage with a proximal end of the aerosol-forming article. For example, the fixation means may be configured to only engage with the end portion of the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, only the surface at an end portion of the aerosol-forming article may be in contact with and/or may be covered by the fixation means, such that the remaining surface of the aerosol-forming article can be used for heating the aerosolforming article.

The fixation means may be configured to at least partly surround an end portion, for example a proximal end, of the aerosol-forming article along at least a part of a perimeter of the aerosolforming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is fixed relative to the second housing part. For example, the fixation means may be shaped or formed in correspondence with a shape of the end portion of the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article may be received by the fixation means and at least partly encompassed by the fixation means along its perimeter or outer circumference.

The fixation means may, for example, include a recess configured to receive an end portion of the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is fixed relative to the second housing part. For example, the recess may be formed to at least partly surround and/or encompass the end portion of the aerosol-forming article.

The fixation means may comprise one or more fixation brackets or spring loaded arms, hooks, spheres, or pins configured to clamp and/or clamp-hold the aerosol-forming article, in particular an end portion thereof. The one or more fixation brackets may be manufactured from metal, plastic material, ceramics material, composite material or other material. Using one or more brackets, which may also be referred to herein as clamps or clamp elements, can allow to provide for a robust and reliable coupling of the aerosol-forming article and the second housing part. Also, a size of the fixation means may be reduced compared to other solutions or designs. Further, a contact surface between the one or more brackets and the aerosol-forming article may advantageously be reduced or optimized.

In an example, the fixation means may comprise at least two opposing fixation brackets, wherein the at least two fixation brackets are spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, such that an end portion of the aerosol-forming article is receivable between the fixation brackets. By using at least two opposing fixation brackets, a contact surface between the aerosol-forming article and the brackets can be reduced, while also providing a reliable and robust mechanical coupling or fixation.

The at least two fixation brackets may, for example, be arranged and/or configured to contact the aerosol-forming article at two opposing lateral faces or surfaces, which are also referred to herein as two opposing side faces or surfaces, of the aerosol-forming article. In particular, the at least two fixation brackets may be spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction parallel to a transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device. The transverse direction parallel to the transverse axis of the device may be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and to a normal or vertical axis of the aerosol-forming device. Optionally, the opposing lateral faces of the aerosol-forming article may be substantially flat.

For example, the aerosol-forming article may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming article may be plate-like or cuboid formed. The aerosol-forming article may comprise two opposing main surfaces, which may be substantially flat. When the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device, a surface normal vector of the two opposing main surfaces may be parallel to the normal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Further, the aerosol-forming article may comprise two end faces or surfaces, in particular substantially flat end faces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device. The two end faces or surfaces may form the smallest surfaces of the aerosol-forming article. Moreover, the aerosol-forming article may comprise two lateral faces, in particular substantially flat lateral faces or surfaces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, each of the lateral faces of the aerosol-forming article may have a surface normal vector substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device.

In an example, each of the fixation brackets of the fixation means may be spring-loaded towards a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, such that receipt of the aerosol-forming article between the fixation brackets creates a clamping retention fixing the aerosol-forming article between the fixation brackets. Spring-loading the at least two fixation brackets may allow to create higher clamp forces compared to non-spring-loaded brackets. As a consequence, a contact surface between the fixation brackets and the aerosol-forming article can further be reduced or optimized.

In an exemplary configuration, each of the one or more fixation brackets may be curved towards a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. When inserting an aerosol-forming article between the fixation brackets, the brackets may at least partly be pushed outwards and/or away from each other to create a clamp force fixing or holding the aerosol-forming article in place.

The heating chamber may be configured to receive the aerosol-forming article along the longitudinal direction. The heating chamber may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein with “heating cavity” or “cavity”. For instance, the heating chamber may be arranged such that the aerosol-forming article is insertable into the heating chamber along the longitudinal direction. Alternatively or additionally, the heating chamber may be arranged such that the aerosol-forming article is removable from the heating chamber in the opposite direction. In an example, the heating chamber may include an opening, which may be revealed or uncovered when the second and/or first housing part is moved to or located in the open position. The aerosolforming article may then be inserted into the heating chamber via the opening by pushing the aerosol-forming article along the longitudinal direction, respectively, along the insertion direction, towards the distal end of the aerosol-forming device. Vice versa, the aerosol-forming article may be pulled out of the heating chamber via the opening in an opposite direction towards a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. In an exemplary configuration, the second housing part may be coupled to the first housing part in a sliding relationship. In other words, the second housing part may be slidably coupled to the first housing part. Accordingly, the first housing part and the second housing part may be slid or displaced relative to each other from the open position into the use position, for example based on sliding the second housing part towards the distal end of the aerosol-forming device, and/or based on sliding the first housing part towards the proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively or additionally, the first housing part and the second housing part may be slid or displaced relative to each other from the use position into the open position, for example based on sliding the second housing part towards the proximal end of the aerosol-forming device, and/or based on sliding the first housing part towards the distal end. A slidable coupling between the first and second housing parts can allow for an intuitive and comfortable handling, which may even allow for one-handed operation by a user. Also, slidable couplings may provide a robust and reliable mechanical fixation, thereby increasing the lifetime of the aerosol-forming device.

In an example, a relative displacement or movement of the first housing part and the second housing part between the use position and the open position may be such that the aerosol-forming article is fully removable or can be fully removed in the open position of the aerosol-forming device. For example, when the first and second housing parts are slid to the open position, at least a part of the aerosol-forming article may be revealed, such that user may remove the article from the heating chamber. Alternatively or additionally, when the first and second housing parts are slid to the open position, the heating chamber may be accessible, such that the user may insert an aerosol-forming article at least partly into the heating chamber.

For example, the relative displacement of the first housing part and the second housing part between the use position and the open position may be in a range between 20 mm and 50 mm. Accordingly, the first housing part may be displaced or moved, relative to the second housing part, between the open position and the use position by a distance of about 20 mm to about 50 mm. Vice versa the second housing part may be displaced or moved, relative to the first housing part, between the open position and the use position by a distance of about 20 mm to about 50 mm.

The first housing part may comprise one or more first slide means and the second housing part may comprise one or more second slide means, wherein each of the one or more second slide means may be configured to at least partly engage with a respective one of the one or more first slide means, such that the second housing part is slidably coupled to the first housing part. For example, the first and second slide means may be formed to cooperate with each other, such that the first and second housing parts are mechanically or slidably coupled to each other. For instance, the first and second slide means may be shaped in correspondence with each other. The first slide means may also be referred to as a sliding mount. The second slide means may also be referred to as sliding frame.

In an example, the first slide means may comprise or may be shaped as compartment in the first housing part, wherein the second slide means may be slidably arranged, accommodated or received within the compartment. For example, the second slide means may be slidably insertable via an opening of the compartment.

In another example, the first slide means may comprise one or more protrusions and the second slide means may comprise one or more grooves configured to slidably receive the first slide means therein. Alternatively, the second slide means may comprise one or more protrusions and the first slide means may comprise one or more grooves configured to slidably receive the second slide means therein.

The second housing part may further comprise a support element or guide configured to support and/or hold the aerosol-forming article, wherein, in the open position of the second housing part, the support element protrudes from an end of the second housing part, in particular from a distal end of the second housing part, along the longitudinal axis or direction towards the first housing part. By means of the support element, controlled insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber based on displacement of the second housing part towards the use position may be provided.

A length of the support element, which may be measured along the longitudinal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device may be such that at least a part of a main surface or face of the aerosol-forming article can be supported by the support element. For instance, the length of the support element may be in the range of about 20 mm to about 50 mm

For example, the support element may be slidably arranged at the first housing part. For example, the support element may be at least partly insertable into a compartment of the first housing part.

Optionally, the support element may comprise one or more slide protrusions configured to slidably engage with one or more slide grooves of the first housing part. Alternatively, the support element may comprise one or more slide grooves configured to slidably engage with one or more slide protrusions of the first housing part. The slide protrusions and the slide grooves may also be referred to herein as first and second slide means.

When the second and/or first housing part is located in the use position, the support element may form a rear wall of a housing of the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively, the rear wall may be provided by a part of the first housing part, wherein the support element may be at least partly inserted into a compartment of the first housing part, when the second and/or first housing part is located in the use position. In an example, the support element may be configured to support a plate-like or cuboid formed aerosol-forming article. In particular, the support element may comprise and/or define a substantially flat support area configured to support and/or hold the plate-like or cuboid formed aerosol-forming article. For instance, the support element may comprise or define a substantially flat support area configured to support or receive a substantially flat surface of the aerosol-forming article, in particular one of the main surfaces or faces of the plate-like or cuboid aerosol-forming article.

The support element may optionally include a guide for supporting a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped, plate-like or cuboid formed aerosol-forming article. For example, the guide may be configured to clamp hold the aerosol-forming article between two guide elements of the guide. Accordingly, the guide may comprise two opposing guide elements which may be spaced apart from each other in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, such that the guide and/or the two guide elements fix, contact and/or hold the aerosol-forming article on at least two opposing sides of the aerosol-forming article. In particular, the guide may be configured to fix, contact and/or hold the aerosol-forming article on two opposing lateral sides or faces of the aerosol-forming article. By means of the guide, the aerosol-forming article may be laterally fixed and securely guided into the heating chamber, when displacing the second housing part from the open position towards the use position.

In an exemplary configuration, the guide may comprise a depression or recess for receiving the aerosol-forming article, for example for receiving a substantially flat main surface of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped or cuboid aerosol-forming article. For example, the depression may define a substantially flat support area configured to support and/or hold a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped, plate-like or cuboid formed aerosol-forming article, in particular to support a substantially flat main surface of the cuboid aerosol-forming article.

The second housing part may further include a mouthpiece configured to deliver aerosol to the mouth of a user. The mouthpiece may at least partly be inserted into a user’s mouth during aerosol consumption. A mouthpiece may generally be advantageous in terms of hygiene or cleanability. Also, aerosol generated based on heating the aerosol-forming article may be cooled on its way through the mouthpiece and/or may be mixed with air, which can increase comfort and taste for the user.

The mouthpiece may be configured to be replaceable and/or may be removably fastened to the second housing part. A replaceable mouthpiece may be of particular advantage in terms of hygiene. Also, a particular aerosol-forming device may be shared by a plurality of users, each having its own mouthpiece. In an example, the mouthpiece may be at least partly retractable into and/or extractable out of the second housing part. By retracting the mouthpiece into the second housing part and/or into the housing of the aerosol-forming device, the mouthpiece may be protected against dirt or other substances when the device is not being used for aerosol consumption.

The mouthpiece may for example be retracted into the housing by displacing the mouthpiece along the longitudinal direction towards the distal end of the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively or additionally, the mouthpiece may be extracted from the housing by displacing the mouthpiece in opposite direction towards the proximal end of the aerosol-forming device.

In an example, the mouthpiece may be coupled to the second housing part, such that displacement of the second housing part from the open position into the use position extracts the mouthpiece from the second housing part. Alternatively or additionally, the mouthpiece may be coupled to the second housing part, such that displacement of the second housing part from the use position into the open position retracts the mouthpiece into the second housing part.

The mouthpiece may be at least partly retractable into and/or extractable from the second housing part based on actuating a mouthpiece actuator or slider movably arranged on the second housing part or the first housing part. In other words, the aerosol-forming device may comprise a mouthpiece actuator or slider that is actuatable by user to extract the mouthpiece from the second housing part and/or to retract it into the second housing part. For example, the mouthpiece actuator may be displaceable along the longitudinal direction and in a direction opposite thereto to retract and extract the mouthpiece. Alternatively or additionally, the mouthpiece actuator may be arranged at the first housing part or at the second housing part, and the mouthpiece actuator may be actuatable by a user to slide the mouthpiece out of the second housing part and/or to retract the mouthpiece into the second housing part.

When the second housing part is in the open position, retraction of the mouthpiece into the second housing part may disengage and/or release the aerosol-forming article from the fixation means. This may provide for a simplified handling for the user allowing to simultaneously release or disengage the aerosol-forming article from the fixation means and retract the mouthpiece into the second housing part, for example for storing the aerosol-forming device.

The second housing part or the first housing part may include a mouthpiece actuator actuatable by a user to slide the mouthpiece out of the second housing part and/or to retract the mouthpiece into the second housing part. The mouthpiece actuator may for example be linearly displaceable by the user, for example along the longitudinal direction or transverse thereto. Accordingly, the mouthpiece actuator may be configured as linear slider that may be slidable by a user to retract or extract the mouthpiece. Alternatively to a linearly displaceable actuator, other actuation means, such as a push button or rotational actuator may be used. The aerosol-forming device may further comprise an aerosol-forming article receivable in the heating chamber to generate aerosol. For example, the aerosol-forming device may be configured to generate aerosol based on heating at least a part of the aerosol-forming article.

For heating the aerosol-forming article, the aerosol-forming device may comprise one or more heating elements. Exemplary heating elements can be based on one or more of resistive heating, inductive heating and microwave heating, for example using electrical energy supplied via, drawn from or stored in an energy storage of the aerosol-forming device, or received from an external power or energy source. It is noted that alternatively or additionally heating of the aerosolforming article other aerosol generating means can be used, for example a non-thermal aerosol generator.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming or aerosol-generating system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device, for example any of the aerosol-forming device described herein, and a companion device configured to charge and/or at least partly receive the aerosol-forming device, for example in a cavity or compartment arranged in a housing of the companion device.

A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to use of an aerosol-forming device according and/or an aerosol-forming system as described herein for aerosol consumption, for example in one or more usage sessions.

A usage session, also referred to as an “experience” or an “experience session”, may have a particular start, an end and a duration. The start and/or end may be initiated or triggered by the user, for example based on actuating a user interface of the aerosol-forming device or system. A usage session may generally be characterized by the aerosol-forming device being operated to heat at least a part of an aerosol-forming article, for example above a threshold temperature or heating temperature sufficient to release aerosol, for example nicotine-containing aerosol, from the aerosol-forming article, which may be inhaled by the user. Optionally, a usage session may be interrupted or paused by a user, for example based on actuating a user interface of the aerosolforming system or device and/or based on configuring the aerosol-forming system or device in a pause mode.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of loading an aerosol-forming article into an aerosol-forming device or system, for example loading an aerosol-forming article into a heating chamber of an aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may refer to any aerosol-forming device described herein. In particular, the aerosolforming device can comprise a first housing part, which includes the heating chamber, and a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part, such that the second housing part is movable relative to the first housing part along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The method may comprise moving and/or displacing the second and/or first housing part from a use position, in which the heating chamber is covered by the second housing part, towards or into an open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article. The method further comprises inserting the aerosol-forming article at least partly into the heating chamber, and moving the second and/or first housing part from the open position into the use position, thereby at least partly engaging the aerosol-forming article with a fixation means arranged at the second housing part, such that the aerosol-forming article is pushed by the relative movement of the first and second housing parts completely into the heating chamber.

In an example, the method may further comprise moving the second housing part from the use position into the open position, thereby pulling the aerosol-forming article engaged with the fixation means of the second housing part out of the heating chamber.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device including a device housing and a mouthpiece. The device housing may also be referred to herein as housing of the aerosol-forming device. The device housing includes a storage chamber for storing or accommodating the mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece is movable between a storage position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly arranged inside the storage chamber, and a use or extracted position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly displaced from the storage position and at least partly protrudes from the device housing, for example at a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device includes an actuator, also referred to herein as mouthpiece actuator, which is movably arranged on the device housing, the actuator or mouthpiece being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the movement of the mouthpiece between the storage position and the use position is actuatable by the movement of the actuator between the first position and the second position. Further, a heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device is arranged in the device housing, the heating chamber being configured to heat an aerosol-forming article or substrate, wherein an airflow channel is provided in the device housing, wherein the airflow channel is configured to conduct aerosol from the heating chamber through the mouthpiece for inhalation by a user, and wherein downstream of the heating chamber, the airflow channel includes at least one air inlet channel in the device housing, the at least one air inlet channel being configured to provide a fluid coupling or connection between the airflow channel and an outside environment of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the at least one air inlet channel is configured to provide an air flow from the outside environment into the airflow channel, wherein the air inlet channel is blocked when the mouthpiece is in the storage position and open when the mouthpiece is in the use position.

Accordingly, when in the open or extracted position, air can be drawn through the air inlet channel, which may be mixed with an airflow from or through the aerosol-forming article. Hence, aerosol content in the airflow or air passed through the mouthpiece may be reduced or homogenized, which may be beneficial in terms of user experience. In the storage position, the mouthpiece may be arranged inside the storage chamber and may be arranged flush with an outer contour of the device housing. Accordingly, the mouthpiece may be completely retracted into the device housing, for example into a mouthpiece portion, second housing part or downstream element of the housing. Hence, the mouthpiece may be protected against dirt and damage, for example.

The air inlet channel may be connected to a nucleation chamber, wherein the nucleation chamber may be a part of the airflow channel downstream of the heating chamber having an increased inner diameter in comparison to parts of the airflow channel upstream and/or downstream of the nucleation chamber. By means of the nucleation chamber, a mixing with air drawn from the air inlet channel may be provided, which may be beneficial in terms of user experience.

The mouthpiece may include a locking device configured to provide a resistance against a movement of the mouthpiece out of the storage position and/or out of the use position. Hence, extraction or retraction by mistake of the mouthpiece may be avoided.

The locking device may include at least one magnet. Other means for providing resistance against movement of the mouthpiece may be used instead or in addition thereto.

The mouthpiece may include a sealing device configured to provide an airtight sealing between a part of the airflow channel in the mouthpiece and a part of the airflow channel in the device housing. Accordingly, by means of the sealing device, the airflow channel in the device housing and in the mouthpiece may be separated from one another.

The sealing device may include a sealing ring or O-ring and the locking device may include at least one groove in the mouthpiece and/or the device housing, for example in a part of the device housing forming the airflow channel. Therein, the movement of the mouthpiece between the storage position and the use position may actuate or cause a movement of the sealing ring and the groove relative to each other. By means of the sealing ring and the groove, the resistance against a movement of the mouthpiece out of the storage position and/or out of the use position may be provided. Also, reliable sealing may be ensured.

For example, the sealing ring may be arranged in a use position groove when the mouthpiece is in the use position and/or the sealing ring may be arranged in a storage position groove when the mouthpiece is in the storage position. For example, the sealing ring may be displaced from the storage position groove to the use position groove when moving the mouthpiece from the storage to the use position. Vice versa, the sealing ring may be displaced from the use position groove to the storage position groove when moving the mouthpiece from the use to the storage position.

The mouthpiece may be removably attached to the device housing. Accordingly, the mouthpiece may be removed or replaced. This may be beneficial in terms of hygiene. The movement of the mouthpiece between the storage position and the use position and/or the movement of the actuator or mouthpiece actuator between the first position and the second position may be a linear sliding motion. Accordingly, the actuator or mouthpiece actuator may be or include a linear slider that may be linearly slidable between the first and second position, for example along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device or transverse thereto.

The heating chamber and the storage chamber may be arranged adjacent to each other and partly overlap, so that an aerosol-forming article or substrate received in the heating chamber at least partly protrudes into the storage chamber. Hence, the article may be efficiently heated.

The mouthpiece can be configured so that the movement of the mouthpiece from the use position to the storage position displaces the aerosol-forming article or substrate from the storage chamber.

For example, the mouthpiece may be configured so that the loading of the aerosol-forming article or substrate at least partly into the heating chamber displaces the mouthpiece from the storage position towards the use position. Accordingly, by moving the article into the heating chamber, the mouthpiece may be extracted to the use position.

The aerosol-forming device may further comprise an aerosol-forming article or substrate, preferably wherein the aerosol-forming device is configured to generate aerosol based on heating at least a part of the aerosol-forming substrate or article.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device as described herein and a companion device configured to charge the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy. The companion device may be configured store and/or at least partly receive the aerosol-forming device, for example in a cavity or compartment thereof.

The aerosol-forming device and the companion device may each include at least one energy storage, the companion device being configured to charge the energy storage of the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy from the energy storage of the companion device, wherein a position sensor may be provided on the aerosol-forming device or the companion device, the position sensor being configured to detect the position of the mouthpiece in the storage position and/or the use position. Further, a switch device or switch may be provided on the aerosol-forming device or the companion device, the switch device being configured to direct power from the energy storage of the companion device to a heating device, also referred to herein as heater module, heating module, or heating structure of the aerosol-forming device, when the mouthpiece is in the use position.

For instance, the aerosol-forming device may be stored in the companion device and the mouthpiece may be extracted from the aerosol-device and/or from a casing of the companion device. Therein, energy may be supplied from the energy storage of the companion device to the heating device and/or may be used for heating the aerosol-forming article. As the battery or energy storage of the companion device may have a larger capacity compared to an energy storage of the aerosol-forming device, a larger number of usage sessions or experiences can be provided to the user.

Optionally, the switch device may be configured to direct power from the energy storage of the companion device to the energy storage of the aerosol-forming device when the mouthpiece is displaced from the use position or is in the storage position.

According to an aspect, there is provided a method of controlling air flow through an air inlet channel of an airflow channel in an aerosol-forming device, for example an aerosol-forming device as described herein. The air inlet channel may be arranged downstream of a heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device and provide a connection between the airflow channel and an outside environment. The method comprises moving a mouthpiece of the aerosol-forming device between a storage position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly arranged inside the storage chamber, and a use position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly displaced from the storage position and at least partly protrudes from the device housing, by moving an actuator or mouthpiece actuator or slider between a first position and a second position. The method further comprises closing the air inlet channel when the mouthpiece is moved into the storage position, and opening the air inlet channel when the mouthpiece is moved into the use position.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device comprising a device housing with a first housing part and a second housing part. The device housing is also referred to herein a housing of the aerosol-forming device. The first housing part is also referred to herein as device body, and the second housing part is also referred to herein as mouthpiece portion or downstream element or part of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a housing actuator or actuator movably arranged on the first housing part, the housing actuator being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first housing part includes a heating chamber, wherein the heating chamber is configured to heat an aerosol-forming article or substrate, particularly a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped aerosol-forming article or substrate, and includes a loading opening, the loading opening being configured to receive the aerosol-forming article or substrate, for example along an insertion direction or longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the second housing part is fixed or hinged to the first housing part via a rotational joint or hinge and rotatably or pivotably movable between a use position, also referred to herein as sealing position, and an open position, also referred to herein as loading position, by movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position. Further, the second housing part covers the loading opening of the heating chamber, also referred to herein as opening of the heating chamber, in the use position, and wherein the second housing part is removed from the loading opening or opening of the heating chamber in the open position, for example such that the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article via the opening or remove it therefrom.

Accordingly, when actuating the housing actuator from the first to the second position, the second housing part may be rotated or flipped via the rotational joint relative to the first housing part, thereby revealing or uncovering the opening or loading opening of the heating chamber allowing to insert an aerosol-forming article thereinto or remove it therefrom. Further, when actuating the housing actuator from the second to the first position, the second housing part may be rotated or flipped via the rotational joint relative to the first housing part, thereby covering the opening or loading opening, for example to allow for a usage session or experience. Hence, a user-friendly and robust actuation mechanism may be provided.

The movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position may be mechanically translated into the movement of the second housing part between the use position and the open position.

For example, the movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position may be a linear movement, in particular a linear sliding movement. Accordingly, the housing actuator may include a linear slider that may be linearly slidable, for example along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device or transverse thereto.

The housing actuator may include a linearly moveable worm or rack and the second housing part may comprise a gear or pinion, the gear or pinion being rotatable about a rotational axis of the rotational joint. Further, the worm or rack may mesh with the gear or pinion during movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position. By means of the worm or rack, a robust connection may be provided that allows to translate the linear movement of the housing actuator into a rotational movement of the second housing part relative to the first housing part.

Therein, the movement or displacement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position may be transverse, for example orthogonal or perpendicular, to a rotational axis of the rotational joint. Hence, a compact device may be provided.

The first housing part may have an elongated shape, for example a substantially cylindrical shape, and the second housing part, in the use position, may be arranged flush with the first housing part and may extend or continue the shape of the first housing part, for example in a tapered manner. This may allow for a comfortable handling by a user and small footprint of the device, in particular when in the use position.

The second housing part may include a mouthpiece configured to deliver aerosol to the mouth of a user. In other words, aerosol or air containing aerosol may be passed through the mouthpiece to a user’s mouth. The mouthpiece may be configured to be replaceable and/or may be removably fastened to the second housing part. Hence, the mouthpiece may be removed or replaced, which may be beneficial in terms of hygiene.

The mouthpiece may be at least partly retractable into and/or extractable out of the second housing part, for example based on actuating a mouthpiece actuator or slider movably arranged on the second housing part or the first housing part.

The second housing part may include at least a part of an airflow channel connected to the heating chamber.

For example, the first housing part and/or the second housing part may include a sealing device, for example a sealing lip or ring, configured to connect an airflow channel included in the second housing part to an airflow channel and/or the heating chamber in the first housing part.

The second housing part may further include a piercing connector configured to be at least partly piercingly insertable into the aerosol-forming article or substrate. Via the piercing connector, a fluidic connection may be established. The piercing connector may also be referred to herein as blade structure of a fluidic interconnection element.

The piercing connector, blade structure and/or fluidic interconnection element may comprise a circumferential insertion edge, preferably wherein the circumferential insertion edge is at least partly sharpened or the entire circumferential insertion edge is sharpened. The piercing connector, blade structure and/or fluidic interconnection element may at least partly cut and/or press into an aerosol-forming article, for example to provide a fluidic coupling or seal.

The device housing may include a locking means configured to lock the second housing part in the use position and/or in the open position. By using the locking means, a displacement between the use and open position by mistake may be avoided.

In an example, the device housing may include a spring-load, and the second housing part may be spring-loaded by the spring-load to stay in the use position and/or in the open position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of loading an aerosol-forming article or substrate into an aerosol-forming device, for example into a heating chamber of an aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may include a device housing including a first housing part and a second housing part, the second housing part being fixed to the first housing part via a rotational joint. The method comprises moving a housing actuator on the first housing part from a first position into a second position, translating the movement of the housing actuator between the first and second positions into a rotation of the second housing part from a use position, in which the second housing part covers a loading opening or opening of the heating chamber, into an open position, in which the second housing part is removed from the loading opening of the heating chamber.

The method may further comprise inserting an aerosol-forming article or substrate into the heating chamber through the loading opening, moving the housing actuator on the first housing part from the second position into the first position, and translating the movement of the housing actuator between the second position and first position into a rotation of the second housing part from the open position to the use position.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example 1 : An aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces and two opposing side faces, the aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate arranged between the two opposing main faces, the device comprising: a main air inlet for receiving an airflow from an outside; a downstream element removably or fixedly attachable to a mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion, the downstream element including a downstream air channel; a device body having a heating chamber and defining an insertion direction for the article; a first air path structure with two parallelly-arranged first air channels fluidically connected to the main air inlet running in parallel to the heating chamber on two opposing sides; a second air path structure arranged to redirect the air flow from the two parallel ly arranged first air channels to a center axis of the aerosol-forming device; and a center upstream air channel for fluidically connecting the second airpath structure with an upstream inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 2: The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the downstream element is slidably, rotatably, or slidably-rotatably attached to the device body, to be moved from an open position to a use position, wherein in the use position, a plurality of air gaps are formed between the downstream element or the mouthpiece portion or the mouthpiece and the device body serving as the main air inlet.

Example 3: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 1 to 2, wherein the second airpath structure includes a backplate arranged at a distal end of the heating chamber, the backplate separating the heating chamber from a fluidic connection provided by the second air path structure, the backplate including two traversing openings to provide a fluidic connection of the second airpath structure with the two parallel ly arranged first air channels.

Example 4: The aerosol-forming device according to one of examples 1 to 3, wherein the fluidic connection of the second air path structure provides for two linear fluidic pathways from a side wall towards a center axis of the device.

Example 5: The aerosol-forming device according to one of examples 1 to 4, further comprising a resistive heater element extending along the two linear fluidic pathways for heating the airflow passing through the second airpath structure.

Example 6: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 1 to 5, wherein the two parallelly arranged first air channels are arranged to not fl uidically connect with a heating volume of the heating chamber, and have first air inlets at a proximal end of the device body, the first air inlets fluidically connected to the main air inlet.

Example 7: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 1 to 6, wherein the two parallelly arranged first air channels are arranged between an inner heater casing that forms the heating chamber, and an outer insulation casing that at least partially encapsules the heater casing, and may therefore be thermally insulated from a heating volume of the heating chamber.

Example 8: The aerosol-forming device according to one of examples 1 to 7, wherein the heating chamber has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the two parallelly arranged first air channels are arranged along the small side faces of the heating chamber.

Example 9: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 1 to 8, wherein the center upstream air channel for fluidically connecting the second airpath structure with the upstream inlet of the aerosol-forming article includes a convective heater for heating the airflow, the convective heater forming an air path in the center arranged to be parallel to the insertion direction.

Example 10: The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the center upstream air channel includes a slit-like shape.

Example 11 : The aerosol-forming device according to one of examples 9 and 10, wherein the second air path structure is arranged to redirect the air flow from the two parallelly arranged first air channels to the center upstream air channel, to pass the air through the convective heater.

Example 12: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 1 to 11 , wherein the first air inlets are arranged as air passages that are open towards the heating chamber, and are arranged at the small side faces of the heating chamber, such that presence of the aerosolforming article defines a resistance-to-draw of the flow path with the defined flow area of the air passages. Example 13: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 1 to 12, wherein the two parallelly arranged first air channels are arranged to fl uidically connect with the heating chamber, form an open side towards the heating volume of the heating chamber, and are arranged along the small side faces of the heating chamber.

Example 14: The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the two parallelly arranged first air channels each have a first air inlet at the proximal end of the device body, the first air inlet forming a cavity having a funnel or wedge-type shape.

Example 15: The aerosol-forming device according to one of examples 13 and 14, wherein an insertion of the aerosol-forming article to the heating chamber closes the open side of the first air channels, such that the air flows past the small side faces of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 16: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 1 to 15, wherein the downstream element includes the downstream air channel arranged along a center axis of the aerosol-forming device in parallel to an insertion direction for inserting an aerosol-forming article, and further comprising a nucleation chamber in fluidic connection with the downstream air channel.

Example 16A: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 1 to 16, wherein the nucleation chamber includes at least one separate air inlet.

Example 16B: The aerosol-forming device according to example 16A, wherein the at least one separate air inlet is fluidically connected or coupled to the main air inlet.

Example 16C: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 1 to 16B, wherein the aerosol-forming device is connected to an outside or exterior environment only via the main air inlet.

Example 17: A fluidic interconnection element for an aerosol-forming device, the fluidic interconnection element configured to provide for a fluidic connection between the aerosolforming device and a removable aerosol-forming article, the fluidic interconnection element comprising: a blade structure surrounding a flow path defining a central axis, the blade structure having a first end configured to face a fluidic opening of an aerosol-forming article, and a second end configured to provide a fluidic connection to another element of the aerosol-forming device, wherein an outer wall of the blade structure has a sloped or tapered shape thereby increasing a thickness of the blade structure in a direction from the first end to the second end.

Example 18: The fluidic interconnection element according to example 17, further comprising: a backplate to which the blade structure is mounted to or is integrally formed with, the flow path of the blade structure traversing the backplate. Example 19: The fluidic interconnection element according to any one of examples 17 to 18, wherein a first end edge of the blade structure is formed to extend in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis of the flow path.

Example 20: The fluidic interconnection element according to the previous example, wherein the first end edge of the blade structure has a flat first end surface having a width of about 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm, more preferably a width of about 0.03 mm to 0.15 mm.

Example 21 : The fluidic interconnection element according to any one of examples 17 to 20, wherein the sloped shape of the outer wall of the blade structure includes a concave shape.

Example 22: The fluidic interconnection element according to example 21 , wherein the concave shape, at one end, is formed to be flush with the first end of the outer wall that is parallel to the central axis, and at the other end, is formed to be flush with a first surface of the back plate.

Example 23: The fluidic interconnection element according to any one of examples 17 to 22, wherein an inner wall of the blade structure forming the flow path is parallel to the central axis.

Example 24: The fluidic interconnection element according to example 23, wherein an inner wall of the blade structure is formed to have no fluidic obstructions, for example wherein the inner wall of the blade structure has a smooth surface.

Example 25: The fluidic interconnection element according to any one of examples 17 to 14, wherein an inner wall of the blade structure forming the flow path has a length in a range between 2 mm and 15 mm, more preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm.

Example 26: The fluidic interconnection element according to any one of examples 17 to

25, wherein the blade structure is traversed laterally by two or more lateral flow paths, forming a nucleation chamber inside the flow path.

Example 27: The fluidic interconnection element according to any one of examples 17 to

26, wherein a cross-sectional area of the flow path as seen in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis has a longitudinal extension.

Example 28: The fluidic interconnection element according to example 27, wherein the cross-sectional area has one of a rectangularly-shape or an oval-shape.

Example 29: The fluidic interconnection element according to example 27 or 28, wherein the cross-sectional area has a length along the longitudinal direction is in a range between 12 mm and 4 mm, and has a height or thickness in a range between 0.8 mm and 3 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 2 mm.

Example 30: The fluidic interconnection element according to any one of examples 18 to

29, wherein the blade structure protrudes from the backplate parallel to the central axis in a range between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 0.8 mm and 5 mm.

Example 30a: The fluidic interconnection element according to any one of examples 17 to

30, wherein an inner clearance provided for the airflow through the fluidic interconnection element is greater than or equal to an inner clearance provided for the airflow through the aerosol-forming article.

Example 30b: The fluidic interconnection element according to any one of examples 17 to 30a, comprising a stop or limit stop at the blade structure, wherein the stop or limit stop may protrude perpendicularly to the flow path and/or which wherein the stop or limit stop may be configured to press or otherwise engage with an outer surface wall of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 30c: The fluidic interconnection element according to any one of examples 17 to 30b, wherein the blade structure is configured to press against a tapered surface of the fluidic opening of the aerosol-forming article, preferably providing a press seal with the aerosol-forming article.

Example 30d: An aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosolforming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming device comprising at least one fluidic interconnection element according to any one of the previous Examples 17-30c.

Example 31 : An aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the device comprising: a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article; an upstream airflow path configured to provide air to the aerosol-forming substrate when received in the heating chamber; and an upstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect the upstream airflow path with the aerosol-forming article, wherein the upstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall around an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a fluidic connection between the upstream airflow path and the substrate of the aerosolforming article.

Example 32: The aerosol-forming device of example 11 , wherein a cross-sectional area of an opening provided around an outer edge of the blade structure is larger than a cross-sectional area of the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 33: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 31 to 32, wherein a cross- sectional area of an opening provided around an outer edge of the blade structure has a circular shape, an oval shape, an oblong shape, a rectangular shape, an irregular shape.

Example 34: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 31 to 33, wherein a cross- sectional area of a flow path provided by the blade structure has a rectangular shape with rounded corners.

Example 35: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 31 to 34, wherein a material of the blade structure has a hardness value of at least 70, more preferably at least 80, even more preferably at least 100, even more preferably about 105, on the Rockwell hardness scale.

Example 36: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 31 to 35, wherein a material used for the blade structure includes at least one of metal, ceramic, or a polymer, preferably polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK) and/or polyetherimide (PEI).

Example 37: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 31 to 36, wherein the upstream fluidic interconnection element with the blade structure and the upstream airflow path are formed as a unitary element or structure.

Example 38: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 31 to 37, further comprising: a downstream airflow path configured to provide an aerosol from the substrate to an aerosol outlet of the device; and a downstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect the downstream airflow path with the aerosol-forming article, wherein the downstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall around a downstream air outlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a sealed fluidic connection between the substrate of the aerosol-forming article and the downstream airflow path.

Example 39: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 31 to 38, wherein the downstream fluidic interconnection element with the blade structure is in fluidic interconnection with a mouthpiece that is movable relative to the heating chamber by either a rotational movement, a linear movement, or combination of a rotational and linear movement.

Example 39a: The aerosol-forming device of any one of the previous Examples 31 to 39, wherein the blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element is tapered or conical towards a center axis of the airflow path, such that one or more tapered or conical walls of the blade structure are configured to press against an inner wall forming the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 39b: The aerosol-forming device of any one of the previous Examples 31 to 39a, wherein the blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element forms a cutting end edge, such that the cutting end edge of the blade structure is configured to cut into the wall around the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 39c: The aerosol-forming device of any one of previous Examples 31 to 39b, wherein the blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element is tapered or conical towards a center axis of the airflow path, such that one or more tapered or conical walls of the blade structure are configured to press against an inner wall forming the downstream air outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 39d: The aerosol-forming device of any one of previous Examples 31 to 39c, wherein the blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element forms a cutting end edge, such that the cutting end edge of the blade structure is configured to cut into the wall around the downstream air outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 40: An aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 31 to 39d, and a removable aerosol-forming article, wherein the aerosolforming article includes an air inlet and an outlet, wherein one or more walls forming the air inlet and the air outlet are made of a compressible material for engagement with the upstream fluidic interconnection element and/or the downstream fluidic interconnection element.

Example 41 : The aerosol-forming system of example 40, wherein the aerosol-forming article has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and wherein the air inlet and the air outlet are located opposite of each other on the smallest faces of the rectangular parallelepiped shaped aerosol-forming article.

Example 42: The aerosol-forming system of any one of examples 40 to 41 , wherein the upstream fluidic interconnection element is positioned such that upon contact of the upstream fluidic interconnection element with a wall of the aerosol-forming article, a distance from the outer edge of the blade structure towards a side wall that forms the air inlet is in a range between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably in a range between 0.25 mm and 0.7 mm, more preferably in a range between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm, more preferably about 0.4 mm

Example 43: An aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, a downstream airflow path configured to receive aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-forming article; and a downstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect to an aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article, wherein the downstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall around the aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a sealed fluidic connection between the downstream airflow path and the substrate of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 44: The aerosol-forming device of example 43, further comprising: a device body having a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article; a mouthpiece including the downstream airflow path and the downstream fluidic interconnection element.

Example 45: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 43 to 44, further comprising: a mechanism for moving the mouthpiece such that the downstream fluidic interconnection element comes into fluid and/or sealed connection with the aerosol-forming article and/or substrate.

Example 46: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 43 to 45, wherein the blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element is tapered or conical towards a center axis of the airflow path, such that one or more tapered or conical walls of the blade structure are configured to press against an inner wall forming the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 47: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 43 to 46, wherein the blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element forms a cutting end edge, such that the cutting end edge of the blade structure is configured to cut into the wall around the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 48: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 43 to 47, wherein the blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element is tapered or conical towards a center axis of the airflow path, such that one or more tapered or conical walls of the blade structure are configured to press against an inner wall forming the downstream air outlet of the aerosolforming article.

Example 49: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 43 to 48, wherein the blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection forms a cutting end edge, such that the cutting end edge of the blade structure is configured to cut into the wall around the downstream air outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 50: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 43 to 49, wherein the blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection includes lateral air inlets, optionally the interior volume of the blade structure forming a nucleation chamber.

Example 50a: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 43 to 49, further comprising: an upstream airflow path configured to provide air to the aerosol-forming substrate when the article is received in the heating chamber; and an upstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect the upstream airflow path with the aerosol-forming article, wherein the upstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall around an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a fluidic connection between the upstream airflow path and the substrate of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 50b: The aerosol-forming device of the previous Example, wherein the blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element is tapered or conical towards a center axis of the airflow path, such that one or more tapered or conical walls of the blade structure are configured to press against an inner wall forming the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 51 : The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 43 to 50b, wherein the downstream fluidic interconnection element is linearly moveable relative to the an upstream fluidic interconnection element between an open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article, and a use position for generating an aerosol based on heating of at least a part of the aerosol-forming article ; wherein in a use position, a distance between the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element is in a range between 19.2 mm and 39.2 mm, wherein in an open position, a distance between the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element is in a range between 39.2 mm and 89.2 mm.

Example 52: An aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming article and an aerosol-forming device having a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article, the aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate and having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the aerosol-forming device includes: a fluidic interconnection element having a blade structure surrounding a flow path, the blade structure having a first end configured to face towards a side face of the aerosol-forming article, wherein the aerosol-forming article includes: a cavity for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, and a fluidic opening arranged on a side face fl uidical ly connected to the cavity, wherein, upon pressing the aerosol-forming article against the fluidic interconnection element, the blade structure of the fluidic interconnection element is configured to cut or press into a wall around the fluidic opening to provide for a fluidic connection between the aerosolforming device and the removable aerosol-forming article.

Example 53: The aerosol-forming system of example 52, wherein the aerosol-forming device further includes: a mechanism to move the aerosol-forming article relative to the aerosol-forming device in the longitudinal direction to put the aerosol-forming device and the article in a fluidically interconnected state, wherein the flow path of the fluidic interconnection element and the fluidic opening extend in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

Example 54: The aerosol-forming system of any one of examples 52 to 53, wherein an outer wall of the blade structure has a sloped shape thereby increasing or decreasing a thickness of the blade structure in a flow direction along the flow path. Example 55: The aerosol-forming system of any one of examples 52 to 54, wherein in the fluidically interconnected state, a penetration depth of the blade structure into the wall around the fluidic opening is about 0.05 mm to 1 mm, preferably about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

Example 56: An aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the device comprising: a device body forming a main axis of extension; a heating module arranged at least partially inside the device body, the heating module configured to at least partially and removably hold the aerosol-forming article ; a downstream element movably attached to the device body able to move between an open position and a use position, in the open position to provide access to a heating chamber of the heating module for inserting the aerosol-forming article, and in the use position to close the heating module; and a spring biasing mechanism establishing a compressive force acting onto the inserted aerosol-forming article in a direction along the main axis of extension, when the downstream element is in the use position.

Example 57: The aerosol-forming device according to example 56, wherein the compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism acts between the device body and the heating module to press the heating module towards the downstream element when the downstream element is in the use position.

Example 58: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 56 to 57, wherein the heating module is slidably arranged inside the device body to slide along the main axis of extension, and wherein the spring biasing mechanism is configured to push the heating module to be at least partially outside the device body when the downstream element is in the open position.

Example 59: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 56 to 58, wherein the compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism acts onto a center end wall of the heating module.

Example 60: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 56 to 59, wherein the heating module includes a distal end portion that is slidably arranged relative to the heating chamber, wherein the compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism acts onto a distal end portion of the heating module to move the distal end portion into the heating chamber.

Example 61 : The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 56 to 60, wherein the distal end portion includes an upstream flow path and an upstream fluidic interconnection element that is configured to provide a fluidic interconnection with an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. Example 62: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 56 to 61 , wherein the proximal end portion includes a downstream flow path and a downstream fluidic interconnection element that is configured to provide a fluidic interconnection with a downstream air or aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 63: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 56 to 62, wherein the compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism acts between the downstream element and the inserted aerosol-forming article to press aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber when the downstream element is in the use position.

Example 64: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 56 to 63, wherein the spring biasing mechanism includes an elastic element operatively arranged between a body of the downstream element and a downstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect to an aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 65: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 56 to 64, wherein the downstream element includes a mouthpiece.

Example 66: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 56 to 65, further comprising: an interconnection mechanism arranged between the downstream element and the device body, permitting the movement between the open and the use position, wherein the movement includes a rotational movement, a linear movement, or combination of a rotational and linear movement.

Example 66a: An aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous Examples 56 to 66, and an aerosol-forming article.

Example 66b: The aerosol-forming system of the previous Example, wherein the aerosolforming article has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example comprising or defining two opposing main faces or surfaces, two opposing side faces or surfaces, and two opposing end faces or surfaces.

Example 67: An aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, the device comprising: a heating chamber for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article; a convective air heater arranged upstream of the heating chamber in fluidic connection with the heating chamber; wherein the convective air heater includes a slit-shaped air channel and a resistive heating element, for example a substantially or preferably planar resistive heating element, arranged inside the slit-shaped air channel, such that two narrow air flow channels are formed above and below the resistive heating element. Example 67a: The aerosol-forming device of example 67, wherein the resistive heating element is a planarly-extending resistive heating element extending laterally and/or longitudinally inside the slit-shaped air channel.

Example 67b: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 67 to 67a, wherein the convective air heater is connected to an outside environment through a main air inlet of the aerosol-forming device.

Example 68: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 67 to 67b, wherein the two narrow air flow channels have a width in a range between 3 mm to 15 mm, and have a height of less than 0.5 mm and more than 0.05 mm, preferably less than 0.3 mm and more than 0.1 mm, preferably less than 0.25 mm to 0.1 mm.

Example 69: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 67 to 68, wherein the two opposing walls forming the slit-shaped air channel and having the resistive element therebetween are not heated.

Example 69a: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 67 to 69, wherein the two opposing walls forming the slit-shaped air channel and having the resistive element therebetween are formed by a convective heater casing, the convective heater casing being made from a material having a high thermal resistivity or low thermal conductivity, preferably a thermal conductivity below 1 W / (m • K), more preferably below 0.5 W / (m • K), for example a plastic material such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and/or polyaryletherketone (PAEK) and/or polyetherimide (PEI), preferably PEEK.

Example 70: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 67 to 69a, wherein the two opposing walls forming the slit-shaped air channel and having the resistive element therebetween have a structured surface for causing an air flow turbulence.

Example 71 : The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 67 to 70, further comprising: two terminals for electrical interconnection of the convective air heater with the aerosolforming device, the two terminals and the resistive heating element formed by a single sheet of metal.

Example 72: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 67 to 71 , wherein an air flow direction in the convective air heater is in axis with an air flow direction in the heating chamber.

Example 73: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 67 to 72, wherein a downstream end of the convective air heater forms a blade structure around the slit-shaped air channel, configured to cut or press into a wall around an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. Example 74: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 67 to 73, further comprising: a back plate forming at least one lateral airflow path upstream of the slit-shaped air channel and leading to the slit-shaped air channel, the back plate holding the resistive heating element suspended inside the slit-shaped air channel.

Example 75: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 67 to 74, wherein the resistive heating element is formed as a meandering or serpentine structure, extending in-plane of the resistive heating element.

Example 75a: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 67 to 75, further comprising an aerosol-forming article or substrate, wherein the aerosol-forming device is configured to generate aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate.

Example 76: An aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, the device comprising: a heating chamber for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, the heating chamber defining an insertion direction; and a convective air heater assembly arranged upstream of the heating chamber, the convective air heater including a resistive heater element extending therein, the convective air heater being in fluidic connection with the heating chamber, wherein the convective air heater assembly includes two air heating channels leading from each side of the aerosol-forming device to a central air channel, the central air channel leading fluidically to an air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 77: The aerosol-forming device according to example 76, wherein the resistive heater element includes a coil having a main coil axis that extends through the two air heating channels.

Example 78: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 76 to 77, wherein the resistive heater element extends through the two air heating channels.

Example 79: The aerosol-forming device according to example any one of examples 76 to 78, wherein a plane defined by the heating element is perpendicular to the insertion direction.

Example 80: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 76 to 79, further comprising: a back plate between the heating chamber and the convective air heater, the back plate including the central air channel.

Example 81 : The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 76 to 80, wherein the back plate further includes a blade structure around the central air channel, configured to cut or press into a wall around an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. Example 82: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 76 to 81 , wherein the back plate further includes two air inlet holes that are arranged upstream of the air heating channels, respectively, to fluidically connect with the respective one of air heating channels.

Example 83: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 76 to 82, wherein side walls forming the two air heating channels are not heated, and are made of a material with low thermal conductivity.

Example 84: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 76 to 83, wherein side walls forming the two air heating channels have a structured surface for causing an air flow turbulence.

Example 85: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 76 to 84, further comprising: two terminals for electrical interconnection of the convective air heater assembly with the aerosol-forming device, the two terminals and the resistive heating element formed by a single sheet of metal.

Example 86: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 76 to 85, wherein the two air heating channels are arranged in an axis that is perpendicular or orthogonal to the insertion direction.

Example 87A: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 76 to 86, wherein the resistive heater element and/or the resistive heating element is formed from a single sheet of metal.

Example 87B: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 76 to 87A, wherein the resistive heater element and/or the resistive heating element comprises at least one strip of a metal sheet, optionally wherein the strip of metal sheet is perforated and/or includes one or more perforation openings or holes.

Example 87C: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 76 to 87B, wherein the resistive heater element and/or the resistive heating element comprises at least one strip of a metal sheet, the at least one strip being bent or formed into a stack of a plurality of serpentinelike formed branches, preferably the branches of the stack spanning between the two terminals of the resistive heating element; and optionally wherein the stack extends along a stack direction perpendicular or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device.

Example 87D: The aerosol-forming device of any one of examples 76 to 87C, further comprising an aerosol-forming article or substrate, wherein the aerosol-forming device is configured to generate aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate.

Example 88: An aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, an aerosol-forming substrate arranged between the opposing main faces, the device comprising: a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the rectangular parallelepiped aerosol-forming article, the heating chamber defining an insertion direction for the aerosol-forming article; a heating structure, at least an element thereof made of an electrically conductive material, the heating structure arranged inside the heating chamber such that upon insertion of the aerosolforming article into the heating chamber, the heating structure is configured to move towards an opposite side face of the heating chamber so that a heating surface of the heating structure is pressed against one of the main faces of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 89: The aerosol-forming device according to example 88, wherein a compression force exerted onto the inserted aerosol-forming article from one side by the heating structure is in a range between 1 N to 30 N, preferably between 4 N and 25 N, more preferably between 6 N and 20 N, even more preferably about 9.4 N.

Example 90: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 88 to 89, wherein the heating structure includes a first heating element and a second heating element, the first and second heating elements opposing each other and forming an airgap between the first and second heating element and the adjacent side face of the heating chamber, respectively.

Example 91 : The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 88 to 90, wherein the heating structure includes a heating element and a non-heated counter element, the heating element and the non-heated counter element opposing each other, wherein a heater gap is formed between at least the heating element and the adjacent side face of the heating chamber.

Example 92: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 88 to 91 , further comprising: a suspension element configured to hold the heating structure inside the heating chamber and to provide for a compressive force via the heating structure to the inserted aerosol-forming article.

Example 93: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 88 to 92, wherein the heating structure includes at least one heater plate, the at least one heater plate having a front edge at an open end of the heating chamber to be beveled for facilitating an insertion of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 94: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 88 to 93, wherein the heating structure includes at least one heater plate, the at least one heater plate arranged to be oblique to the insertion direction, with a larger gap formed at an open end of the heating chamber, for facilitating an insertion of the aerosol-forming article. Example 95: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 88 to 94, wherein the suspension element includes at least one of a leaf spring, coil spring, and/or an elastomeric element.

Example 96: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 88 to 95, wherein the suspension element includes an active element configured to actively displace at least a part of the heating structure towards the opposite side of the heating chamber.

Example 97: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 88 to 96, wherein the heating structure includes a heating plate formed as a meandering track in the shape of a leaf spring, such that long branches of the meandering track bulge outwardly towards the opposite side of the heating chamber.

Example 98: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 88 to 97, wherein the heating structure includes a heating plate with a plurality of parallelly-arranged heating tracks in parallel to an insertion direction.

Example 99: A heating structure for heating an aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, the heating structure including a distal end and a proximal end, the heating structure comprising: a holding section having two terminals for electrical interconnection arranged at the distal end; a central section including a plurality of parallelly-arranged heater branches; and a proximal end section forming plate-like elements.

Example 100: The heating structure of example 99, wherein a surface area of the plurality of parallelly-arranged heater branches that is configured to come into contact with a main surface of the aerosol-forming article is in a range between 20 mm² and 100 mm², more preferably in a range between 30 mm² and 75 mm², even more preferably between 35 mm² and 70 mm².

Example 101 : The heating structure of any one of examples 99 to 100, wherein the heating structure is made from a single sheet of metal, preferably stainless steel.

Example 102: The heating structure of any one of examples 99 to 101 , wherein the proximal end section is arranged at a first angle relative to the central section.

Example 103: The heating structure of any one of examples 99 to 102, wherein the parallelly-arranged heater branches are connected in series.

Example 104: The heating structure of any one of examples 99 to 103, wherein the parallelly-arranged heater branches form a meandering element.

Example 105: The heating structure of any one of examples 99 to 104, wherein the parallelly-arranged heater branches includes between two and twenty branches, preferably between four and twelve branches. Example 106: The heating structure of any one of examples 99 to 105, wherein the holding section includes a connection element having two portions thereof interconnecting to the two terminals, the connection element arranged at a second angle relative to the central section.

Example 107: The heating structure of any one of examples 99 to 106, wherein the single sheet of metal has a thickness in a range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably in a range of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, preferably about 0.15 mm.

Example 107a: The heating structure of any one of examples 99 to 107, wherein the terminals protrude from the heater branches in the same direction, for example in parallel.

Example 107b: The heating structure of any one of examples 99 to 107a, wherein the terminals have a resistivity that is lower than the one of the heater branches, for example by being wider and/or thicker.

Example 107c: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 88 to 98 or the heating structure of any one of examples 99 to 107b, further comprising an aerosol-forming article or substrate, wherein the aerosol-forming device or the heating structure is configured to generate aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate.

Example 108: A heater module for an aerosol-forming device, the heater module configured to removably and at least partially receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, the heater module comprising: a heating structure including two opposing heating elements forming a substantially rectangular parallelepiped heating volume therebetween for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, the heating volume arranged inside a heating chamber and defining an insertion axis; a heater casing made of a non-conductive and/or thermally insulating material forming an outer shell around the two opposing heating elements, two smaller inner side faces of the heater casing forming the inner small side faces of the heating chamber; and a back plate forming a distal end wall of the heating chamber, the back plate having an upstream air inlet for fluidic connection with the aerosol-forming article.

Example 109: The heater module according to example 108, wherein the heating chamber is configured to at least partially receive the aerosol-forming article having a length as measured along the insertion axis in a range between 20 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm, more preferably about 30 mm, having a width in a range between 7 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 9 mm and 13 mm, more preferably about 11 mm, and a thickness of between 2 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 4 mm, more preferably about 3.1 mm.

Example 110: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 109, wherein the heating chamber is configured to have an insertion depth along the insertion axis in a range between 10 mm and 35 mm, preferably in a range between 15 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between 15 mm and 25 mm.

Example 111 : The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 110, wherein the heating chamber is configured to have an insertion depth that is shorter than a length of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 112: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 111 , wherein the aerosol-forming substrate that is located inside the aerosol-forming article is placed such that upon insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, the aerosol-forming substrate is fully inserted into the heating volume, to be facing the two opposing heating elements.

Example 113: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 112, wherein the heating chamber has a width between the two inner small side faces between 7.2 mm and 15.2 mm, preferably between 9.2 mm and 13.2 mm, more preferably about 11.2 mm.

Example 114: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 113, wherein the heating chamber has a width between the two inner small side faces to provide for an interference fit, a press-fit, or a friction-fit with the small side surfaces of aerosol-forming article.

Example 115: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 114, wherein the heating chamber has a height between two inner large side faces of the heater casing between 2 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 3 mm and 8 mm, even more preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm.

Example 116: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 115, wherein a heater gap is formed between at least one of the two opposing heating elements and a large inner side surface of the heating chamber.

Example 117: The heater module of any one of examples 108 to 116, wherein one of the two opposing heating elements includes an electrically conducting heatable element, wherein the other one of the two opposing heating elements includes a non-conductive counter plate.

Example 118: The heater module of any one of examples 108 to 117, wherein both of two opposing heating elements are electrically conducting forming two opposing heatable elements.

Example 119: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 118, wherein the conductive heating elements are configured to act as dielectric heater electrodes of a load capacitor supplied with an RF voltage.

Example 120: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 119, wherein at least one of the opposing heating elements include one or more branches acting as resistive or Joule-type heater elements.

Example 121 : The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 120, wherein at least one of the branches are spring-like elements shaped to define the heating volume, arranged to be substantially parallel with the insertion axis. Example 122: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 121, further comprising: an inductor coil wound around the insertion axis, around, inside, or at least partially inside the heater casing, the induction coil configured to be powered by an AC voltage or current to induce currents inside at least one of the opposing heating elements to act as one or more susceptors of an inductive heater.

Example 123: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 122, further comprising: a convective air heater assembly arranged to fluidically interface with the upstream air inlet of the backplate, the airflow path defined by the upstream air inlet and the convective air inlet being substantially in a center extending along the insertion direction.

Example 124: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 123, wherein the small inner side faces of the heater casing include at least one channel extending in parallel to an insertion direction along the heating chamber and forming an upstream airflow path.

Example 125: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 124, further comprising: a puff sensing module arranged in fluidic connection with the upstream air inlet of the backplate.

Example 126: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 125, wherein the puff sensing module includes a sensing cavity located in a center of the device, arranged to fluidically connect to the upstream air inlet.

Example 127: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 126, further comprising: a sensing device or reader module placed at the heater casing configured to read an indicium from a surface of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 128: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 127, wherein a least one of two opposing heating elements includes two electrical connection terminals, the at least one of the two opposing heating elements with the corresponding two electrical connection terminals formed from a single metal sheet.

Example 129: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 128, wherein the two electrical connection terminals are configured to protrude in a distal direction away from the heater casing, in parallel to the insertion direction.

Example 130: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 129, further comprising: attachment means for removably holding the heater module inside the aerosol-forming device, for example inside an insulating casing, the attachment means configured to release the heater module from the aerosol-forming device, permitting a removal of the heating module via a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device.

Example 130a: The heater module according to the previous example, wherein the attachment means comprise one or more mounting protrusions and one or more mounting guides, wherein the mounting protrusions and the mounting guides are complementary to each other and enable a sliding movement between the heating module and an insulating casing, in which the heating module is removably held.

Example 131 : The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 130a, wherein the branches are arranged to form a meandering shape, with the longer branches of the meandering shape arranged to be substantially in parallel with the insertion direction.

Example 132: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 131 , wherein the longer branches of the meandering shape are configured to contact a surface of the aerosolforming article when inserted into the heating chamber at a location where the substrate is placed, the longer branches having a higher resistance than the other elements of the opposing heating elements.

Example 133: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 132, further comprising: an insulation casing arranged around the heater casing.

Example 134: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 133, wherein an upstream airflow path is formed between an insulating casing and the heater casing, for example wherein the heater casing is arranged inside the insulating casing, arranged in parallel to the insertion direction, with an air inlet formed at the proximal end of the heater module and insulating casing, and/or wherein an upstream airflow path is formed in the heater casing, for example in a sidewall of the heater casing, arranged in parallel to the insertion direction, with an air inlet formed at the proximal end of the heater module, and/or wherein an upstream airflow path is formed in an insulating casing, for example in a sidewall of the insulating casing, arranged in parallel to the insertion direction, with an air inlet formed at the proximal end of the insulating casing.

Example 134a: The heater module according to the previous example, wherein the upstream airflow path is formed by an air channel and wherein the air channel comprises a flat or substantially flat hollow space, for example wherein a clearance of the air channel in the height direction is smaller than a clearance of the air channel in the width direction, wherein the height direction and the width direction of the air channel are both perpendicular and/or orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the heater module and/or the aerosol-forming device. Example 135: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 134a, wherein the heating chamber has a height defined by the two opposing heating elements between the two inner large side faces to provide for an interference fit, a press-fit, or a friction-fit with the aerosolforming article.

Example 136: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 135, further comprising: two heater clamps for holding at least a portion of the opposing heating elements against the corresponding part of the heater casing.

Example 137: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 136, wherein the two heater clamps have a U-shape.

Example 138: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 137, wherein a smallest clearance distance of the heater volume is in a range between 1 mm to 6 mm, more preferably in a range between 2 mm and 3.5 mm.

Example 139: The heater module according to any one of examples 108 to 138, further comprising: a reader module configured to read information that is provided with the aerosol-forming article for at least one of authenticating or classifying the aerosol-forming article.

Example 140: An aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming article and an aerosol-forming device having a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article, the aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate and having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, wherein the heating chamber includes: two opposing heater elements and/or heating elements forming a substantially rectangular parallelepiped heating volume therebetween for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, the heating volume defining an insertion axis; wherein the aerosol-forming article has a length as measured along the insertion axis in a range between 20 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm, more preferably about 30 mm, having a width in a range between 7 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 9 mm and 13 mm, more preferably about 11 mm, and a thickness direction of between 1 mm and 10 mm, for example between 2 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 4 mm, more preferably about 3.1 mm.

Example 141 : The aerosol-forming system of example 141 , wherein at least one central section of the heater elements and/or heating elements is configured to elastically flex in a thickness direction that is perpendicular to the insertion direction, such that upon insertion of the aerosol-forming article to the heating chamber, a contact force between the central section and one of the main faces of the rectangular parallelepiped aerosol-forming article is established. Example 142: The aerosol-forming system of any one of examples 140 to 141 , wherein a flex distance established by the at least one central section between an inserted and removed aerosol-forming article is in a range between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, more preferably in a range between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, even more preferably in a range between 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

Example 143: The aerosol-forming system of any one of examples 140 to 142, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate has a substantially planar shape and is located between a top and bottom cover sheet inside the aerosol-forming article, the substrate having a length as measured in parallel to the insertion direction of about 8 mm to 15 mm, preferably about 12 mm, and having a width as measured perpendicularly to the insertion direction of about 6 mm to 13 mm, preferably about 8 mm.

Example 144: An aerosol-forming device, comprising: a first housing part including a heating chamber configured to receive an aerosol-forming article; and a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part, such that the second housing part is movable relative to the first housing part along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device between an open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article, and a use position for generating an aerosol based on heating of at least a part of the aerosol-forming article ; wherein the second housing part includes a fixation means configured to engage with the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is movable along the longitudinal direction based on movement of the second housing part along the longitudinal direction.

Example 145: The aerosol-forming device according to example 144, wherein the fixation means is configured to engage with the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is insertable into the heating chamber of the first housing part based on movement of the second housing part from the open position to the use position; and/or wherein the fixation means is configured to clamp the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is at least partly pushed into the heating chamber of the first housing part by displacing the second housing part from the open position to the use position.

Example 146: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 145, wherein the fixation means is configured to engage with the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is removable from the heating chamber of the first housing part based on displacing the second housing part from the use position to the open position; and/or wherein the fixation means is configured to clamp the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is pulled out of the heating chamber of the first housing part by displacing the second housing part from the use position to the open position. Example 147: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 146, wherein the fixation means is configured to engage with an end portion of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 148: The aerosol-forming device according example 147, wherein the fixation means is configured to at least partly surround an end portion of the aerosol-forming article along a perimeter, such that the aerosol-forming article is fixed relative to the second housing part.

Example 149: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 148, wherein the fixation means includes a recess configured to receive an end portion of the aerosolforming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is fixed relative to the second housing part, preferably wherein the recess is formed to at least partly surround the end portion of the aerosolforming article.

Example 150: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 149, wherein the fixation means comprises one or more fixation brackets or spring loaded arms, hooks or pins configured to clamp hold the aerosol-forming article and/or an end portion thereof.

Example 150a: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 150, wherein the fixation means are configured to engage with the aerosol-forming article by penetration into side walls of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 150b: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 150a, wherein the fixation means are made of a single piece of bent sheet metal.

Example 151 : The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the examples 150 to 150b, wherein the fixation means comprises at least two opposing fixation brackets, wherein the at least two fixation brackets are spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, such that an end portion of the aerosol-forming article is receivable between the fixation brackets.

Example 152: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 151 , wherein each of the fixation brackets is spring-loaded towards a longitudinal axis of the aerosolforming device, such that receipt of the aerosol-forming article between the fixation brackets creates a clamping retention fixing the aerosol-forming article between the fixation brackets.

Example 153: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 150 to 152, wherein each of the one or more fixation brackets is curved towards a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device.

Example 154: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 153, wherein, in the use position of the second housing part, the heating chamber is closed and/or covered by the second housing part. Example 155: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 154, wherein the heating chamber is configured to receive the aerosol-forming article along the longitudinal direction; and/or wherein the heating chamber is arranged such that the aerosol-forming article is insertable into the heating chamber along the longitudinal direction.

Example 156: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 155, wherein the second housing part is coupled to the first housing part in a sliding relationship; and/or wherein the second housing part is slidably coupled to the first housing part.

Example 157. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 156, wherein a relative displacement of the first housing part and the second housing part between the open position and the use position is such that the aerosol-forming article is fully removable from the heating chamber when the first housing part is slid to the open position relative to the second housing part.

Example 158. The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the relative displacement of the first housing part and the second housing part between the open position and the use position is in a range between 20 mm and 50 mm.

Example 159: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 158, wherein the first housing part comprises one or more first slide means and the second housing part comprises one or more second slide means, wherein each of the one or more second slide means is configured to at least partly engage with a respective one of the one or more first slide means, such that the second housing part is slidably coupled to the first housing part.

Example 160: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 159, wherein the second housing part comprises a support element configured to support and/or hold the aerosol-forming article, wherein, in the open position of the second housing part, the support element protrudes from an end of the second housing part along the longitudinal axis towards the first housing part.

Example 161 : The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the support element is slidably arranged at the first housing part, preferably wherein the support element comprises one or more slide protrusions configured to slidably engage with one or more slide grooves of the first housing part.

Example 162: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 160 to 161 , wherein, in the use position of the second housing part, the support element forms a rear wall of a housing of the aerosol-forming device.

Example 163: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 162, wherein the support element is configured to support a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped aerosol-forming article, preferably wherein the support element comprises a substantially flat support area configured to support and/or hold the substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped aerosol-forming article.

Example 164: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 163, wherein the support element includes a guide for supporting a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped aerosol-forming article.

Example 165: The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the guide is configured to clamp hold the aerosol-forming article, preferably wherein the guide is configured to fix the aerosol-forming article on at least two opposing sides of the aerosol-forming article.

Example 166: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 164 to 165, wherein the guide comprises a depression for receiving the aerosol-forming article, preferably wherein the depression defines a substantially flat support area configured to support and/or hold a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped aerosol-forming article.

Example 167: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 166, wherein the second housing part includes a mouthpiece configured to deliver aerosol to the mouth of a user.

Example 168: The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the mouthpiece is configured to be replaceable and is removably fastened to the second housing part.

Example 169: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 167 to 168, wherein the mouthpiece is at least partly retractable into and/or extractable out of the second housing part, for example based on actuating a mouthpiece actuator movably arranged on the second housing part or the first housing part.

Example 170: The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein, in the open position of the second housing part, retraction of the mouthpiece into the second housing part disengages and/or releases the aerosol-forming article from the fixation means.

Example 171 : The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 167 to 170, wherein the second housing part or the first housing part includes a mouthpiece actuator actuatable by a user to slide the mouthpiece out of the second housing part and/or to retract the mouthpiece into the second housing part.

Example 172: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 171 , further comprising an aerosol-forming article receivable in the heating chamber to generate aerosol, preferably wherein the aerosol-forming device is configured to generate aerosol based on heating at least a part of the aerosol-forming article. Example 173: An aerosol-forming system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 172 and a companion device configured to charge the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy.

Example 174: Use of an aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 144 to 172 or an aerosol-forming system according to example 173 for aerosol consumption, in particular for consumption of nicotine-containing aerosol.

Example 175: A method of loading an aerosol-forming article into a heating chamber of an aerosol-forming device, for example an aerosol-forming device according to any one of the examples given herein, wherein the aerosol-forming device comprises a first housing part, which includes the heating chamber, and a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part, such that the second housing part is movable relative to the first housing part along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming, the method comprising: moving the second housing part from a use position, in which the heating chamber is covered by the second housing part, into a open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article, inserting the aerosol-forming article at least partly into the heating chamber; and moving the second housing part from the open position into the use position, thereby at least partly engaging the aerosol-forming article with a fixation means arranged at the second housing part, such that the aerosol-forming article is pushed by a relative movement of the first housing part and the second housing part completely into the heating chamber.

Example 176: The method according to the previous example, further comprising: moving the second housing part from the use position into the open position, thereby pulling the aerosol-forming article engaged with the fixation means of the second housing part out of the heating chamber.

Example 177: An aerosol-forming device including a device housing and a mouthpiece, wherein the device housing includes a storage chamber for the mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece is movable between a storage position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly arranged inside the storage chamber, and a use position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly displaced from the storage position and at least partly protrudes from the device housing, wherein an actuator is movably arranged on the device housing, the actuator being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the movement of the mouthpiece between the storage position and the use position is actuatable by the movement of the actuator between the first position and the second position, wherein a heating chamber is arranged in the device housing, the heating chamber being configured to heat an aerosol-forming article or substrate, wherein an airflow channel is provided in the device housing, wherein the airflow channel is configured to conduct aerosol from the heating chamber through the mouthpiece for inhalation by a user, wherein downstream of the heating chamber, the airflow channel includes at least one air inlet channel in the device housing, the at least one air inlet channel being configured to provide a fluid coupling between the airflow channel and an outside environment and being configured to provide an air flow from the outside environment into the airflow channel, wherein the air inlet channel is blocked when the mouthpiece is in the storage position and open when the mouthpiece is in the use position.

Example 178: The aerosol-forming device according to example 177, wherein, in the storage position, the mouthpiece is arranged inside the storage chamber and flush with an outer contour of the device housing.

Example 179: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 177 to 178, wherein the air inlet channel is connected to a nucleation chamber, wherein the nucleation chamber is a part of the airflow channel downstream of the heating chamber having an increased inner diameter in comparison to parts of the airflow channel upstream and/or downstream of the nucleation chamber.

Example 180: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 177 to 179, wherein the mouthpiece includes a locking device configured to provide a resistance against a movement of the mouthpiece out of the storage position and/or out of the use position.

Example 181 : The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the locking device includes at least one magnet.

Example 182: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 177 to 181 , wherein the mouthpiece includes a sealing device configured to provide an airtight sealing between a part of the airflow channel in the mouthpiece and a part of the airflow channel in the device housing.

Example 183: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 177 to 182, wherein the sealing device includes a sealing ring and the locking device includes at least one groove in the mouthpiece and/or the device housing, for example a part of the device housing forming the airflow channel, and wherein the movement of the mouthpiece between the storage position and the use position actuates a movement of the sealing ring and the groove relative to each other.

Example 184: The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the sealing ring is arranged in a use position groove when the mouthpiece is in the use position and/or the sealing ring is arranged in a storage position groove when the mouthpiece is in the storage position.

Example 185: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 177 to 184, wherein the mouthpiece is removably attached to the device housing.

Example 186: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 177 to 185, wherein the movement of the mouthpiece between the storage position and the use position and/or the movement of the actuator between the first position and the second position is a linear sliding motion.

Example 187: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 177 to 186, wherein the heating chamber and the storage chamber are adjacent to each other and partly overlap, so that an aerosol-forming article or substrate received in the heating chamber at least partly protrudes into the storage chamber.

Example 188: The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the mouthpiece is configured so that the movement of the mouthpiece from the use position to the storage position displaces the aerosol-forming article or substrate from the storage chamber.

Example 189: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 177 to 188, wherein the mouthpiece is configured so that the loading of the aerosol-forming article or substrate at least partly into the heating chamber displaces the mouthpiece from the storage position towards the use position.

Example 190: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 177 to 189, further comprising an aerosol-forming article or substrate, preferably wherein the aerosol-forming device is configured to generate aerosol based on heating at least a part of the aerosol-forming substrate or article.

Example 191 : An aerosol-forming system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 177 to 190 and a companion device configured to charge the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy.

Example 192: The aerosol-forming system according to the previous example, wherein the aerosol-forming device and the companion device each include at least one energy storage, the companion device being configured to charge the energy storage of the aerosolforming device with electrical energy from the energy storage of the companion device, wherein a position sensor is provided on the aerosol-forming device or the companion device, the position sensor being configured to detect the position of the mouthpiece in the storage position and/or the use position, wherein a switch device is provided on the aerosol-forming device or the companion device, the switch device being configured to direct power from the energy storage of the companion device to a heating device of the aerosol-forming device when the mouthpiece is in the use position.

Example 193: The aerosol-forming system according to the previous example, wherein the switch device is configured to direct power from the energy storage of the companion device to the energy storage of the aerosol-forming device when the mouthpiece is displaced from the use position or is in the storage position.

Example 194: A method of controlling air flow through an air inlet channel of an airflow channel in an aerosol-forming device, for example an aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 177 to 190, the air inlet channel being arranged downstream of a heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device and providing a connection between the airflow channel and an outside environment, the method including: moving a mouthpiece of the aerosol-forming device between a storage position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly arranged inside the storage chamber, and a use position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly displaced from the storage position and at least partly protrudes from the device housing, by moving an actuator between a first position and a second position, closing the air inlet channel when the mouthpiece is moved into the storage position, and opening the air inlet channel when the mouthpiece is moved into the use position.

Example 195: An aerosol-forming device comprising: a device housing with a first housing part and a second housing part; and an housing actuator movably arranged on the first housing part, the housing actuator being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first housing part includes a heating chamber, wherein the heating chamber is configured to heat a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped aerosol-forming article or substrate and includes a loading opening, the loading opening being configured to receive the aerosol-forming article or substrate, wherein the second housing part is fixed to the first housing part via a rotational joint and rotatably movable between a use position and an open position by movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position, and wherein the second housing part covers the loading opening of the heating chamber in the use position, and wherein the second housing part is removed from the loading opening of the heating chamber in the open position.

Example 196: The aerosol-forming device according to example 195, wherein the movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position is mechanically translated into the movement of the second housing part between the use position and the open position.

Example 197: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 196, wherein the movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position is a linear movement, in particular a linear sliding movement.

Example 198: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 197, wherein the housing actuator includes a linearly moveable worm or rack and the second housing part comprises a gear or pinion, the gear or pinion being rotatable about a rotational axis of the rotational joint, and wherein the worm or rack meshes with the gear or pinion during movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position.

Example 199: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 198, wherein the movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position is transverse to a rotational axis of the rotational joint.

Example 200: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 199, wherein the first housing part has an elongated shape, for example a substantially cylindrical shape, and the second housing part, in the use position, is arranged flush with the first housing part and extends the shape of the first housing part, for example in a tapered manner.

Example 201 : The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 200, wherein the second housing part includes a mouthpiece configured to deliver aerosol to the mouth of a user.

Example 202: The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the mouthpiece is configured to be replaceable and is removably fastened to the second housing part.

Example 203: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 202, wherein the mouthpiece is at least partly retractable into and/or extractable out of the second housing part, for example based on actuating a mouthpiece actuator movably arranged on the second housing part or the first housing part.

Example 204: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 203, wherein the second housing part includes at least a part of an airflow channel connected to the heating chamber.

Example 205: The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the first housing part and/or the second housing part includes a sealing device, for example a sealing lip, configured to connect an airflow channel included in the second housing part to an airflow channel and/or the heating chamber in the first housing part.

Example 206: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 205, wherein the second housing part includes a piercing connector configured to be at least partly piercingly insertable into the aerosol-forming article or substrate.

Example 207: The aerosol-forming device according to the previous example, wherein the piercing connector comprises a circumferential insertion edge, preferably wherein the circumferential insertion edge is at least partly sharpened or the entire circumferential insertion edge is sharpened.

Example 208: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 207, wherein the device housing includes a locking means configured to lock the second housing part in the use position and/or in the open position.

Example 209: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 208, wherein the device housing includes a spring-load, and the second housing part is spring-loaded by the spring-load to stay in the use position and/or in the open position.

Example 210: The aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 209, further comprising an aerosol-forming article or substrate, preferably wherein the aerosol-forming device is configured to generate aerosol based on heating at least a part of the aerosol-forming substrate or article. Example 211 : An aerosol-forming system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 210, examples 195 to 203, examples 177 to 190, examples 144 to 172, examples 88 to 98, examples 76 to 87C, examples 67 to 75, examples 56 to 66, examples 43 to 51 , examples 31 to 39 or examples 1 to 16C, and one or both an aerosolforming article and a companion device configured to charge the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy.

212: Use of aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 210, examples 195 to 203, examples 177 to 190, examples 144 to 172, examples 88 to 98, examples 76 to 87C, examples 67 to 75, examples 56 to 66, examples 43 to 51 , examples 31 to 39 or examples 1 to 16C for aerosol consumption.

Example 213: A method of loading an aerosol-forming article or substrate into a heating chamber of an aerosol-forming device, for example an aerosol-forming device according to any one of examples 195 to 210, wherein the aerosol-forming device includes a device housing including a first housing part and a second housing part, the second housing part being fixed to the first housing part via a rotational joint, the method comprising: moving an housing actuator on the first housing part from a first position into a second position; translating the movement of the housing actuator between the first and second positions into a rotation of the second housing part from a use position, in which the second housing part covers a loading opening of the heating chamber, into a open position, in which the second housing part is removed from the loading opening of the heating chamber.

Example 214: The method according to the previous example, further comprising: inserting an aerosol-forming article or substrate into the heating chamber through the loading opening; moving the housing actuator on the first housing part from the second position into the first position; translating the movement of the housing actuator between the second and first positions into a rotation of the second housing part from the open position to the use position.

Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

Figure 1 shows an aerosol-forming system comprising an aerosol-forming device;

Figure 2 shows an aerosol-forming article;

Figure 3 shows an schematic overview of a heater module;

Figure 4 shows an overview of the heating module and heating chamber;

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of a heater module; Figure 6 shows a heating element;

Figure 7 shows a heating element;

Figure 8 shows two heating elements;

Figure 9 shows a heating element;

Figure 10 shows an arrangement of an aerosol-forming article between a heating element and a supporting element;

Figure 11 shows a reader module reading information from the aerosol-forming article;

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a heater module and a convective heating assembly;

Figure 13 shows an aerosol-forming article in a heating chamber;

Figure 14 shows a force acting on a surface;

Figure 15 shows a heating element;

Figure 16 shows a heating element;

Figure 17 shows a heating element pressing against an aerosol-forming article;

Figure 18 shows a side view of different heating elements pressing against an aerosolforming article;

Figure 19 shows a front view of the entrance into a heating chamber with an aerosol-forming article inserted;

Figure 20 shows the assembly of a heating chamber;

Figure 21 shows two heating elements;

Figure 22 shows the insertion of an aerosol-forming article between two heating elements;

Figure 23 shows the insertion of an aerosol-forming article and a heating element;

Figure 24 shows more details of an aerosol-forming article;

Figure 24a shows an embodiment of a temperature sensor for the heating elements in the heating chamber;

Figure 24b shows an embodiment of a non-contact temperature sensor for the heating elements in the heating chamber;

Figure 24c shows an embodiment of an integral temperature sensor for the heating elements in the heating chamber;

Figure 24d shows an embodiment of a magnetization temperature sensor for the heating elements in the heating chamber;

Figure 24e shows an embodiment of an non-contact substrate temperature sensor for the substrate in the aerosol-forming article;

Figure 24f shows an embodiment of an substrate temperature sensor for the substrate in the aerosol-forming article; Figure 25 shows a device air inlet;

Figure 26 shows another device air inlet; Figure 27 shows an airflow path through the aerosol-forming device;

Figure 28 shows anther detail of the airflow path through the aerosol-forming device;

Figure 29 shows air passages at the insertion opening of the heating chamber;

Figure 30 shows another airflow path through the aerosol-forming device;

Figure 30a shows a modular heater casing comprising an air channel within an insulating casing and an outer casing;

Figure 30b shows a cross section through a heater casing comprising an air channel in an insulating casing;

Figure 30c shows a heater casing comprising an air channel in an insulating casing;

Figure 30d shows a heater casing comprising an air channel;

Figure 30e shows an insulating casing comprising an air channel;

Figure 31 shows a side view of an aerosol-forming article being penetrated by two fluidic interconnection elements;

Figure 32 shows an open heating chamber with a bottom fluidic interconnection element;

Figure 33 shows a cross-section in the area of a top fluidic interconnection element;

Figure 34 shows the closing of the aerosol-forming device and the penetration of the aerosol-forming article by a fluidic interconnection element in the case of a hinged rotatably connected mouthpiece portion;

Figure 34a shows an airflow path through the aerosol-forming device;

Figure 35 shows a top fluidic interconnection element;

Figure 36 shows a front view of a top fluidic interconnection element;

Figure 37 shows a back view of a top fluidic interconnection element;

Figure 38 shows a front view of a bottom fluidic interconnection element;

Figure 39 shows a back view of a bottom fluidic interconnection element;

Figure 40 shows a cross section through the distal end of a heating chamber and convective heating assembly;

Figure 41 shows another cross section through the distal end of a heating chamber and convective heating assembly;

Figure 41a shows a cross-sectional view of a variation of the fluidic interconnection elements and blade structure;

Figure 41 b shows a cross-sectional view of another variation of the fluidic interconnection elements and blade structure;

Figure 42 shows an arrangement of the convective heating assembly and the heating chamber;

Figure 43 shows a cross section of a convective heating assembly;

Figure 44 shows a resistive heating element of a convective heating assembly; Figure 45 shows six resistive heating elements of a convective heating assembly;

Figure 46 shows another resistive heating element of a convective heating assembly;

Figure 47 shows another perspective view of the resistive heating element of Figure 46;

Figure 48 shows another resistive heating element of a convective heating assembly;

Figure 49 shows the arrangement of a resistive heating element in a convective heating assembly;

Figure 49a shows a temperature gradient in a cross section of an airflow along a flat resistive heating element in a convective heating assembly;

Figure 49b shows a cross section of an airflow along a 3D resistive heating element in a convective heating assembly;

Figure 50 shows a possible surface structuring for the provision of a turbulent flow in the convective heating assembly;

Figure 51 shows another possible surface structuring for the provision of a turbulent flow in the convective heating assembly;

Figure 51a shows an embodiment of a temperature sensor for the convective heating assembly;

Figure 51 b shows an embodiment of a non-contact temperature sensor for the convective heating assembly;

Figure 51c shows an embodiment of an integral temperature sensor for the convective heating assembly;

Figure 51 d shows an embodiment of a magnetization temperature sensor for the convective heating assembly;

Figure 51 e shows an embodiment of an air temperature sensor for the convective heating assembly;

Figure 52 shows a cross-section through an aerosol-forming device with a spring load;

Figure 53 shows the spring loading of an aerosol-forming device;

Figure 54 shows the spring loading of a heating chamber;

Figure 55 shows the spring loading of a top fluidic interconnection element;

Figure 56 shows a perspective cross section through a top fluidic interconnection element;

Figure 57 shows a schematic of the spring loading of the top fluidic interconnection element;

Figure 58 shows the spring loading of a distal end portion of the heating chamber;

Figure 59 shows an aerosol-forming system;

Figure 60 shows an aerosol-forming device with a sliding mouthpiece portion in an opened or loading position;

Figure 61 shows the clamping of an aerosol-forming article on the mouthpiece portion;

Figure 62 shows a recess with fixation means on the mouthpiece portion; Figure 63 shows the extraction of an aerosol-forming article from the heating chamber;

Figure 64 shows an aerosol-forming system;

Figure 65 shows an aerosol-forming device with a pivoting mouthpiece portion in an opened or loading position;

Figure 66 shows the translation of a linear motion of an actuator into the pivoting of the mouthpiece portion;

Figure 67 shows an aerosol-forming device with a retractable mouthpiece;

Figure 68 shows the sealing function of a retractable mouthpiece;

Figure 69 shows the recharging of an energy storage of the aerosol-forming device when the mouthpiece is retracted; and

Figure 70 shows using the energy from the companion device for a usage session when the mouthpiece is in the usage position.

Herein, identical reference numerals are used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. Also, the images in the drawings are simplified and schematic for illustration purposes and may not be depicted to scale.

The present disclosure shows and describes several embodiments which may comprise alternative solutions for specific cases or considerations. However, it is noted that the present disclosure pertains to a complete device which may comprise any combination of features described herein. Especially, it is noted that any of the features of any of the described embodiments may be freely combined with any other features of any other embodiments of the present disclosure. The disclosure is presented in embodiments for explanatory purposes only, and the presentation as specific embodiments does not mean that the features of one embodiment may not be complementary to other features, for example of other embodiments.

Figure 1 shows an aerosol-forming system 4 for generating aerosol, for example for consumption or inhalation by a user in one or more usage sessions. The system 4 may comprise at least one of an aerosol-forming device 1 or aerosol-generating device 1 for generating aerosol and a companion device 3 for at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming device 1. The companion device 3 may be a charging device for charging the aerosol-forming device 1 and/or an energy storage 15 or battery thereof.

The aerosol-forming device 1 may comprise an insertion opening for at least partially inserting an aerosol-forming article or aerosol-generating article, which is explained in more detail below. The aerosol-forming article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco containing substrate and/or other active ingredient, and/or a cartridge comprising a liquid, for example a liquid that can be aerosolized for inhalation. The aerosol may be inhaled by a user using a mouthpiece 901. The aerosol may contain nicotine. The aerosol-forming device 1 may further include processing circuitry or control circuitry with at least one controller 5 and one or more processors 17. For generating the aerosol during use or consumption of the aerosol-forming article, the aerosol-forming device 1 may comprise at least one heating element 6, 7 or heater device for applying heat to at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate and/or at least a part of the aerosol-forming article. Instead of the heating element 6, 7, a non-heat or non-thermal aerosolization device can be used, for example an ultrasonic device (not shown) may also be used to generate aerosol from the aerosol-forming article. The processing circuitry and/or the controller s and/or the processor 17 may be configured to control actuation, activation and/or deactivation of at least one heating element 6, 7 or non- thermal aerosolization device. In the following, the heating elements 6, 7 will be described with a focus on resistive heating elements 6, 7, also referred to herein as Joule-type heating elements. However, the heater does not necessarily have to be a resistive/Joule-type heater. Thus, the heating elements 6, 7 may alternatively also be configured as inductive heaters, radiation-based heaters such as infrared heaters, as well as microwave or dielectric heaters. For example, heating elements 6, 7 may be dielectric heaters, where opposing electrodes of a load capacitor supplied with an oscillating voltage are spring-loaded or movable to create a firm contact with opposing surfaces of the aerosol-forming article 20, with the substrate 23 located between the electrodes. It is possible that the two heating elements 6, 7 may be acting as external susceptors to the substrate that are heated by one or more coils wound around the two heating elements 6, 7 supplied with an AC voltage, for example a coil that is part of heater casing 35. The coil axis may coincide with the insertion axis for the aerosol-forming article 20 into the heating chamber 30. As another variant, heater elements 6, 7 may be dielectric heating plates of a load capacitor, that can be subjected to an RF voltage feed. The features described for the resistive heating elements 6, 7 herein are also applicable to these alternatives.

For powering the at least one heating element 6, 7 with electrical power, the aerosol-forming device 1 may further comprise the at least one energy storage 15, for example in the form of a removable and/or rechargeable battery, for storing electrical energy or power. Both the aerosolforming device 1 and the companion device 3 may each comprise an energy storage 15 and the energy storage 15 may be electrically coupled to the respective device 1 , 3. In particular, energy storage 15 may be removably couplable to the aerosol-forming device 1 and/or the companion device 3. In other words, energy storage 15 may be a replaceable energy storage or battery. The connection between the energy storage 15 and the devices 1 , 3 may be configured so that the devices 1 , 3 may be run by electrical energy provided by the energy storage 15. Additionally, the connection between the energy storage 15 and the aerosol-forming device 1 and/or the companion device 3 may be configured so that data may be transmitted between the processing circuitries of the aerosol-forming device 1 and/or the companion device 3 and the energy storage 15.

The aerosol-forming device 1 may further comprise at least one electrical connector 12 for coupling to a corresponding at least one electrical connector 13 of the companion device 3 and/or an electrical connector of an external power supply (not shown), e.g., a USB connector with a USB charger. For example, when the aerosol-forming device 1 is at least partially inserted into the opening of the companion device 3, the one or more electrical connectors 12 of the aerosolforming device 1 may be coupled with the one or more electrical connectors 13 of the companion device 3 to charge the at least one energy storage 15 of the aerosol-forming device 1. The charging can also be performed wirelessly.

The aerosol-forming device 1 may further comprise a communications arrangement 9 or communication circuitry 9 with one or more communications interfaces 10 for communicatively coupling the aerosol-forming device 1 with the companion device 3 or other devices, for example, via an Internet connection, a wireless LAN connection, a WiFi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a mobile phone network, a mobile data connection for example but not limited to a 3G/4G/5G connection, an edge connection, an LTE connection, a BUS connection, a wireless connection, a wired connection, an optical data connection such as but not limited to IrDa, a radio connection, a near field connection, and/or an loT connection.

The aerosol-forming device 1 may further comprise a data storage 11 or memory for storing information, program code or data. Data storage 11 may also store collected values of sensors and/or one or more mathematical functions or formulas, software and computer instructions that can be executed by the processing circuitry, particularly controller 5 and/or processor 17. One or more sensors 16 may be arranged on, at or in the aerosol-forming device 1 or the companion device 3 to collect data. One or more of the sensors 16 may for example be temperature sensors, strain sensors, accelerometers or any other suitable sensors.

The aerosol-forming device 1 may further comprise user interface components, for example comprising an input element or input device 19, for example in the form of a pushbutton or a capacitive button. The input device 19 may be used as a power button to activate or deactivate the heating element 6, 7 or ultrasonic device for aerosol generation thereby to activate or deactivate the aerosol-forming device 1. Upon activation of the aerosol-forming device 1 , the heating element 6, 7 may be activated and heat may be applied to at least a part of the aerosolforming article, such that aerosol can be generated for consumption or inhalation by the user, for example in a usage session. The aerosol generating device 1 and/or the companion device 3 may each comprise one or more output elements, such as a display device 18 and/or one or more LEDs, for outputting a signal and/or displaying information to a user, for example a user interface such as a GUI, or haptic and acoustic data output devices. The display device 18 may be, for example, a touchscreen and may therefore be configured as both an output and an input element.

Figure 2 shows three different views of an aerosol-forming article 20, or consumable, which may be used with the aerosol-forming device 1. In the top left, an end view is shown. Bottom left shows a perspective view, and the right side of the figure shows a side view of the aerosol-forming article 20. In contrast to conventional consumables, which may be, for example, stick or rodshaped, aerosol-forming article 20 may have a flat or planar shape. It may, for example, have the basic shape of a rectangle, optionally with rounded corners. For instance, the aerosol-forming article 20 may be a cuboid or parallelepiped, optionally with rounded corners. It may have a length L which is greater than its width W, which is in turn greater than its thickness T. For example, the length L of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be from 20 mm to 40 mm, for example from 25 mm to 35 mm. In a non-limiting example, the length L of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be 30 mm. The width W of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be from 7 mm to 15 mm, for example from 9 mm to 13 mm. In a non-limiting example, the width W of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be 11 mm. The thickness T of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be from 1 mm to 10 mm, for example 2 mm to 5 mm, for example from 2.5 mm to 4 mm. In a non-limiting example, the thickness T of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be 3.1 mm.

The aerosol-forming article 20 may comprise a frame and an aerosol-forming substrate, which may be arranged in a centre section of the article 20 The centre section of the article 20 may also be referred to as central section or middle section of the article 20. The frame may comprise or be made of a cellulose fibre material, for example a cardboard material. The frame may define the circumference or perimeter of the aerosol-forming article 20 along the edges and/or corners. The two opposite side surfaces making up the majority of the surface of the aerosol-forming article 20 may comprise or be made of a cover sheet, which may comprise paperbased material, for example rolling paper, which may be fixed to the frame and, together with the frame, may define a substrate chamber, which may be filled with any type of aerosol-forming substrate or capsule mentioned herein, or a combination of one or more substrate and a capsule. As will be described in more detail herein, the aerosol-forming article 20 may also comprise an airflow path through the frame and the substrate in the substrate chamber.

The present disclosure provides an aerosol-forming device 1 which may be configured to use such an aerosol-forming article 20. The aerosol-forming device 1 may comprise a heating module 34 configured to removably accommodate such an aerosol-forming article 20 (predominantly planar form factor), maximizing the heating efficiency and increasing the consumable extraction, without quickly depleting the aerosol. To do so, a full contact between the heating element and the consumable may be ensured during the heating phase. As will be shown below, a flat heating element may provide the benefit of keeping a high ratio of surface heated vs substrate volume, which, in turn, guarantees a faster and more homogeneous substrate heating.

A possible heating concept for the aerosol-forming article 20 as described above is shown in Figure 3. The heating module 34 may comprise two heating elements 6, 7, for example flat heating elements 6, 7, arranged parallel and opposite to each other, for example in a sandwich configuration with the aerosol-forming article 20 between them. The aerosol-forming article 20 may be at least partially or fully inserted into a heating chamber 30 in a heater casing 35, which may also contain the heating elements 6, 7. The heater casing 35 may be arranged in an insulating casing 2 to prevent heat from the heating elements 6, 7 from dissipating and/or reaching the user’s fingers, and for concentrating the heat to the heating volume or chamber 30. The heating elements 6, 7 may be arranged parallel to the two main surfaces of the aerosol-forming article 20. They may be arranged parallel to an inner surface of the heating chamber 30 and/or heater casing 35. The heating chamber 30 may be a substantially cuboid receptacle or space configured to at least partially receive the aerosol-forming article 20. It may be defined by at least one side or two parallel, opposite sides configured as a planar cavity surface extending substantially in a plane. The first heating element 6 and/or the second heating element 7 may extend substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of the planar cavity surface.

A more detailed view of the heating chamber 30 and its arrangement in the aerosol-forming device 1 is shown in Figures 4 and 5. The heating chamber 30 may comprise a first and a second heating element 6 and 7, respectively top and bottom, arranged in a parallel configuration and opposed to each other. In the specific embodiment shown the two heating elements 6, 7 may be resistive or Joule-type heaters that transfer heat by heat conduction to a substrate 23 of a consumable 20 or aerosol-forming article 20. However other heating technologies or a combination of different heating technologies may be used. The heating chamber 30 may further comprise an insulation casing 2 or insulating casing 2 which may act as an outer first insulation element and may provide a airgap for the airflow, as more closely described below. The airgap may have a constant size or cross-section along its extension or may have sections differing in size or cross-section. The heating chamber 30 may further comprise a heater casing 35 which may be defined at least at one side by a planar cavity surface extending substantially in a plane and which may be configured to enclose the heating elements 6 and 7, wherein the heating elements 6, 7 may be further held in place by a clamp element 8. The heater casing 35 may have a rectangular cross section and may be configured such to receive at least a portion of an aerosolforming article 20 that is substantially planar (like the one shown in Figure 2) and to heat the aerosol-forming article 20 from the outside. In addition, an air space may be provided between the heating elements 6,7 and the inner walls of the heating chamber 30, respectively, that may be thermally insulated. The heating casing 35 and/or the heating chamber 30 may have walls with heat-reflecting properties. This may allow to reduce the thermal losses when resistively heating and concentrate the heat within the heating chamber 30, and may also provide for an integrated mechanism for a user being able to firmly hold the aerosol-forming device 1 at a given place without being subjected to unsafe or unpleasant temperatures. The heater casing 35 may also be designed with grooves, channels or any generic means along inner walls of the heating chamber to provide an air flow channel for the air flow through portions of the aerosol-forming device 1 , for example a channel that is formed at the longer side faces of the rectangular parallelepiped shape heating chamber 30.

As shown in Figure 5, a third heating element, configured as a convective heater assembly 70, may be arranged upstream the consumable 20 and upstream the first and second heating elements 6, 7, in order to pre-heat the air entering the consumable 20. Convective heater assembly 70 may comprise resistive heating element 71 or convective heater 71 which may be a resistive component which may transfer heat by convection to the surrounding air. The resistive heating element 71 may be arranged inside a convective heater casing 72 and may be held in place by a bottom cap 75. As also shown in the Figure, the heater casing 35 and/or the insulation casing 2 may be composed by two shells (upper shell and bottom shell) which may be designed to be engaged and/or combined during assembly. Heater casing 35 and/or insulation casing 2 may be made of a plastic material such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and/or polyaryletherketone (PAEK) and/or polyetherimide (PEI), preferably PEEK. Heater casing 35 can also have thermal insulation properties like insulating casing 2, for example having a high thermal resistivity or low thermal conductivity, preferably a thermal conductivity below 1 W / (m • K), more preferably below 0.5 W/ (m • K).

It is also possible that the entire heating module 34 comprising the heating chamber 30 may be removably placed inside the body of the aerosol-forming device 1 , for example with electric connection terminals that may be arranged to be in parallel with the main axis of extension or the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1 , and which can interconnect to corresponding terminals inside the body of device 1. The longitudinal axis of the device may be the same as and/or parallel to the insertion axis or the insertion direction of the aerosol-forming article 20 into the heating chamber 30. The connection may be formed only by the movement of the heating chamber 30 when being inserted into the device body 800.

The heating elements 6, 7 may be of any suitable configuration. In the following, examples of suitable configurations are given for heating element 6, but they may be equally applicable to heating element 7. As a first example, heating element 6 may comprise a ceramic plate 6c, which may be supported in a frame 6b, as shown in Figure 6. Ceramic plate 6c may be made of a ceramic substrate. It may be configured as a flat plate having two opposite side surfaces making up the majority of the surface of the plate. Heating tracks may be printed onto the surface and/or embedded within the ceramic substrate. Frame 6b may be configured to isolate the heater from the rest of the device, for example by forming air gaps. The ceramic plate 6c may be arranged inside the frame 6b and only be in contact with the frame 6b at fixation points arranged on the sides of ceramic plate 6c directed towards the frame 6b. For example, there may be a maximum of two, three, four, five, six, or eight fixation points used to fix the ceramic plate 6c in the frame 6b. At two of these, there may be arranged a wire contact point 6d each for electrically connecting the heating tracks to an energy source for heating, specifically resistive or Joule-type heating.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ceramic plate 6c may have a length L1 , measured with or without possible extensions at the fixation points, of from 5 mm to 20 mm, for example from 7.5 mm to 17.5 mm or from 10 mm to 15 mm or from 12 mm to 13 mm, for example of 12.4 mm. The ceramic plate 6c may have a width W1 , measured with or without possible extensions at the fixation points, of from 3 mm to 15 mm, for example from 5 mm to 12 mm or from 6 mm to 10 mm or from 7 mm to 9 mm, for example of 8.1 mm. The frame 6b may have a length L2 of from 10 mm to 25 mm, for example from 12 mm to 20 mm or from 14 mm to 18 mm or from 15 mm to 17 mm, for example of 16.1 mm. The frame 6b may have a width W2 of from 5 mm to 20 mm, for example from 7 mm to 15 mm or from 9 mm to 13 mm or from 10 mm to 12 mm, for example of 11.3 mm. These values are merely examples and other suitable values may be chosen.

Another possible embodiment of the heating elements 6, 7 is shown in Figure 7. The heating elements 6, 7 may be flat conductive heating elements at least partly or entirely made of a flat metal sheet. The flat metal sheet may extend in a plane substantially parallel to the planar cavity of the heater casing 35, which may be a rectangular parallelepiped heating chamber with one open end, thereby forming cross-sectional C-shape when viewed in the insertion direction. The heating elements 6, 7 may have a rectangular shape, with or without rounded corners, or may have any other suitable shape. The heating elements 6, 7 of this embodiment may be made, for example, from stainless steel. Any of the dimensions mentioned above for the ceramic plate 6c or the frame 6b may also be applicable to the heating elements 6, 7 as shown in Figure 7. Additionally or alternatively, the heating elements 6, 7 may be made as a layer of heat-generating resistive material, for example a material that is coated as a film or layer on a non-conductive substrate. For example, the heat-generating resistive material can be made of a binder, for example a polymeric binder, having conductive particles dispersed therein, to depart a specific and desired resistivity to one of the heating elements 6, 7 for power dissipation and heat generation.

Another possible embodiment of the heating elements 6, 7 is shown in Figures 8 and 9. The heating element 6, 7 may comprise resistive branches 101 or tracks or segments which generate heat when a voltage is applied at their two extremities. In other words, the heating element 6, 7 may comprise a first and a second connection pin 100 or electrical contact 622 for electrically connecting the heating element 6, 7 to an energy source. Between the first and second connection pins 100, the resistive branches 101 may be arranged, which may be configured to lead from and connect the first to the second connection pin 100. The resistive branches 101 may be arranged as serpentine or meandering branches or tracks, which may be arranged in parallel and/or next to each other. They may be connected by separate linking segments 102, which may be arranged at the ends of the resistive branches 101 and which may connect two subsequent resistive branches 101 with each other. In other words, linking segments 102 may constitute the turning points or connecting curves between the serpentine or meandering branches. A theoretical flow path for electrical current through the heating element 6, 7 is shown by the arrows in Figure 9. Linking segments 20 may also be configured to fix heating elements 6, 7 in the heating chamber 30, for example by fixing elements 621 or holes being arranged in the linking segments 20 which may be used to screw the heating elements 6, 7 to the heating chamber 30, for example heater casing 35. Linking segments 20 may also be bent so as to be hooked around protrusions provided in the heating chamber 30, for example heater casing 35, so as to fix the heating elements 6, 7 in and/or to the heating chamber 30.

Also in this embodiment, the heating elements 6, 7 and also the branches 101 may be flat. For example, heating elements 6, 7 with the branches 101 may be produced by cutting from a flat metal sheet, for example a stainless steel sheet. Alternatively, the heating elements 6, 7 may be produced by printing and/or coating techniques to form the branches. Heating elements 6, 7 may have a uniform thickness, but it is also possible that the thickness is different for different elements of the heating elements, to change the resistivity and/or resistance for increased or reduced heating losses. For example, a thickness of branches 101 can be chosen to the thinner than the thickness of linking segments 102, so that for a given track with, the effective resistance and/or resistivity is higher for the branches. This allows cause more heating losses with the branches 101 as compared to the linking segments 102 per surface area of material However, the width may vary in different parts of the heating elements 6, 7. For example, the width of the connection pins 100 may be greater than the width of the resistive branches 101. Also the width of the linking segments 102 may be greater than the width of the resistive branches 101. The width of the linking segments 102 may be equal to or different from the width of the connection pins 100. The resistive branches 101 may have the smallest width of all the segments or parts of the heating elements 6, 7.

As the resistance may be higher in the portions of the heating elements 6, 7 having a smaller width and/or smaller thickness, more heat may be generated in these sections. In this way, zones with different heating temperatures and/or powers may be selectively formed. Therefore, the heating elements 6, 7 may be configured in a way that the resistive branches 101 are arranged in close proximity and/or in contact to the region of the aerosol-forming article 20 housing the substrate. Simultaneously, the other sections of the heating elements 6, 7 may be arranged at a distance from the substrate. The most heat is then directly applied to the substrate itself, while neighbouring areas, for example in which only a frame for the substrate is arranged, are heated less (for example by the sections of the heating elements 6, 7 having a greater width) or not heated at all. This may prevent undesired effects on the taste of the aerosol which may otherwise be introduced from the heated frame of the substrate in the aerosol-forming article 20. The benefit of this design may be that the heating branches may be entirely in contact with the tobacco I substrate region of the consumable to avoid efficiency loss and, at the same time, the thinner region may ensure a higher resistance for a more efficient heating. The pattern of the heating branches may be customized to guarantee a tailored heating distribution in any desired area of the aerosol-forming article 20. For example, an area that is adjacent to and/or associated with the aerosol-forming substrate 23 may be heated, optionally whereas remaining parts of the article may not be heated or at least less heated.

In Figure 8, two embodiments of heating elements 6, 7 are shown, having respectively eight and six resistive branches 101 , however this number may vary based on the to be heated surface area. For example, each heating element 6, 7 may comprise between two and twenty branches, for example between four and twelve branches. The thickness of the heating elements 6, 7, for example the thickness of the metal sheet from which the heating elements 6, 7 may be cut, may be between 0.05 mm and 0.5 mm, for example between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, preferably for example 0.15 mm. To create thinner sections for increase resistivity and/or resistance, the metal sheet can be stamped or rolled. The length of the resistive branches 101 , for example measured between the linking segments 102, may be between 5 mm and 25 mm, for example between 7 mm and 20 mm or between 9 mm and 15 mm or between 10 mm and 14 mm or between 11 mm and 13 mm, for example 12 mm or 12.06 mm. The length of the linking segments 102 may be between 2 mm and 10 mm, for example between 3 mm and 9 mm or between 4 mm and 8 mm or between 5 mm and 7 mm, for example 6 mm or 5.97 mm.

The width of the resistive branches 101 may be between 0.3 mm and 1 .5 mm, for example between 0.5 mm and 1.3 mm or between 0.7 mm and 1.1 mm or between 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm, for example 0.9 mm. The cross-section of the resistive branches 101 may be between 0.8 mm² and 1.9 mm², for example between 1.0 mm² and 1.7 mm² or between 1.2 mm² and 1.5 mm² or between 1.3 mm² and 1.4 mm², for example 1.35 mm². The width of the linking segments 102 may be between 0.8 mm and 3.0 mm, for example between 1.2 mm and 2.7 mm or between 1.6 mm and 2.4 mm or between 1.8 mm and 2.2 mm, for example 2.0 mm or 2.1 mm. A surface area of the plurality of heater branches 101 that is configured to come into contact with a main surface of the aerosol-forming article 20 is in a range between 20 mm² and 100 mm², more preferably in a range between 30 mm² and 75 mm², even more preferably between 35 mm² and 70 mm². The total resistance of one of the heating elements 6, 7 may depend on the material used, for example stainless steel, the length of all the sections together and the respective cross- sectional area. For example, the total resistance of one of the heating elements 6, 7 may be between 0.3 Ohm and 1.6 Ohm, for example between 0.6 Ohm and 1.5 Ohm or between 1 .0 Ohm and 1.4 Ohm or between 1.1 Ohm and 1 .3 Ohm, for example 0.5 Ohm or 1.2 Ohm or 1.24 Ohm.

The two heating elements 6, 7 may be flat conductive heaters. This is applicable to any of the embodiments mentioned herein (ceramic plate, metal plate, metal plate with branches or tracks, polyimide based substrate with tracks, polymeric material with conductive particles, etc.). Generally, the two conductive heating elements 6, 7 may also have a retention function for the consumable, for example, to provide for a press-fit or interference-fit (tight consumable). They may be arranged in a sandwich configuration with the aerosol-forming article 20. The heating elements 6, 7 may be arranged and configured that they are spring loaded in the direction of each other and/or of the aerosol-forming article 20. The spring load may be obtained from the flexibility or elasticity of the material of the heating elements 6, 7 themselves, for example a flexible metal material in a leaf spring configuration. In general, only one or both of the heating elements 6, 7 may have this retention function and the respective shape or configuration. This may, for example, be achieved by bending the heating elements 6, 7 into a shape which may be partially pushed aside by the aerosol-forming article 20 when it is entered into the heating chamber 30. As a consequence, the gap between the two heating elements 6, 7 may be configured to provide a good retention of the aerosol-forming article 20 once inserted and to provide a good contact with the aerosol-forming article 20 for a better aerosol extraction. The heating elements 6, 7 may be predominantly flat, however they may also be bent or rounded to have a curved or arcuate shape, for example in the sections of the resistive branches 101 in order to increase the contact pressure on the consumable.

The flat heating elements 6, 7 according to aspects of the present disclosure may improve, i.e. shorten, pre-heating times because of their low thermal inertia. As described in more detail below, at least one side of the heating elements 6, 7 may be in loose contact with the heater casing 35. This may mean that the heating element 6, 7 is only fixed, for example screwed or bolted, to the heater casing 35 at one of its longitudinal ends, whereas the other end may form- fittingly engage a part of the heater casing 35 without being firmly affixed thereto. In other words, the heating elements 6, 7 may be configured as floating heaters, which may reduce heat losses to the heater casing 35, thereby improving energy efficiency and thermal insulation from the user’s hands. Also, floating heaters may be more resistant to mechanical stress, which may occur during heating, the loose contact to the heater casing 35 being able to accommodate small changes in length, width or shape of the heating element 6, 7, for example due to thermal expansion. In the embodiments described above, there may be two opposite heating elements 6, 7 for heating and retaining the aerosol-forming article 20. However, the retention effect may also be reached in an alternative embodiment where there may be only one conductive or Joule-type heating element 6 and a supporting element 6a which does not have a heating function, but may be exclusively configured to support the aerosol-forming article 20 (also referred to herein as consumable 20) in position in the heating chamber 30 as shown in Figure 10. In this case, the substrate 23 of the aerosol-forming article 20 and/or article 20 may be heated only from one side. The supporting element may be predominantly flat or bent or rounded, similarly to the heating elements 6, 7 as described herein. It may also be provided that one of the heating element 6 and the supporting element 6a is predominantly flat and the other one is bent or rounded. The retention may then be realized by spring loading only one of these elements 6, 6a in the direction of the aerosol-forming article 20. The supporting element 6a may be coated to provide for a low friction coefficient to allow the aerosol-forming article 20 to slide easily along the insertion direction.

In another variant, it is possible that the upper heating element 6 and the lower heating element 7 can be separately powered. This allows to perform heating where at a given point in time, only one of the heating elements 6, 7 is heating, and also allowing to heat both heating elements 6, 7 at the same time or simultaneously at another or different given point time. Optionally, the heating elements 6, 7 may be heated to different temperatures. For example, this configuration can be used to perform a heat-up phase at a high heating energy from both sides, to quickly bring the substrate 23 to an operating temperature. Thereafter, the upper or lower heating element 6, 7 can be selectively powered, to heat the substrate 23 at given points in time from above and below, or during a puff. For example, it is possible to first aerosolize part of the substrate 23 from one side, and then from the other side, and at the end from both sides to aerosolize an inner volume of the substrate 23.

As shown in Figure 11 , the aerosol-forming device 1 may comprise a reader module 300 which may be configured to read information or indicia 301 from the aerosol-forming article 20. The reader module 300 may be or may comprise an optical reader or sensor, or may be or may comprise an RFID reader or sensor. The reader module 300 may be arranged in or outside of the heating chamber 30, for example with the heating chamber 30 having a window for emitting and receiving optical radiation for the reading process. The reader module 300 may be arranged in the mouthpiece portion 900 and may be directed to a part of the article 20 protruding from the heating chamber 30 when the device 1 is in the closed or use position. The information or indicia or indicium 301 provided on the aerosol-forming article 20 may pertain to authentication and/or classification of the aerosol-forming article 20 and/or the substrate 23 therein. Upon reading the authentication and/or classification information by the reader module 300, the information may be used to control the aerosol-forming device 1. While the substrate 23 is shown in Figure 24 as being arranged in the middle of the article 20 in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the substrate 23 may alternatively be arranged asymmetrically, for example displaced or offset along the longitudinal axis in the direction of one of the small ends of the article 20. The small ends may be the ends comprising the air inlet 24 and the air outlet 25. In this case, the information 301 provided on the aerosol-forming article 20 may be arranged on the substrate-free end of the aerosolforming article 20, for example on top of one of the larger side surfaces. In a variant, the information or indicia 301 can be embedded or located inside a cover sheet of the aerosol-forming article, for example as an RFID tag that can be read by an antenna.

The top depiction of Figure 12 shows a top view of the section of the device 1 comprising the heating chamber 30. With reference to Figure 12, the main heating chamber 30 may be associated with a convective heater assembly 70 to boost the extraction of the aerosol compounds from the aerosol-forming article 20. The bottom depiction of the Figure shows a lateral or side view of the convective heating assembly 70. The convective heating assembly 70 may contribute to the definition of the airflow path and may be arranged upstream the heating chamber 30 to guarantee a continuous route for the airflow through the aerosol-forming device 1. The air may therefore enter the convective heating assembly 70, be preheated, and then enter the heating chamber 30 with the aerosol-forming article 20. Preferably, the convective heater assembly 70 is arranged such that an airflow path from the resistive heating element 71 to the upstream inlet 24 of article 24 is as short as possible, to avoid a drop of temperature to the air after passing the resistive heating element 71. In a variant, it is also possible that the resistive heating element 71 protrudes into the upstream inlet 24 of the article 20, when the article is in an inserted position. The convective heating assembly 70 may include a resistive heating element

71 and a convective heater casing 72, wherein the convective heater casing 72 may have a convective heating chamber 73 configured to receive the resistive heating element 71 , without getting in direct contact with inner walls of the convective heating chamber 73. This configuration may define two gaps 74 above and below the heating element 71 (more visible in the lateral view of Figure 12) which allows a convective heat exchange between the resistive heating element 71 and the surrounding air passing through the gaps 74. In other words, the gaps 74 may form a part of the airflow channel through the aerosol-forming device 1 leading through the convective heating assembly 70. Finally, a bottom cap 75 ensures that the convective heater assembly 70 and the heating chamber 30 are held together. Preferably, the convective heater casing 72 is made of a material that has low thermal conductivity, so that a heating of the inner walls of the heater casing

72 is reduced, with the goal to provide the heating energy preferentially or predominantly to the incoming air. For example, preferably, the heater casing 72 is not made of metal, but of a thermoplastic with high temperature resistivity and low thermal conductivity, preferably PEEK or PEI.

The dimensions of the cavity or heating volume provided by the heating chamber 30 may reflect the dimensions of the aerosol-forming article 20 in order to ensure that the article 20 can be inserted to the heating chamber 30 and arranged between heating elements 6,7, although a part of the aerosol-forming article 20 may protrude out of the heating chamber 30. The fit of the aerosol-forming article 20 in the heating chamber 30 is shown in Figure 13. Preferably, the fit should be a light press-fit or a light interference fit with the aerosol-forming article 20 between heating elements 6, 7. For example, the heating chamber 30 may have a length L3 of from 10 mm to 35 mm, for example of from 15 mm to 30 mm or from 15 mm to 25 mm. This may also be referred to as the insertion depth of the heating chamber 30. The heating chamber 30 may have a width W3 of between 7.2 mm and 15.2 mm, preferably between 9.2 mm and 13.2 mm, more preferably about 11.2 mm. The heating chamber 30 may have a thickness T3 of between 2 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 3 mm and 8 mm, even more preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm. These values may pertain to the inside clearances of the heating chamber 30 in the respective directions. Again, these values are purely exemplary, and any other suitable dimensions may be chosen.

A benefit of a flat heating element 6, 7 as described may be the provision of a faster and more homogeneous substrate heating. This may be achieved by the high ratio of surface heated to substrate volume. To further improve aerosol extraction from the aerosol-forming article 20, the contact pressure between the aerosol-forming article 20 and the heating element 6, 7 may be increased. The relationship between a force F, for example provided by the spring loading of the heating element 6, 7, a contact surface A between the heating element 6, 7 and the aerosolforming article 20, and the resulting contact pressure p is shown in Figure 14. Furthermore, considering an aerosol-forming article 20 like the one shown in Figure 2, where both the larger surfaces are exposed to a heating element 6, 7, aerosol extraction may also be increased by applying pressure to both heated surfaces of the aerosol-forming article 20.

According to at least some aspects of the present invention, heating elements 6, 7 can be provided, that allow to firmly contact a to-be-heated surface of the aerosol-forming article 20 for example at a location where the substrate 23 is located inside the article 20. The heating elements 6, 7 can be resistive or Joule-type heater elements, but other types of heating are also possible, for example inductive heating with elements 6, 7 acting as susceptors, or dielectric heating where heating elements 6, 7 act as capacitor plates. In addition, an air space may be provided around the heating elements 6, 7 to thermally insulate the heating chamber 30 and the heater casing 35. Heating chamber 30 and heater casing 35 may be provided with walls with heat-reflecting properties, which may better enclose the system to reduce the thermal losses and to concentrate the heat within the heating chamber 30. Some example embodiments on how to achieve these effects are described below.

A possible embodiment of the heating elements 6, 7 is shown in Figures 15 and 16. The heating element 6 (similarly applicable to heating element 7, especially considering the parallel configuration) may comprise a central portion, central section or heating section 61 which may include heating tracks or resistive branches 101 as shown in Figure 8, for example 6 parallel heating tracks or resistive branches 101 , connected by linking segments 102. The heating section 61 of the metal sheet may be shaped or bent in a convex sense so that when the aerosol-forming article 20 is inserted, the heating element 6, 7 is able to provide a compression force towards the aerosol-forming article 20 (see Figure 15). Alternatively, the heating section 61 of the heating elements 6, 7 and therefore the resistive branches 101 may be planar or flat (see Figure 16). In other words, the resistive branches 101 may all lie and/or extend in a common plane. This may be beneficial because the flat resistive branches 101 may then contact the aerosol-forming article 20 very uniformly in the area or volume that accommodates the substrate 23, ensuring uniform and highly efficient heat transfer to the substrate. However, the linking segments 102 and/or the portion with the fixing means 621 and/or the electrical contacts 622 of the heating elements 6, 7 may be shaped or bent so that when the aerosol-forming article 20 is inserted, the heating element 6, 7 is able to provide a compression force towards the aerosol-forming article 20. In other words, the portions of the heating elements 6, 7 other than the resistive branches 101 may be configured with a spring-loading shape or function, for example like a leaf spring. This may be achieved by the elastic properties of the metallic material or sheet of the heating element 6, 7 and by the deformation/flexibility of the aerosol-forming article 20. In these configurations, the spring loading function may be integrated into the heating element 6, 7 itself. The heating element 6, 7 may be configured or shaped so that the compressive force exerted to the contacted surface of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be in a range between 1 N to 30 N, preferably between 4 N and 25 N, more preferably between 6 N and 20 N, even more preferably about 9.4 N per heating element 6, 7. As already mentioned, the aerosol-forming article 20 may be arranged and/or sandwiched between two similarly shaped and oppositely arranged heating elements 6, 7, thereby increasing both the retention of the aerosol-forming article 20 as well as the heating. Preferably, the retention force provided by the heating elements 6, 7 to the article 20 is such that the article 20 can still be manually pulled out by a user from the inserted position, for example using his thumb and index finger.

Still referring to Figure 15, the heating element 6, 7 may further comprise a first end 62 which may include a flat portion having fixing means 621 for securing the heating element 6, 7 to the heating case 35, for example two or more openings. The heating element 6, 7 may also comprise a second end 63 which may include a first flat portion 631 , a first portion 632 bent down by 90° with respect to the heating section 61 , a second portion 633 inwardly bent by 90° with respect to the heating section 61 and finally a second flat portion 634. First portion 632 and second portion 633 may be connected by a flat section as well. The sequence of these four portions may form an anchoring section which may engage the heating case 35. Specifically, a portion of the heating case 35 may be arranged between the first flat portion 631 and the second flat portion 634 of the heating element 6, 7, thereby anchoring the heating element 6, 7 in the heating chamber 30. In this way, more stability is provided to the heating chamber 30 once the consumable or aerosol-forming article 20 is inserted.

This is also shown in Figures 5 and 17, where the bent heating element 6, 7 is shown integrated in the heating module 34 or heating chamber 30 of the aerosol-forming device 1. The resistive branches 101 may be configured to focus the heat on the heating section 61 of the heating element 6, 7, where, in the mounted or use position, a large surface of the substrate 23 of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be located, for example to substantially match the heating section 61. In Figure 17, the resistive branches 101 are shown below the outer contour of the aerosol-forming article 20 to illustrate that they press against and slightly compress the aerosolforming article 20 in the region of the substrate 23. This is also shown in the side view Figure 18. In this Figure, the heating element 6 on the top may comprise bent or rounded resistive branches 101 as shown in Figure 15 whereas the heating element 7 on the bottom may comprise flat or planar resistive branches 101 as shown in Figure 16. Such a combination of different heating elements 6, 7 is possible, however, both heating elements 6, 7 could also be similar to each other, for example mirror symmetric. The first end 62 and the second end 63 may include means to dissipate heat to keep it from regions of the aerosol-forming device 1 where heat is unwanted. Additionally, there may be a heater gap 36 between the heating elements 6, 7 and the inner surface of the heating chamber 30 or the heater casing 35. The heater gap 36 may be an air volume distancing the heating elements 6, 7 from inner walls of the heater casing 35 and therefore providing additional thermal insulation and space for allowing the heating elements 6, 7 to move, for example by the herein explained flexing. The two electrical contacts 622 may protrude on the same side, for example on the first end 62, to allow the connection to the device’s electronics, for example via corresponding connection terminals. They may protrude parallel to a longitudinal direction of the heating element 6, 7. The electrical contacts 622 may be arranged on opposite sides of the first end 62 in a width direction of the heating element 6, 7. At the first end 62, the heating element 6, 7 may be fixed to the heater casing 35 using the fixing means 621 to establish a heater fixation 52, for example by screwing, riveting, bonding, or bolting the heater to the heater casing 35.

As may be seen in Figures 17 and 18, the aerosol-forming article 20 may be compressed by the forces from the heating elements 6, 7, for example through the spring loading. In an example embodiment, each heating element 6, 7 may exert a force of about 9.4 N on the aerosolforming article 20. This may lead to a compression or displacement of the heater elements 6, 7 by the aerosol-forming article 20 by from 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm, for example by from 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm or from 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm, for example by 0.5 mm. This is shown in the compression area marked 50. The compression in turn may lead to both improved retention and improved heating of the aerosol-forming article 20, especially in the compressed region 50 where the substrate 23 may be located. This may also lead to a comparatively fast heating of the aerosol-forming article 20, which is especially important for the shorten the heat-up time for delivery of the first puff of a usage session. The firm contact of heating element 6,7 with the article 20 allows also to reduce thermal resistance between the heated surface of the compression zone 50 with the substrate 23 of article 20, so that it is possible to operate the heater at lower temperatures as compared to solutions where a high heating resistivity is present between substrate 23 and a heating element. Fast heating may lead to the first puff ideally being similar to all following puffs despite the aerosolforming article 20 needing to be heated up from ambient temperature. In general, fast heating may also lead to better deliveries of aerosol to the user. Another advantage of the force exerted on the aerosol-forming article 20 by the heating elements 6, 7 lies in the fact that the heating elements 6, 7 may follow the substrate when the heating leads to a shrinkage of the substrate, or when the substrate 23 or article 40 has a variable thickness due to manufacturing tolerances and due to humidity content. In this way, contact between the heating element 6, 7 and the aerosolforming article 20 is maintained despite substrate shrinkage, continuously maintaining the desired heating profile and aerosol quality as well as delivery. As already mentioned, the compression may be one-sided or the aerosol-forming article 20 may be compressed from two opposite sides.

Optionally, the convective heater assembly 70 may be operated or heated during a puff or only during a puff. Further optionally, the heating elements 6, 7 may be operated or heated during an entire usage session.

There may be a gap 51 or clearance between the anchoring section at the second end 63 of the heating element 6, 7 and the insulation casing 2 (see Figures 17, 18). The gap 51 may adsorb potential displacement and/or deformation of the heating elements 6, 7, for example in the longitudinal direction and/or transverse thereto, towards the ends of the insulation casing 2, during the flexing of the heating section 61 upon consumable insertion. In other words, to accommodate a change in shape and/or dimensions of the heating elements 6, 7 during heating, the heating elements 6, 7 may be arranged with a distance to the insulation casing 2. A free space may be arranged between the heating elements 6, 7 and the insulation casing 2, particularly between the second end 63 of the heating elements 6, 7 and the insulation casing 2. The gap 51 or clearance or free space or distance may be at least 0.1 mm or at least 0.3 mm or at least 0.5 mm or at least 0.7 mm or at least 1 mm. The aerosol-forming article 20 or consumable may have a frame 21 which may comprise or be made of cardboard or a cardboard-like material, or another material that is at least partly compressible. The heating element 6, 7 may be arranged with at least 0.1 mm or at least 0.3 mm or at least 0.5 mm or at least 0.7 mm or at least 1 mm clearance 53 or side clearance 53 (see Figure 17, bottom view) from the frame to avoid potential influences on the taste of the aerosol caused by heating the frame of the aerosol-forming article 20. This clearance 53 from the frame may be measured in the width direction of the aerosol-forming article 20, i.e. orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming article 20 and/or the direction of air flow through the aerosol-forming article 20, and parallel to the two opposing sides of the aerosol-forming article 20 making up the majority of the surface area of the article. In other words, the heating elements 6, 7 may be arranged in the middle of the aerosol-forming article 20, for example in the width direction of the aerosol-forming article 20, and may be smaller than the width of the aerosolforming article 20. This may lead to the heating elements 6, 7, particularly the resistive branches 101 , being distanced from or not reaching the frame of the aerosol-forming article 20. The aerosolforming article 20 may therefore be wider than the heating elements 6, 7, particularly the resistive branches 101 of the heating elements 6, 7.

As mentioned, the heating elements 6, 7 with their bent configuration may exert a compression force on the aerosol-forming article 20. This may lead to a retention force which may keep the aerosol-forming article 20 or consumable retained within the receiving cavity formed by the heating case 35. However, the heating module 34 with the two bent heating elements 6, 7, may be configured to provide a clearance or gap 54 (see front view of Figure 19) at the insertion part or insertion front wall of the heating chamber 30, i.e. between the heater casing 35 and the inserted article 20, of at least 0.05 mm or at least 0.1 mm or at least 0.2 mm or at least 0.3 mm between the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20 and the heating element 6, 7 to minimize the influence of the material of the frame, for example cardboard, on the taste of the aerosol. Another such gap 54 may be provided at the bottom end of the heating chamber 30, for example in the region of the heater fixation 52. Therefore, the heating elements 6, 7 may be configured to exert the compression force on the aerosol-forming article 20 only in the heating section 61 , i.e. only with the resistive branches 101. Only the heating section 61 , i.e. only the resistive branches 101 , may be in direct contact with the aerosol-forming article 20, while the remaining elements 62, 63 do not contact the aerosol-forming article 20. The first end 62 and the second end 63 of the heating elements 6, 7 may be distanced from the aerosol-forming article 20 by the gap 54.

A possible way of assembling the heater casing 35 is shown in Figure 20. The heater casing 35 may comprise two halves 350 which may be similar to each other. First, the two halves 350 may be placed in position. Then, the heating elements 6, 7, for example as pre-bent heating elements 6, 7, may be placed in the halves 350, one heating element 6, 7 per half 350. Then, a heater clamp element 8 may be positioned in each half 350 to hold the heating elements 6, 7 in place. Finally, the two halves 350, along with the heating elements 6, 7 and the heater clamp elements 8, may be assembled to each other in a mirrored arrangement, thereby forming the heating chamber 30 between the two halves 350.

Another embodiment of the heating elements 6, 7 is shown in Figure 21. The heating elements 6, 7 of this embodiment may be flat and not bent, curved or arcuate. In particular, also the heating section 61 with resistive branches 101 may be flat. The heating elements 6, 7 may be equipped with additional spring or flexing elements 66 arranged on the surface of the heating element 6, 7 that is not in contact or faces away from the consumable, i.e. at the first end 62 and the second end 63. First end 62 and second end 63 may be provided with supports 65 for anchoring the spring elements 66 to the heating elements 6, 7. In this configuration the spring function may be obtained by additional elements associated to the heating elements 6, 7, i.e. the separate spring elements 66, which may, for example, comprise a memory shape metal or alloy or an elastomeric material and/or may be configured as laminated springs, leaf springs or coil springs. Any other suitable type of elastic element may be used, however.

Upon the insertion of the aerosol-forming article 20 into the heating chamber 30, the spring elements 66 may exert a compression force against the consumable 20. This may be due to the consumable thickness T being slightly bigger than the clearance 31 provided between the heating elements 6, 7, as shown in Figure 22. The clearance 31 may be in a range between 1 mm to 6 mm, more preferably in a range between 2 mm and 3.5 mm. The clearance between the heating elements 6, 7 may define a heating volume 32 inside the heating chamber, which is the volume in which the to-be-heated substrate 23 of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be arranged when the article 20 is inserted into the heating chamber 30. The heating elements 6, 7 and/or another element forming at least a part of the insertion opening of the heating chamber 30 may be provided with beveled edges 67, which may be rounded, slanted, and/or tapered towards the heating chamber 30, for example with a specific radius of curvature that may allow a insertion of the aerosol-forming article 20 with less resistance. It is again noted that the features pertaining to the clearance 31 of the heating chamber and/or the receiving edges 67 may also be applicable to other embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure, not only the one with separate spring elements 66 as shown in Figure 22. For example, the heating elements 6, 7 may be displaced elastically when the article 20 is entered either by the spring elements 66 or by their own spring loading, for example based on inherent elasticity and shape of the heating elements 6, 7. The heating elements 6, 7 may, for example, be displaced by between 0.1 mm to 105 mm, for example by between 0.1 mm to 1 mm or by between 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, when the aerosol-forming article 20 is entered into the heating volume 32. Another embodiment of the heating elements 6, 7 is shown in Figure 23. The heating elements 6, 7 may be provided with actuating mechanism 68, which may comprise a motor, a hydraulic cylinder, or an electric actuator such as an electromagnet, solenoid, piezo-electric actuator. It is also possible that the actuating mechanism 68 is passive and is actuated with the heat that can build up in the heating chamber 30, embodied as a thermal actuator. The actuating mechanism 68 may receive an external input and convert them into motion by using stored energy. The external input may be actuated by the insertion of the aerosol-forming article 20 into the heating chamber 30, for example. To achieve this, the heating chamber 30 may comprise a switch which may be activated by the insertion of the aerosol-forming article 20, which may in turn activate the actuating mechanism 68. The actuating mechanism 68 may be configured to force or bias the heating elements 6, 7 against and/or in the direction of the aerosol-forming article 20, thereby exerting a force on the aerosol-forming article 20 similar to the spring or elastic forces discussed in the other embodiments. The actuating mechanism 68 may be based on linear and/or rotary motion and may comprise a solenoid, a diaphragm, a piezoelectric device or element, a magnet, or any other suitable device to exert the force pressing the heating elements 6, 7 onto the aerosol-forming article 20. Figure 23 shows this embodiment before (top) and after activation of the actuating mechanism 68 (bottom).

Next, an overview of the airflow path through the aerosol-forming device 1 will be given. Upon taking a puff, a user draws in air via the mouthpiece 900, such that air is pulled into the device air inlet 46 through the article 20 to arrive at the downstream air flow path 45 to arrive for inhalation by the user’ mouth. The airflow path may comprise the following main portions: The air intake may occur between the device body and the mouthpiece, or at a section of the sidewall of the device body 800 close to the mouthpiece. The air may then proceed longitudinally towards the bottom or distal part of the device body 800, where the convective heater assembly 70 is located. At the convective heating assembly 70, the air may be forced to pass through the two narrow gaps 74 around the resistive heating element 71 for the pre-heating phase. The preheated air may then enter the aerosol-forming article 20 from the bottom, on the side opposite the mouthpiece 900, and reach the substrate 23, where the inhalable substances are volatilized and thereafter the aerosol is generated, optionally at least partly or predominantly in a nucleation chamber . The aerosol may then proceed towards the mouthpiece portion 900 and be inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece. The airflow path may be configured so that the air flows unidirectionally (disregarding turbulences) from the convective heater assembly 70 through the substrate 23 of aerosol-forming article 20 in the heating chamber 30 and then to and through the mouthpiece. In other words, the airflow path through the convective heater assembly 70, the aerosol-forming article 20 in the heating chamber 30 and the mouthpiece may be arranged in a straight line, i.e. without curves or bends at which the airflow direction is altered. While some of the Figures, for example Figures 25, 27 and 28, show a mouthpiece with a hinged or rotatable arrangement on the device body, the features of the airflow path are applicable to any embodiment or variant of the present disclosure, independently of the fixation means of the mouthpiece and the way the consumable is inserted into the heating chamber 30. As part of the airflow path leads through the aerosol-forming article 20 or consumable as well as the briefly mentioned convective heater assembly 70, the internal configuration of the aerosol-forming article 20 and the convective heater assembly 70 will be explained in more detail. The airflow path will be described with reference to airflow path portions. These portions may be arbitrary definitions to be able to more clearly define and describe the respective portions and their function and arrangement. However, the airflow path portion may be differently called or numbered than the definitions used in this part of the disclosure.

A detailed view of the aerosol-forming article 20 is given in Figure 24. The aerosol-forming article 20 may be predominantly flat. It may be shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped or cuboid. It may comprise a consumable frame 21 having a cavity 22 designed to accommodate an aerosolforming substrate 23. On the sides of the cavity 22 where no frame 21 is located, the cavity 22 may be closed off from the outside environment by a sheet of cellulose fiber material, for example paper or rolling paper, or paper-like material. Such a sheet may be provided on both sides of the aerosol-forming article 20. The frame 21 may further comprise a consumable air inlet 24 and a consumable air outlet 25, which may be arranged substantially in-axis with a direction of longitudinal extension of the aerosol-forming article 20. The air inlet 24 and the air outlet 25 may be arranged at the smallest opposing faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article 2. The air inlet 24 and the air outlet 25 may be fluidically connected to a consumable air inlet channel 26 and a consumable air outlet channel 27, respectively. These channels 26, 27 may be configured to be in fluid communication with the consumable cavity 22.

The air inlet 24, the air inlet channel 26, the air outlet channel 27 and the air outlet 25 each may have a cross-section shaped to correspond in surface area and ratio with the cross-section of the aerosol-forming article 20 and also the substrate 23. For example, the cross-section of the air inlet 24, the air inlet channel 26, the air outlet channel 27 and the air outlet 25 is smaller than the cross-section of the aerosol-forming article 20, but the shape of the cross sections may be similar to each other. In other words, the air inlet 24, the air inlet channel 26, the air outlet channel 27 and the air outlet 25 may have a rectangular cross-section, optionally with rounded corners. Therefore, the cross-section may be in the shape of an oblong or ovally-shaped or oval-shaped hole. In this way, the air flowing thorough the airflow path provided by this cross-section may enter and stream through the similarly arranged substrate 23 in an optimal way. The cross-section as used herein may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming article 20 and/or the direction of the airflow path through the aerosol-forming article 20. According to an aspect of the invention, one or more temperature sensors TS, TC, Tl, TM, Til (see Figures 24a to 24f) can be provided that are configured to measure a temperature of at least one first and/or second heater elements 6, 7 that are arranged in the heating chamber 30. At least one of the temperature sensors TS, TC, Tl, TM can be configured to measure a temperature value, or at least provide for data that is indicative of the actual temperature of at least one of the first and/or second heater elements 6, 7. This signal or data can be provided to a controller 5 or data processor 17 of the aerosol-generating device 1, and can be used to perform a closed-loop temperature control of the temperature of the heater assembly formed by the first and second heater elements 6, 7.

For example, as shown in Figure 24a, a contact-based temperature sensor TS can be arranged to contact a surface of the first and second heater elements 6, 7, for example in case were at least one of those elements is a resistive heating element or an inductively heated susceptor, to measure an actual temperature of heating elements 6, 7. The contact-based temperature sensor TS is preferably small in size, having a small thermal capacity or thermal mass, and able to follow rapid temperature changes and thereby able to detect rapid changes of temperature. The contact-based temperature sensor TS could be implemented as a thermocouple that is attached to or otherwise bonded to a surface of at least one of first and second heating element 6, 7, preferably to a surface that faces away from the heating volume formed inside the heater casing 35, to avoid obstruction of the insertion of the aerosol-forming article 20. In a variant, the sensor TS can be based on other temperature sensing technologies, for example resistance temperature detectors (RTD), thermistors, semiconductor-based sensors, fiber-optic temperature sensors. In addition, for example, two temperature sensors TS1 and TS2 can be provided, contacting first and second elements 6, 7, having a wire allowing for a distance change of the gap between flexible heater 6, 7, and terminals TER1 , TER2 for interconnection with a power source and controller 5. In a variant, the wiring for the sensors TS1, TS2 can be made by a flexible cable arranged on the surface of heater element 6, 7 to lead outside of heater casing 35, or made of a separate track of the stamped heater elements 6, 7.

As another example, the temperature sensor can be made by a non-contact temperature sensor TC as shown in Figure 24b, for example an optical signal based temperature sensor. This can include but is not limited to an infrared sensor, where an infrared detector can read radiation of the infrared emitted from the surface of heating elements 6, 7 and therefore heat radiation of the surface of heating elements 6, 7 and provide data or a value indicative of the temperature. This can also include a time-of-flight optical sensor where the time of flight can be altered by variations of the surface temperature of the at least one heater elements 6, 7. Other non-contact temperature sensors are also possible. For example, the non-contact temperature sensor can be embedded into the wall of the heater casing 35, allowing to capture IR light, reflected light, or other radiation from the surface of the at least one heater elements 6, 7. The non-contact temperature sensor TC arrangement presents the advantage of not in any way thermally interfering with the heater assembly formed by heater elements 6, 7, so not being in thermal contact therewith. Also, non-contact temperature sensors TC can have short settling times thereby able to provide for fast measurements of the actual temperature of the heater elements 6, 7. The sensor can be at least partially embedded into the walls that form the heater casing 35. Again, separate temperature sensors TC1 , TC2 may be used for the two heating elements 6, 7.

As yet another example, the temperature sensor Tl can be made as an integral part of the heating elements 6, 7. This is shown in Figure 24c. For example, in case a resistive heater element is used, the electrically conductive material of the resistive heating element can be made to have a resistivity that changes with the temperature to form a resistance temperature detector (RTD) in combination with the heating, for example a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) or a negative temperature coefficient (NTC). This allows to simultaneously power the at least one heating element 6, 7 with a voltage, and for example by measuring the current, deduct the current temperature of the heating element, and thereby calculate the resistivity of the at least one heating element to deduct or obtain a value indicative of the actual temperature. Again, separate temperature sensors TI1 , TI2 may be used for the two heating elements 6, 7.

As still another example, shown in Figure 24d, the resistive heating element 6, 7 can include a functional layer FL to allow for temperature sensing. For example, it would be possible to add one or more thin layers to the resistive-heater type heater elements 6, 7, having a specific Curie temperature, for example but not limited to a Nickel layer. During magnetization by an external coil, it would be possible to detect the Curie temperature as the magnetization properties would change at a given Curie temperature. Thereby, a stimulation coil SC and the functional layer FL together could form a type of non-contact magnetization temperature sensor TM. Such magnetization temperature sensor TM could apply an alternating voltage with a power module PM coil SC to the functional layers FL and analyze the response by controller/processor 5, 17, to detect one or more predetermined Curie temperatures, for example to allow for the measurement of an upper and lower temperature value for the heater. In case the heater elements 6, 7 form susceptors of an inducive heating arrangement, it is possible that one or more functional layers having a pre-defined Curie temperature is used, to allow detection of one or more temperatures with the inductive heating coil.

Moreover, the heater assembly may also comprise one or more temperature sensors TU that are configured to measure a temperature of the substrate 23 itself after being heated by the heater assembly formed by heating elements 6, 7, or at least provide for data that is indicative of the actual temperature of the substrate 23 after being heated by heating elements 6, 7. Examples are shown in Figures 24e and 24f. This can be implemented together or without the temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the heating elements 6, 7 itself. This signal or data can be provided to a controller s or data processor 17 of the aerosol-generating device 1 , and can be used to perform a closed-loop temperature control of the temperature of heater elements 6, 7, to allow for a temperature control of the temperature of the substrate 23 of article 20.

For example, the temperature sensor Til can be arranged to measure a temperature of a side wall of article 20, to have at least a temperature value that can be used to estimate or calculate the temperature of the substrate 23 that is located inside article 23. For example, a contact (Figure 24f) or non-contact temperature sensor Til (Figure 24e), for example two temperature sensors Till and TU2, can be arranged at the small side walls of heater casing 35, to sense the temperature of small side walls of article 20. The non-contact temperature sensor can be, for example, an optical temperature sensor, for example an infrared temperature sensor.

The airflow path through the aerosol-forming device 1 may begin with a first airflow path portion 40 beginning at a device air inlet 46 as shown in Figures 25 and 26. The device air inlet 46 may comprise a peripheral gap between the mouthpiece portion 900 and the device body 800. The peripheral gap may be continuous around the entire device, or may have several, potentially separate, sections or portions or openings around the device body 800. In another variant, there is one gap on each side between mouthpiece 900 and device body 800. The gap forming the device air inlet 46 may have a diameter or clearance of at most 0.05 mm or at most 0.075 mm or at most 0.1 mm or at most 0.125 mm or at most 0.15 mm or at most 0.175 mm or at most 0.2 mm. The gap or clearance may be provided around a portion of the perimeter or the circumference of the aerosol-forming device 1 , the portion for example being at least 50 % or at least 75 % or at least 90 % of the perimeter or the circumference. Alternatively, the device air inlet 46 may be configured as one or more lateral holes or channels (see Figure 26). The lateral holes may be placed at the interface of an outer surface of the mouthpiece portion 900 and the device body 800. This placement of the device air inlets 46 may present several advantages, as it may allow for easy cleaning of the airflow path to remove obstructions when the mouthpiece 901 is removed, and it may allow to conceal or make the inlets less visible. Finally, obstruction by the hand and/or fingers of the user may be made less likely. That the device air inlet 46 may be hidden may also enhance design aspects (e.g., the device air inlet 46 may be arranged inside a groove, behind a hinge, or behind a snap, etc.).

The airflow path may proceed in a second airflow path portion 41 , which may be provided by a gap between the insulation casing 2 and the heater casing 35, or through a channel inside the heater casing 35 itself. The insulating casing 2 and the heater casing 35 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. This makes several suitable airflow paths possible between these two elements. For example, there may be two parallel flow path portions on two opposite sides of the aerosol-forming article 20. In these, the air may flow parallel to an axis of longitudinal extension of the aerosol-forming article 20 along the larger side surfaces (as shown in Figure 27), or there may be two parallel flow path portions at the two smaller side surfaces of the aerosolforming article 20 or consumable. In the latter option, the air may flow parallel to the axis of longitudinal extension of the aerosol-forming article 20 along the smaller sides. Also, a combination of these flow paths may be used. With the two parallel flow path portions 41 on the smaller side surfaces, and the heater elements 6, 7 arranged to face the larger side surfaces of the aerosol-forming article, it is possible to separate a heating of the substrate and a heating of the incoming airflow, such that the air heating is mainly performed by the convective air heater assembly 70, and not by the heater elements 6, 7. In case the air heater assemble is operated on a puff-basis, e.g. is only heated when a puff occurs, this separation of these heating aspects allows to save energy and better control a temperature of the heat departed to the airflow by the convective air heater assembly 70.

Once the airflow reaches the bottom or distal end part of the insulation casing 2, which may mean the part of the insulating casing 2 opposite the mouthpiece 901 , it may then be redirected towards the convective heating chamber 73 that may accommodate the resistive heating element 71. For this, there may be provided an eighth airflow path portion 48 which leads the air radially or laterally inwards towards the longitudinal central axis of the aerosol-forming device 1. The airflow path from the entry into the convective heater assembly 70 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device 1 onwards may constitute the third airflow path portion 42. The air may enter the convective heating chamber 73 and pass along the resistive heating element 71. In one variant, the airflow may change direction from a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosolforming device 1 by approximately 90° to progress towards a center axis or longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1 , and then may change direction again by 90° to pass through the convective heating chamber 73 which may be arranged in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1. Therefore, the airflow may change flow direction by 180° or make a II- turn between the second airflow path portion 41 and third airflow path portion 42. This U-turn may be the eighth airflow path portion 48. In another variant, the resistive heating element 71 may be arranged orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1 , and the airflow may pass through the resistive heating element 71 while progressing towards the center axis or longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1. In this case, the convective heating chamber 73 may be part of the eighth airflow path portion 48. The airflow may then change direction again by 90° to leave the resistive heating element 71 and/or the convective heating chamber 73 to directly enter the aerosol-forming article 20 through the bottom fluidic interconnection element 82. The third airflow path portion 42 may then be absent. The two parallel airflow path portions 41 that are fluidically reunited, for example merged or combined, at element 42. This allows for redundancy if one of them is blocked. The parallel arrangement reduces the overall resistance-to-draw. The two parallel airflow path portions 41 that are fluidically reunited at element 42, it is possible to provide for air flow path redundancy if one of them is blocked, either due to temporary obstruction by a finger/hand of the user, or by clogging with debris. The provision of a parallel arrangement reduces the overall resistance-to-draw (RTD) of the flow path portion 41 by the factor 2, just like two resistors in parallel reduce the overall resistance of a circuit branch. However, the RTD departed by the two channels 41 can be relatively small (less thanlO mmHg or less than 5 mmHg) along the overall flow path, so that in case one of the inlets is covered, there would be an insignificant change to the overall RTD, as the main influence on the overall RTD will be departed by the convective heater 71 and/or the flow resistance provided by the substrate 23 of the article (more than 20-40 mmHg). Therefore, a user inhaling would not feel a significant change to the RTD.

The passage of the air through the resistive heating element 71 and/or the convective heating chamber 73 may be particularly important because it may allow the air coming from the outside environment and having ambient temperature (passing through airflow path portions 40 and 41) to be pre-heated by the resistive heating element 71 in very close proximity before arriving at the substrate 23. The bottom and/or distal end part of the insulating casing 2, which is directed away from the mouthpiece 901 or inhalation side of the device, may be referred to as the convective heating chamber 73, and may be configured with a convective or heat exchange heater placed therein to heat up the air upstream of the article 20. Different configurations of the convective air heater 71 may be possible and will be described in more detail below. In general, it may be desirable to use a resistive heating element 71 with as large a heating surface as possible, so that a large air surface may come into contact with the heated surfaces of the resistive heating element 71.

Also, a puff sensor 78 may be arranged at the convective heating chamber 73 (for example directly upstream of the resistive heating element 71). The puff sensor 78 may be configured to activate the resistive heating element 71 during the puff for flash heating. The puff sensor 78 may be embodied in different ways, for example by a pressure sensor with flow restriction, differential pressure sensor, flow sensor, flow detection sensor by acoustic and/or vibratory and/or optical means, etc. By placing the puff sensor 78 directly proximal to the convective heating chamber 73, reliable and quick activation of the resistive heating element 71 may be ensured to improve aerosol delivery. In the variant shown of some figures, such as figures 30, 40, 41 and others, the puff sensor 78 is exposed to an air chamber that is in fluidic communication with the convective heating chamber 73.

The pre-heated air may then exit the resistive heating element 71 into fourth airflow path portion 43, entering the consumable air intake channel 26 through the consumable air intake 24. The air may then reach cavity 22 accommodating the substrate 23. Here, the aerosol is generated due to the heating of the substrate by the heating elements 6, 7 from one or both sides as well as the pre-heated air.

The air with the generated aerosol may then continue its path along fifth airflow path portion 44 through the consumable air outlet channel 27, in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1.

Downstream of the outlet channel 27, a nucleation chamber 87 may be arranged, which may be fluidically coupled to the airflow path portion 44 and/or air outlet channel 27.

The final, sixth airflow path portion 45 of the airflow path may lead the aerosol to exit the aerosol-forming article 20 and to reach the mouthpiece portion 900. There, the aerosol may be released at the mouthpiece outlet and inhaled by a user. As the aerosol-forming article 20 may protrude from the device body 800 and/or the heating chamber 30 into the mouthpiece portion 900, the aerosol may be partially generated in the mouthpiece portion 900 too. For example, the aerosol-forming article 20 may protrude from the device body 800 and/or the heating chamber 30 by 1 mm to 15 mm, for example by 2 mm to 10 mm or by 3 mm to 7 mm or by 4 mm to 6 mm, for example by 5 mm. The mouthpiece portion 900 may be replaceable and/or removably fixed to the device body 800. The sixth airflow path portion 45 may further include a nucleation chamber 87, which may be arranged in the mouthpiece 901. The nucleation chamber may comprise one or more air inlets for air infusion into the aerosol, and an increase in flow cross-sectional area relative to the air outlet channel 27, wherein the air inlets may be arranged separate from the airflow path and may lead directly into the nucleation chamber from the outside environment. Thereby, the composition of the aerosol may be adjusted, for example by dilution with the outside air and/or forming of droplets, to improve aerosol quality and taste.

For illustrative purposes, only one part of the air flow path is highlighted by means of arrows in Figure 27. It is noted that there can be two, four or even more parallel airflow paths 40, 41. For example on each of the lateral sides or faces of the article 20, one channel of airflow path 40, 41 may be arranged.

The airflow path may also comprise a seventh airflow path portion 47, which may be arranged between the first airflow path portion 40 and the second airflow path portion 41. In the seventh airflow path portion 47, the air may arrive from inlets or inlet channels of the first airflow path portion 40 into one or more side chambers 86, and may then flow through openings 80 leading into the second airflow path portion 41 . This is shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 28. As also shown in the front view of Figure 29, the openings 80 may be arranged to allow the air to pass the small side surfaces of the inserted aerosol-forming article 20. The side chambers 86 may be open volumes when the mouthpiece 901 is removed or moved away from the heating chamber 30 thereby allowing easy access for cleaning, for example by tilting or sliding, or the side chambers 86 may be separate closed volumes regardless of the state of the mouthpiece 901. For example, the side chambers 86 may be provided as grooves or recesses in the heater casing 35 and/or the insulating casing 2, for example having a wedge-shaped volume with a slated surface leading to openings 80. An additional element may form the side chambers 86 and openings 80, for example a shell that may encompass the heater casing 35 and/or the insulating casing 2. Also, downstream of the openings 80, there may be an additional chamber or channel that may lead to the gaps that form the second airflow path portion 41. The side chambers 86 may facilitate grasping the portion of the aerosol-forming article 20 protruding from the heating chamber 30 for removal of the aerosol-forming article 20, providing the necessary open space for easier grasping of the smaller side walls. Also, side chambers 86 may simplify cleaning of the first airflow path portion 40. Openings 80 may be configured with a cross-sectional area providing the airflow path with a desired resistance to draw.

In summary, the aerosol-forming device 1 may be configured so that an airflow channel to transport the air from the proximal end of the device body 800 to the convective heater assembly 70 may be provided between the heater casing 35 and the insulating casing 2, this airflow channel preferably being arranged on each side of the main surfaces of the aerosol-forming article 20 (when the article 20 is in the heating chamber 30) and the heating chamber 30. This airflow channel is shown in Figures 27 and 28. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming device 1 may be configured so that an airflow channel to transport the air from the proximal end of the device body 800 to the convective heater assembly 70 may be provided between the lateral side walls of the aerosol-forming article 20 and the smaller inner side walls of the heating chamber 30. The entrance and arrangement of this airflow channel is shown in Figures 29 and 30 and will be described in more detail below. It is noted already, however, that also mixtures of the two embodiments may be possible. For example, all four airflow paths of both embodiments may be present in a device 1. Or there may be mixture of at least one of the airflow paths of both embodiments. This is not limited in the present disclosure.

The airflow channels 41 can extend along the smaller side faces of the article 20. The airflow paths 41 may be arranged or extend along the heating chamber 30, or can be arranged or extend within the heating chamber 30.

For example, the aerosol-forming device 1 may not have a circular cross-sectional shape, but rather a rounded rectangular shape, for example. Further, there may be two or four side channels or airflow paths 41 , optionally arranged on opposing sides of the device 1.

Figure 30 shows an aerosol-forming device 1 with a front sliding insertion mechanism in its open configuration with the mouthpiece portion 900 slid away from the device body 800. In contrast to the previous embodiments, in this airflow path, the airflow may be in direct contact with the lateral sides of the frame of the aerosol-forming article 20 (in the previous embodiment with openings 80, there is also a direct contact of the airflow with aerosol-forming article 20, but for a much smaller portion). The lateral sides of the frame of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be the sides running parallel to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming article 20 and also parallel to the airflow path through the aerosol-forming article 20, and which are not the main surfaces of the aerosol-forming article 20.

The air may enter the airflow path from the device air inlet 46 or gap obtained between the mouthpiece portion 900 and the device body 800 when the device is in its closed configuration, similarly to the first airflow path portion 40 as described above. The air may then proceed through the openings 80 provided in the heating chamber 30 on the lateral sides of the aerosol-forming article 20 as highlighted in Figure 29, for example via two side chambers 86, respectively. The side chambers 86 may be tapered towards openings 80. In other words, the side chambers 86 may have a wedge-like or a funnel-like shape in the direction of the openings 80, leading into the next airflow path portion.

In this embodiment, a channel 211 may be provided between the aerosol-forming article 20 and the heater casing 35. The channel 211 may be provided as an open groove or a similar structure, for example in smaller inner side walls of the heater casing 35. With the open grooves, the airflow channels 211 are only defined once an aerosol-forming article 20 is inserted into heating chamber 30, and sealed at the downstream inlet 24. It may extend longitudinally all along the lateral side of the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20. The air may enter the channel 211 through openings 80 and may flow along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1 until it reaches the bottom part of the convective heater assembly 70, e.g. the entry part of the convective heating chamber 73. Here, the airflow may pass the puff sensor 78, which may detect the airflow as a puff and may trigger the flash heating of the air in the convective heater assembly 70. The puff sensor 78 may include one or more pressure sensors or other sensing means able to detect a change in airflow and/or pressure.

The airflow may then enter the gap or fluidic channel 74 of the resistive heating element 71 so that the air is pre-heated. The pre-heated air may then enter the aerosol-forming article 20 through the consumable air inlet channel 26. For example, gaps 74 or fluidic channels may be provided with additional heating structures therein, for example a porous air permeable heating body, baffles, web, mesh, or coils for heating the air. Conversely, the gaps 74 or fluidic channels in the convective heating chamber 73 may be free of additional heating elements. As an example, in this embodiment, the resistive heating element 71 is arranged to be angled at 90° to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1 and/or the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming article 20.

The pre-heated air may then flow inside the aerosol-forming article 20, where the main constituents of the aerosol may be extracted from the substrate 23. In this portion, the substances for inhalation are volatilized and aerosol may be generated, for example partially in the substrate 23 and partially in the nucleation chamber 87. Substrate 23 may be in a pre-heated state from heating elements 6, 7 which heat the substrate 23, for example flat resistive heaters that may contact the outer surface of the consumable article to heat the substrate as explained herein, but can also be in a state where volatilization of the one or more substances occur.

The generated aerosol may then continue its path through the mouthpiece portion 900 (Figure 30 shows an open configuration, in which the mouthpiece 901 is slid away from the device body 800, however, generation of aerosol may only be possible when the device is in its closed configuration) and be inhaled by a user. By providing an airflow path directly in contact with the lateral side surfaces of the aerosol-forming article 20, cleaning of the airflow path may be facilitated. With the removal of the aerosol-forming article 20, the heating chamber 30 and its side surfaces along with the channel 211 may be accessible for a user to clean and remove debris and particles, and free for visual inspection.

Another aspect of the airflow path is shown in Figure 34a. The airflow and its direction is shown by the small arrows in this Figure. In this embodiment, the airflow enters the aerosolforming device 1 at the device air inlet 46, which may comprise an opening to the outside environment, for example a hole or channel in the casing, or which may comprise a gap or clearance between the mouthpiece portion 900 and the device body 800, as previously described. It then flows through the first airflow path portion 41 , which may comprise a channel along the smaller side walls of the aerosol-forming article 20, or which may additionally or alternatively comprise a channel between the heater casing 35 and the insulation casing 2, which may be distanced from the aerosol-forming article 20 in the normal direction of the aerosol-forming article 20 (not shown in Figure 34a).

The airflow then enters the airflow path portions 48 and 42, in which the air flows laterally inwards into the direction of the longitudinal central axis of the aerosol-forming device 1 and passes through the convective heater assembly 70. The convective heater assembly 70 may either be arranged in the lateral portion of the airflow path, meaning that the air flows laterally inward while passing through the convective heater assembly 70, or the convective heater assembly 70 may be arranged parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the aerosol-forming device 1 and the air may flow through the convective heater assembly 70 along or parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the aerosol-forming device 1. The air pre-heated by the convective heater assembly 70 may then enter the aerosol-forming article 20 through the bottom fluidic interconnection element 82 at airflow path portion 43. Aerosol is generated at the substrate 23 of the article 20, and the air then exits the aerosol-forming article 20 through the top fluidic interconnection element 81 at airflow path portion 44. The air then directly enters the nucleation chamber 87, which may be arranged inside the top fluidic interconnection element 81 , flows through the mouthpiece portion 900 and may be inhaled by a user at airflow path portion 45.

As shown in Figure 34a, the nucleation chamber 87 is connected to the outside environment and therefore fresh, ambient air through air inlets 85. The air inlets 85 of the nucleation chamber 87 may be in fluidic connection with the same device air inlet 46 as the airflow path portions 40, 41 , 48, 42, 43, 44, and 45. In other words, the air inlets 85 of the nucleation chamber 87 and the airflow path or channel leading through the heating chamber 30 and the aerosol-forming article 20 may share the same device air inlet 46. From the device air inlet 46, the airflow path may branch, a first airflow branch leading to the heating chamber 30 and the aerosol-forming article 20 and a second airflow branch leading to the nucleation chamber 87. This may allow to avoid obstruction of only one of the first or second airflow branches separately, as either both are obstructed, or none. This may in turn simplify the recognition and therefore elimination of an obstruction. Also, the arrangement of the airflow paths in this way is very compact and space saving.

In Figure 30a, the arrangement of the different components of the aerosol-forming device 1 is shown. Specifically, the heater casing 35 containing the heating chamber 30 may be arranged in the insulating casing 2, as shown. In turn, the insulating casing 2 may be arranged in an outer casing 801 , for example an outer casing 801 making up at least part of the outer shell or contour of the aerosol-forming device 1. In other words, outer casing 801 may be touched by a user’s fingers while using the aerosol-forming device 1 . As shown, the heater casing 35 may be arranged in the insulating casing 2 such that there is an air gap between most outer surfaces of the heater casing 35 and the insulating casing 2, further improving insulation. The heater casing 35 and the insulating casing 2 may only be in contact with each other at a mounting structure 352 or attachment means provided to fix or hold the heater casing 35 in the insulating casing 2. Similarly, the insulating casing 2 may be arranged in the outer casing 801 such that there is an air gap between most outer surfaces of the insulating casing 2 and the outer casing 801. Another mounting structure may be provided to fix or hold the insulating casing 2 in the outer casing 801.

Another possible aspect of the airflow path is shown in Figures 30a to 30e. In particular, Figures 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d show an air channel 351 which may be arranged in the heater casing 35, particularly in the sidewall of the heater casing 35. The air channel 351 may be provided or configured as a hollow space inside the sidewall of the heater casing 35. The air channel 351 may be an airtight space with only an inlet opening at the mouthpiece-side end and an outlet opening at the opposite side, for example in the direction of the convective heater assembly 70. The air channel 351 may constitute or be comprised in the second airflow path portion 41 and may be configured to guide fresh air from the inlet at the mouthpiece portion 900 to the convective heater assembly 70, after which the air may enter the aerosol-forming article 20. As shown in the Figures, there may be provided two opposite air channels 351 in two opposite sidewalls of the heater casing 35.

The air channels 351 in the heater casing 35 may be provided as a substantially flat hollow space. This may mean that the clearance of the air channels 351 in the height direction is smaller than in the width direction, wherein both the height direction and the width direction may be perpendicular and/or orthogonal to the longitudinal direction or axis of the aerosol-forming device 1 . Both the clearance of the air channels 351 in the height direction and in the width direction may in turn be smaller than the length of the air channels 351 in the longitudinal direction or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1. As an example, the clearance of the air channels 351 in the height direction may be from 0.1 mm to 1 mm, for example from 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm or from 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm or from 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, for example 0.4 mm. The clearance in the height direction may define the thickness of the air channels 351. The clearance of the air channels 351 in the width direction may be from 5 mm to 15 mm, for example from 7 mm to 13 mm or from 9 mm to 11 mm, for example 10 mm. The clearance of the air channels 351 in the longitudinal direction may be in a range between 20 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm, more preferably about 30 mm. However, these values are merely exemplary and other values may be used.

The substantially flat form of the air channels 351 may be arranged such that when the aerosol-forming article 20 is inserted into the heating chamber 30, the air channels 351 are arranged in parallel to the main surfaces of the aerosol-forming article 20. In turn, this may mean that each of the heating elements 6, 7 may be arranged between the aerosol-forming article 20 and one of the air channels 351 , respectively. Because of the substantially flat or flat form of the air channels 351 , the heating elements 6, 7 may be shielded from the outside by the air in the air channels 351 . This arrangement may advantageously lead to the airflow through the air channels 351 being heated up by heat conduction from the heating elements 6, 7, which may lead to preheating of the air. Also, another advantage may be that the outer casing is shielded from heat and kept cooler, avoiding hot surfaces in touch with the user’s hands. As the air is guided through the heater casing 35 and not through the heating chamber in this embodiment, cooling down the heating elements 6, 7 directly by convection is also avoided. As the air in the air channels 351 is also isolated from the aerosol-forming article 20, aerosol quality and taste may be improved by avoiding contact with heated parts of the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20.

While Figures 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d show air channels 351 in the heater casing 35, Figure 30e shows air channels 200 arranged in the insulating casing 2. In principle, air channels 200 are similar to air channels 351 . All the features and dimensions of the air channels 351 are therefore also applicable to the air channels 200. The only difference is that air channels 200 are arranged in the sidewall of the insulating casing 2. Air channels 200 may be provided in addition or alternatively to air channels 351. Providing air channels 200 in the insulating casing 2 may improve cooling of the outer casing 801 even more, ensuring that the user’s fingers do not get burned.

Another possible concept is also shown in Figures 30a to 30e, namely, a modular heater casing 35, which may also be called a heater module or heating module herein. As already mentioned and as shown in Figures 30a and 30c, the heater casing 35 may be mounted inside the insulating casing 2 by a mounting structure 352 or attachment means. The mounting structure

352 may be configured such that the heater casing 35 may be removably inserted and/or mounted inside the insulating casing 2. Figure 30d shows the heater casing 35 alone, removed from the insulating casing 2, whereas Figure 30e shows the insulating casing 2 alone, removed from the heater casing 35. As mentioned above, while Figure 30d shows air channels 351 and Figure 30e shows air channels 200, it may be that only the air channels 351 or the air channels 200 or both are used in a specific embodiment. In Figure 30d, the heater casing 35 may be provided with mounting protrusions 353, which may be configured to form-fittingly engage mounting guides 354 on the inside surface of the insulating casing 2 as shown in Figure 30e. The mounting protrusions

353 and the mounting guides 354 may together constitute or be comprised by the mounting structure 352. For example, the mounting protrusions 353 may be configured to be inserted and slidingly engage the mounting guides 354, thereby enabling the insertion and mounting of the heater casing 35 in the insulating casing 2. There may also be provided a fixation device, for example a snap fit device or a force fit device, to fix the heater casing 35 in the insulating casing 2. While the mounting protrusions 353 are exemplary shown on the heater casing 35 and the mounting guides 354 exemplary shown on the insulating casing 2, the opposite arrangement is also possible, i.e. the mounting protrusions 353 may be arranged on the insulating casing 2 and the mounting guides 354 may be arranged on the heater casing 35.

The mounting structure 352 may be arranged opposite of or closest to the lateral sides of an aerosol-forming article 20 inserted into the heating chamber 30. In other words, the mounting structure 352 may be arranged away from the main surfaces of the aerosol-forming article 20 so as not to interfere with heating of the main surfaces.

The modular, i.e. removably mounted, heater casing 35 may therefore be removed from the aerosol-forming device 1. This may facilitate cleaning of the heater casing 35, especially the inside of the heating chamber 30, or replacement of the heater casing 35. A cleaned or new heater casing 35 may subsequently be inserted into the aerosol-forming device 1 , which may improve hygiene of the aerosol-forming device 1 . Additionally, there may be provided different heater casings 35 for different purposes, for example for different aerosol-forming articles 20, or utilizing different heating concepts in the heating chamber. Therefore, the modular heater casing 35 may improve flexibility of the device and user experience.

It may be important to ensure a sealed airflow path. In this regard, the fluidic connection of the air inlet 24 and the air outlet 25 of the aerosol-forming article 20 may require specific considerations. There may be a need to prevent that pulling or drawing on the mouthpiece 901 by a user will not pull undesired air from air inlets in the first airflow path portion 40 towards or into the sixth airflow path portion 45 in the mouthpiece 901. Also, it may be necessary to ensure that air in the convective heating chamber 73 fully enters the aerosol-forming article 20 without any or only insignificant leaks into the main heating chamber 30. Therefore, an airtight or substantially airtight sealing is needed at the air inlet 24 and the air outlet 25 of the aerosolforming article 20.

The aerosol-forming device 1 may therefore comprise at least one or both of a first or top or downstream fluidic interconnection element 81 at the consumable air outlet 25 (see Figures 33 and 34) and a second or bottom or upstream fluidic interconnection element 82 at the consumable air inlet 24 (see Figure 32). The fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may also be called sealing elements. They are configured to establish a connection between the airflow path inside the aerosol-forming article 20 and the airflow path outside the aerosol-forming article 20, i.e. through the rest of the aerosol-forming device 1. While the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 and their engagement and/or interaction with the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20 are configured to make the connection as airtight as possible, a “seal” or “sealing” in the present sense may or may not require complete airtightness or aerosol-tightness. Raher, the upstream fluidic interconnection element 82 may provide some or a certain degree of airtightness and/or the downstream fluidic interconnection element 81 may provide some or a certain degree of aerosol-tightness. An overview of both fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 and their arrangement is shown in Figure 31. Each fluidic interconnection element 81 , 82 may comprise a blade structure providing for a flow path. Specifically, the airflow path may lead through a hollow interior of the fluidic interconnection element 81 , 82.

It is noted here that the terms "bottom" and "top" may refer to the device 1 being arranged vertically with the mouthpiece 900 arranged pointing upwards, for example such that the longitudinal axis of the device 1 is parallel to a vertical direction.

The clearance provided by the airflow path through the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may be larger than the clearance provided by the airflow path through the aerosol-forming article 20, particularly the air inlet 24 and the air outlet 25 of the aerosol-forming article 20. In other words, the cross-section or inner diameter of the airflow path in the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may be larger than the cross-section or inner diameter of the airflow path in the aerosol-forming article 20, particularly the air inlet 24 and the air outlet 25 of the aerosol-forming article 20. The length of the airflow path or flow path through the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may be defined by the length of the inner wall or surface of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 lining the flow path. For example, the inner wall of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may have a length of between 2 mm and 15 mm, for example between 3 mm and 10 mm. Additionally, the fluidic interconnection element 81 , 82 may comprise a circumferential blade edge 83 on a first end of the fluidic interconnection element 81 , 82 in the direction of the airflow in the airflow path. The blade edge 83 may therefore also be called first end edge 83. The first end may be directed towards the aerosol-forming article 20, particularly towards the substrate chamber or cavity 22 in the aerosol-forming article 20. The fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may also be described as having a protruding tooth shape. Also, the first end edge 83 may be fully arranged in one plane that is perpendicular to the insertion direction, and have no serrated or dented structures, to provide for a sealing lip.

Figure 31 also shows the heating chamber airflow length 37, which may describe the clearance between the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 in a closed or use position of the aerosol-forming device. The heating chamber airflow length 37 may be measured with or without an aerosol-forming article 20 inserted into the heating chamber 30. The heating chamber airflow length 37 may be between 19.2 mm to 39.2 mm.

The fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may be configured to penetrate, cut, or press into the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20. For example, the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may be configured to penetrate, cut, or press into the frame 21 of the aerosolforming article 20 for a depth of from 0.05 mm to 1 mm, for example from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may be configured to penetrate the frame 21 around the air inlet 24 and the air outlet 25 of the aerosol-forming article 20. In particular, the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may penetrate the frame 21 around the complete perimeter of the air inlet 24 and the air outlet 25, for example when the aerosol-forming article 20 is arranged in the heating chamber 30 and the mouthpiece 901 is in the closed position. The fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may be configured so that the penetration into the frame 21 of the article 20 is distanced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosolforming article 20 from the air inlet 24 and the air outlet 25 of the aerosol-forming article 20 and/or the main or large surfaces of the aerosol-forming article 20 by at least 0.1 mm to 1 mm, for example by 0.25 mm to 0.7 mm or by 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm, for example by 0.4 mm.

As already mentioned, the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be made from or comprise a cellulose fiber material. The material of the frame 21 may be or may be configured to be compressible. Thus, when the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 penetrate, cut, or press into the frame 21 , the material of the frame 21 may be displaced and compressed, which may lead to an improved airtightness of the sealing. As the aerosol-forming article 20 is removable and is usually only used for one usage session, the deformation caused by the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 does not necessarily have to be reversible, and at least some deformation can remain after use.

A detailed view of the first fluidic interconnection element 81 is shown in Figures 35, 36 and 37. A detailed view of the second fluidic interconnection element 82 is shown in Figures 38 and 39. The structure and shape of the first end edge 83 or blade edge 83 and the blade wall 84 or blade structure 84 may be similar in both fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 and the respective description may therefore be applicable to both fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82. The first end edge 83 of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may completely surround the airflow path. The first end edge 83 may define an opening of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 through which the airflow path is arranged. The opening may have an oblong shape, for example in cross-section, for example perpendicular to the air flow direction. In an example, the oblong cross-section of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may have a length of between 12 mm and 4 mm. The oblong cross-section of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may have a height perpendicular to the length and between 0.8 mm and 3 mm, for example between 1 mm and 2 mm. The blade wall 84, which may also be called the blade structure, comprising the first end edge 83, may protrude from the back plate 88 in the direction of the air flow by between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, for example by between 0.8 mm and 5 mm. The blade structure 84 may be fixed to or be formed as a single piece with the back plate 88, which may extend perpendicular to the air flow direction. It may be thicker at the base, opposite the first end edge 83, and may taper in the direction of the first end edge 83, thereby forming a first end edge 83 sharp enough to penetrate the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20. The blade structure 84 may be tapered on both the inside and the outside surface of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82, i.e. both the inside surface contacting the air in the airflow path or channel and the surface directed away from the airflow path or channel. This is shown in Figure 35. Alternatively, the blade structure 84 may be tapered only or exclusively on the outside surface of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82, i.e. the surface directed away from the airflow path or channel. The inside surface of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82, i.e. the surface contacting the air in the airflow path or channel, may be smooth, flat and/or unobstructed. For example, the inside surface of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may be completely parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1 and/or the aerosol-forming article 20 and/or parallel to the direction of the airflow in the airflow path or channel. This is shown in Figures 36 to 39. This embodiment has two main advantages: By only tapering the outside surface of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 and leaving the inside surfaces completely flat and smooth, the airflow in the airflow path or channel may not be influenced in any way. A tapered inside surface may, otherwise, act as a flow restriction, possibly negatively affecting the airflow. Additionally, by leaving the inside surface of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 straight and only tapering the outside surface, when the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 are inserted into the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20 by penetration, the material of the frame 21 may be only or substantially only displaced by the tapered outside surface, displacing the material in a direction away from the airflow path or channel. In this way, no displaced material of the frame 21 is displaced or otherwise pressured into the airflow path or channel, which would again possibly affect the airflow negatively and impact aerosol formation. This is avoided by the specific shape of the hollow blade structure as explained herein.

The fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may be configured such that their first end edge 83 or blade edge 83 lies in a plane which is or is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1 and/or the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming article 20 and/or the airflow path direction in the aerosol-forming article 20. In other words, the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82, specifically their respective first end edge, may not comprise or may be free of any serration or denting. In addition, the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82, specifically their respective first end edges, may be unbeveled. The first end edge may not form a hollow needle-like slanted end edge. This may be a major difference between the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 according to the present disclosure, which may be configured to seal the airpath, and for example needles or needle-like elements used to pierce or puncture cartridges or capsules or membranes with aerosol-forming substrates, for example liquids. Needles used for this purpose are typically beveled and therefore do not lead to airtight sealing with only very small puncturing depths as used with the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 of the present disclosure.

The fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may be made from food-grade hard plastic material that is temperature-resistant to above 250°C , for example polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or another polyaryletherketone (PAEK), or also Polyethylenimine (PEI). The preferred material is PEEK. Alternatively, the fluidic interconnection element 81 and/or element 82 may be made from metal material, for example stainless steel. However, the downstream fluidic interconnection element 82, for example the main body thereof, may preferably not be made of metal, as this material has high-thermal conductivity and would easily store thermal energy, thereby potentially impacting the puff-based operation of the convective heater assembly 70. It may also be provided that only the walls of the blade structure 84 may be made from plastic material, for example PEEK or PEEK 450 G, while only the first end edge 83 may be made from a metal material, for example stainless steel, for example by insertion molding with the PEEK. This may allow for even sharper edges than purely plastic fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82, and can reduce the mechanical wear of the first end edge 83. The thickness of the blade edge 83, particularly a flat first end surface, may be between 0.01 mm and 0.3 mm, for example between 0.03 mm and 0.15 mm or between 0.08 mm and 0.1 mm. The fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may comprise a surface coating. The fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may have a hardness value of at least 70, for example at least 80 or at least 100, for example of 105, on the Rockwell scale.

The top fluidic interconnection element 81 may be configured to form at least a part of the nucleation chamber 87, as shown in Figures 35, 36 and 37. In other words, the top fluidic interconnection element 81 may house at least a part of the nucleation chamber 87. Also, the one or more air inlets 85 connecting the nucleation chamber 87 with air from the outside environment, particularly with air from outside the airflow path, may be arranged in the top fluidic interconnection element 81 , for example in a sidewall of the top fluidic interconnection element 81 . There may be one, two, three, or four air inlets 85 provided for the nucleation chamber 87. The air inlets 85 may be arranged in pairs opposite of each other, for example one pair or two or more opposing pairs. For example, in the case that four (4) air inlets 85 may be used, as illustrated in the drawing, they may be arranged in two opposite pairs, wherein the two pairs may be arranged perpendicular to each other. Air from the outside may therefore stream into the nucleation chamber 87 from up to four different sides, increasing aerosol quality. In these configurations, the nucleation chamber 87 may be very close downstream of the aerosol-forming article 20, providing a compact device and further increasing aerosol quality. The air inlets 85 may be arranged closer to the first end edge 83 than to an opposite end of the fluidic interconnection element 81.

For example, an inner wall or wall of the blade structure 84, for example measured along the longitudinal direction from the blade edge or first end edge 83, which inner wall can form the flow path through the fluidic interconnection element 81 , may have a length of between 1 mm and 20 mm, for example between 2 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm. Accordingly, a length of the blade structure 84, the fluidic interconnection element 81 and/or the nucleation chamber 87, for example measured along or parallel to the longitudinal axis, may be between 1 mm and 20 mm, for example between 2 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm. The same may apply to the other fluidic interconnection element 82.

A distance of the first end edge 83 of the fluidic interconnection element 81 to one of the air inlets 85, for example measured along or parallel to the longitudinal axis, may be less than 13 mm, for example less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, more preferably less than 3 mm, even more preferably less than 2 mm. The distance of the first end edge 83 of the fluidic interconnection element 81 to one of the air inlets 85 may be between about 0.5 mm to about 13 mm, for example between about 0.7 mm to about 10 mm, preferably between about 1 mm to about 5 mm, even more preferably between about 1.5 mm to about 3.5 mm, for example about 1 .5 mm to about 2.5 mm.

The top fluidic interconnection element 81 is also shown in Figure 34. It may be arranged on the mouthpiece portion 900 and may engage, i.e. penetrate the frame 21 of, the aerosol- forming article 20 once the mouthpiece portion 900 is completely connected to the device body 800, i.e. is in the closed position. Although Figure 34 shows a mouthpiece portion 900 with a hinged solution to allow the closure of the aerosol-forming device 1 , alternative solutions are also possible, for example a sliding solution, or a hinged-sliding solution. The aerosol-forming article 20 may protrude from the device body 800, particularly from the heating chamber 30, by 1 mm to 10 mm, for example by 2 mm to 8 mm or by 3 mm to 7 mm or by 4 mm to 6 mm, for example by 5 mm, to facilitate the sealing by the top fluidic interconnection element 81 and so that the consumable may be easily grasped by a user for removal after use, for example by use of his or her index finger and his or her thumb. Additionally, the three (3) views in Figure 34 show example distance values. For example, during a rotational or flipping motion of the mouthpiece portion 900 from an open position to a closed or use position, there may be provided minimum distance or clearance of 0.05 mm, for example of 0.1 mm or of 0.2 mm or of 0.3 mm, between the top fluidic interconnection element 81 , particularly the first end edge 83 of the top fluidic interconnection element 81 , and the aerosol-forming article 20. These values may mean that during all of the motion of the mouthpiece portion 900, the clearance is never smaller than these values. The view on the right of the Figure shows an exemplary penetration depth of the fluidic interconnection element 81 into the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20 of 0.4 mm. As mentioned, other penetration depths are possible. As shown in the middle and the right view of the Figure, the fluidic interconnection element 81 and the aerosol-forming article 20 may be configured and/or arranged so that during penetration of the frame 21 by the fluidic interconnection element 81 , the first end edge 83 of the fluidic interconnection element 81 may be distanced from the outer surface of the aerosol-forming article 20 by at least 0.1 mm, for example by at least 0.2 mm or by at least 0.3 mm or by at least 0.4 mm or by at least 0.5 mm or by at least 0.6 mm or by at least 0.7 mm or by at least 0.8 mm, for example by 0.63 mm. This may be measured in the direction of the thickness T and/or the width W of the aerosol-forming article 20. These dimensions and arrangements may ensure that the penetration of the material of the frame 21 and its partial displacement and compaction by the fluidic interconnection element 81 leads to an airtight seal of the airflow path. While these features have been explained taking the top fluidic interconnection element 81 as an example, they may also be applied to the bottom fluidic interconnection element 82 and its penetration into the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20.

The bottom fluidic interconnection element 82, as shown in Figures 38 and 39, may be configured to form at least a part of the convective heating chamber 73. In other words, the bottom fluidic interconnection element 82 may house at least a part of the resistive heating element 71. This can be seen in Figure 40, in which a helix-shaped resistive heating element 71 is used. The air may arrive from second airflow path portion 41 and enter the third airflow path portion 42 in the convective heating chamber 73 at least partly housed in the fluidic interconnection element 82. The air may enter the convective heating chamber 73 from two sides, for example opposing sides. As the bottom fluidic interconnection element 82 may directly contact and penetrate into the aerosol-forming article 20 around the air inlet 24, there may be only a minimal distance between the end of the resistive heating element 71 and the air inlet 24, or may even protrude into the air inlet 24, ensuring that the air preheated in the resistive heating element 71 does not cool off substantially before entering the aerosol-forming article 20.

An alternative embodiment to the penetration of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 into the material of the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20 is shown in Figure 41. While the Figure only shows the upstream fluidic interconnection element 82, which may also be referred to herein as bottom fluidic interconnection element 82, and the connection to the air inlet 24, the features shown are also applicable to the downstream fluidic interconnection element 81 , which may also be referred to herein as top fluidic interconnection element 81 , and the connection to the air outlet 25. In the previous embodiment, the front or rear surface 212 of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be connected to the inner surface 213 by an edge or a corner, for example a corner of or substantially of a right angle. The front or rear surface 212 of the aerosol-forming article 20 may pertain to the surface that in the previous embodiment, the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 penetrated into. It may be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosolforming article 20. The inner surface 213 may pertain to the surface lining the airflow path in the air inlet channel 26 and/or the air outlet channel 27 of the aerosol-forming article 20. As shown in Figure 41 in comparison to Figure 40, the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20 may comprise a tapered edge around the air inlet 24 and/or the air outlet 25. In other words, the front or rear surface 212 of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be connected to the inner surface 213 by a tapered edge or corner. Therefore, there may be provided a cone or funnel-like recess in the aerosol-forming article 20 around the air inlet 24 and/or the air outlet 25. In this embodiment, the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may not be configured to penetrate into the frame 21 , but may be configured to be pressed into the tapered surface of the cone or funnel-like recess in the aerosol-forming article 20. The pressure for this may be provided by any of the spring 90 mechanisms described herein. With the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 pressed into the air inlet 24 and/or the air outlet 25 in this way, a seal between the different portions of the airflow path may also be achieved.

The tapered edge, corner or bevel 214 of the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20 is more closely shown in Figures 41a and 41b. These Figures show a cross-sectional view of two variations of the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 and blade structure 84 as well as the air inlet 24 and air outlet 25 of the aerosol-forming article 20. These variations may also be used for sealing of the fluidic interface between the aerosol-forming article 20 and the rest of device 1 , either upstream or downstream of the aerosol-forming article 20, without obstructing the airflow path, and still by providing a reliable seal by engagement with the body or frame 21 of the aerosolforming article 20.

The conical/tapered variant of Figure 41a may provide for sealing by pressuring surfaces together, but may also allow for some automatic or self-centering alignment between the aerosolforming article 20 and the device 1 , by the engagement of complementary conical/tapered surfaces on the blade structure 84 and the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20. The variant of Figure 41 b may combine the alignment or self-centering with an additional sealing function by the outer edge of the blade structure 84. Specifically, the outer edge of the blade structure 84 may be provided with a stop or limit stop 850 which protrudes perpendicularly to the airflow direction and which may press or otherwise engage with the outer surface wall of the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20, for example around the air inlet 24 and/or air outlet 25. In this way, the insertion of the blade structure 84 into the aerosol-forming article 20 may be limited. Also, the sealing effect may be improved by the limit stop 850 being pressed against the outer wall of the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20. Both variants may also prevent that the wall of the frame 21 forming the air inlet 24 and/or air outlet 25 collapses or otherwise protrudes into the flow path after connection to the fluidic interconnection element 81 , 82. In this way, it is avoided that the soft, somewhat compressible nature of the material forming the walls or frame 21 of aerosolforming article 20 (e.g. fibrous material, cellulose, paper fibers) cave into or otherwise fall or be pressed into the airflow openings 24, 26 of the aerosol-forming article 20, that could otherwise lead to an undesired increase of the resistance to draw (RTD) or other reduction of the air-flow cross-section, leading to undesired particles or parts into the airflow path.

As shown in Figures 41a and 41 b, the inner clearance g2 provided for the airflow through the fluidic interconnection element 81 , 82 may be greater than or equal to the inner clearance g1 provided for the airflow through the aerosol-forming article 20. In this way, the aerosol-forming article 20 may provide for and define the necessary air flow rates through the substrate 23 for aerosolization as well as for a desired resistance to draw (RTD).

Additionally, these variants may also be used to pierce a seal (e.g., membrane, aluminum foil, etc.) that may be placed to cover the air inlet 24 and/or air outlet 25 of the aerosol-forming article 20. Combinations of the embodiments where there is a cutting (for example according to Figure 40) and a pressing by different surfaces/structures to provide for the seal according to Figures 41 , 41a, and 41b are also possible.

An example embodiment of the convective heater assembly 70 comprising the resistive heating element 71 is shown in Figures 42 and 43. The resistive heating element 71 may be configured to heat the incoming air before the air arrives at the heating chamber 30. It may be configured as a flat or planar resistive heater, i.e. a plate, and may be arranged at the bottom or distal end (i.e. upstream of in terms of the airflow path; the bottom or distal end may mean the end opposite the mouthpiece 901) of the heating chamber 30. The shape of the resistive heating element 71 may be adapted to the shape of the aerosol-forming device 1 and the aerosol-forming article 20. The resistive heating element 71 may be configured in shape and arrangement to increase the efficiency of the heat exchange between the resistive heating element 71 and the air around it, particularly the air flowing through the airflow path or channel during a puff, given the specific flat design of the substrate 23 and the aerosol-forming article 20. For example, the resistive heating element 71 may be a rectangular plate, optionally with rounded corners, or a round, oval or circular plate. A higher heating efficiency may result in an increase of the aerosol deliveries and/or a reduction of the harmful or potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs).

The convective heater assembly 70 may be configured to let the air in the airflow path or channel flow through the convective heating chamber 73 and pass by the planar or flat resistive heating element 71. For this, there may be provided two narrow gaps 74 or clearance or fluidic channel for the air to pass above and below the resistive heating element 71 , respectively on two opposing sides of the resistive heating element 71. In other words, the resistive heating element 71 may consist of a resistive heating element that extends planarly within a thin hollow space, so that the air can pass above and below the resistive heating element through the two gaps 74 provided. The convective heating chamber 73 and/or the gaps 74 may be empty and free of any further air guiding or heat exchanging elements. For example, there may be no porous plug or plug of porous material meant to increase the heat exchange. Several tests performed on circular and flat heaters have confirmed that a tiny air gap 74 is more performant compared to porous plugs or similar elements in terms of heat exchange.

As a consequence, the dimensions of the air gap 74 may be configured for maximizing the convective heat exchange, as shown in Figure 43. For example, the clearance provided by the gap 74 between the resistive heating element 71 and the inner surface of the convective heating chamber 73 may have a width in a range between 3 mm to 15 mm, and have a height of less than 0.5 mm and more than 0.05 mm, preferably less than 0.3 mm and more than 0.1 mm, preferably less than 0.25 mm to 0.1 mm. The gaps 74 may be configured as a flow restriction in the airflow channel or path. Its dimensions may therefore also be chosen in view of resistance to draw.

An alternative embodiment of the resistive heating element 71 will now be explained with reference to Figure 44. The resistive heating element 71 may be configured as a serpentine and/or meandering resistive branch or track, for example having a plurality of parallel loops or branches connected in series. The resistive branches or tracks may be arranged between two electrical connection pins 76, which may be configured for electrically connecting the resistive heating element 71 to an energy source as well as for fixing or holding the resistive heating element 71 in place. The resistive heating element 71 may extend in a plane that is parallel to the inner side walls of the air channel that forms the convective heating chamber 73. It may be suspended in the convective heating chamber 73, for example in a floating arrangement only fixed by the electrical connection by the connection pins 76. This may provide a high ratio between the heated surface of the resistive heating element 71 and the surrounding air volume in the gap 74, which may result in faster and more homogenous heat exchange to pre-heat the air before entering the aerosol-forming article 20. The resistive heating element 71 may be placed closely upstream of the air inlet 24 of the aerosol-forming article 20. The pre-heated air may therefore flow directly from the resistive heating element 71 into the aerosol-forming article 20 and come into contact with the substrate 23 heated by heating element 6, 7. However, the resistive heating element 71 may be a standalone heater and may be spaced from the two heating elements 6, 7, for example may be arranged upstream of the heating elements 6, 7. Also, the resistive heating element 71 is completely surrounded by air (except for its electrical contacts), whereas the heating elements 6, 7 contact the aerosol-forming article 20. This configuration may be beneficial in terms of thermal inertia and the resistive heating element 71 may be heated in a faster. Also, the side walls of the convective heating chamber 73 that form the air gaps 74 may not be heated, to avoid power losses when heating the side walls that may act as a heat sink.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 44, the planar extension of the resistive heating element 71 may be in parallel with a planar extension of the flat aerosol-forming article 20 and substrate 23, with an air flow in-axis along a direction of longitudinal extension of the body of the device. However, other planar orientations of the resistive heating element 71 are also possible.

The resistive heating element 71 may be configured for flash heating. This may mean that the resistive heating element 71 may only be heated during a puff, i.e. the heating element 71 is powered during a time period when the puff is being taken, for example as detected by the puff sensor 78. The resistive heating element 71 is not continuously heated, which saves energy and increases efficiency. Also, there may be less deposits in the heating chamber 30 when only preheating the air during puffs, which in turn simplifies cleaning.

Flash heating also implies quick heating, i.e. low thermal inertia, to guarantee a fast temperature rise at the heating element 71. Preferably, an operational heating temperature is reached after less than 100 ms after puff detection, more preferably after 50 ms.

Especially when using a flat aerosol-forming article 20 as in the present disclosure, the bigger to-be-heated surface compared to a cylindrical consumable may result in deliveries such as nicotine taking longer. A device with a resistive heating element 71 that pre-heats the air entering the consumable may mitigate this effect, for example allowing to quickly reach a predefined temperature, and guaranteeing a full experience from the first puff.

The resistive heating element 71 may therefore be configured to be heated up, for example up to 120 °C, in less than 50 ms to 100 ms. It may also be configured to be heated from 120 °C to 250 °C in less than 1000 ms, for example in less than 750 ms or in less than 500 ms. The energy used for heating the resistive heating element 71 per puff may be between 5 J/puff and 20 J/puff, for example between 7.5 J/puff and 15 J/puff or between 9 J/puff and 12 J/puff, for example 10 J/puff. The resistive heating element 71 may be made from stainless steel. Alternative example materials may comprise ceramic and polymers. The branches of the resistive heating element 71 may, for example, have a thickness of from 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm, for example from 0.12 mm to 0.18 mm, for example of 0.15 mm. They may be produced by bending and/or cutting from a plate or sheet. The length of the resistive heating element 71 and the width of the single branches may be chosen accordingly to fulfil the mentioned requirements.

Figure 45 shows alternative embodiments of the shape of the resistive heating element 71. They may all be formed from a metal strip which is cut or bent to give an optimum compromise between the heater mass, the heater surface in contact with the air, and costs and simplicity of manufacturing. In order to increase the reactivity of the resistive heating element 71 , i.e. how fast the heat is transferred to the air, it may be beneficial to have a resistive heating element 71 with the lowest thermal inertia, which may be achieved from minimizing volume and/or metal strip or branch thickness. This parameter may enable the flash heating as explained herein. Additionally, it may be beneficial to increase the surface and/or volume of air in contact with the resistive heating element 71 , which increases how much heat is transferred and thereby leads to increased heating efficiency. The shape of the metal strip my be chosen to guarantee the desired temperature. For example, the resistance of the resistive heating element 71 may be measured to control the target temperature.

The resistive heating element 71 may be configured with or comprise flat branches or tracks, arranged in parallel to each other, wherein the branches may all lie in the same plane. Different patterns formed by the branches may be possible. Alternatively, the resistive heating element 71 may be configured as a spiral or helix, with the branches constituting the loops of the helix. The airflow direction of the air flowing through the convective heating chamber 73 may be parallel or orthogonal to the branches. It may also be parallel or orthogonal to the plane of the branches. In the case of a helix, the airflow direction of the air flowing through the convective heating chamber 73 may be directed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the helix or may be orthogonal thereto. While helix shaped resistive heating elements 71 may show superior performance, the performance of the flat resistive heating elements 71 is also good, and this may be outweighed by their easy manufacture and low cost. Other embodiments may also be possible, for example “3D heaters”, for example comprising or made of filaments.

Another embodiment of a resistive heating element 71 is shown in Figure 46. The resistive heating element 71 may be made from or comprise a bent strip, for example a metal strip, for example made from stainless steel. The strip may be bent into several parallel undulating or serpentine branches, the undulating or serpentine branches connecting the two connection pins 76. The branches or undulations may be in a stacked arrangement spanning between the two connection pins 76. The strip may comprise a plurality of perforations and/or recesses, for example at least one perforation and/or recess per branch, but there may also be a plurality of perforations and/or recesses provided per branch. The strip may have a mesh structure. The perforations and/or recesses defining the mesh may be configured so that air may pass through the perforations and/or recesses in a direction perpendicular to the branches, particularly in the straight section connecting two curves or bends in the undulating or serpentine arrangement of the branches. In other words, air may pass through the branches in the stacking direction of the branches. A possible direction of the airflow 77 through this resistive heating element 71 is shown by the arrows in Figure 47. As shown, this embodiment may be used in arrangements of the aerosol-forming device 1 in which the airflow travels through the convective heater assembly 70 in a lateral direction of the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device 1.

Figure 48 shows another variant of the resistive heating element 71 in which the strip comprises less perforations. Nevertheless, the perforations or holes in the strip enable the airflow to pass through the stack of undulating branches of the strip.

The resistive heating elements 71 according to Figures 46, 47 and 48 may combine the increased heat transfer capabilities of helix or spiral shaped resistive heating elements 71 with the ease of production of the flat heaters. Figure 49 shows the arrangement of the resistive heating element 71 in the aerosol-forming device 1 , more specifically in the convective heating chamber 73. The airflow may enter the convective heating chamber 73 from the sides, i.e. laterally outward of the longitudinal axis, and flows to the middle of the device 1 , i.e. laterally inward towards the longitudinal axis. In the middle of the device 1 , the airflow may then turn around by about 90° and enter the aerosol-forming article 20 through the fluidic interconnection element 82. The air repeatedly passes through the perforations of the resistive heating element 71 , ensuring a high heat transfer enabling flash heating.

Figure 49a shows a convective heater assembly 70 with a flat or substantially flat resistive heating element 71. In use, the resistive heating element 71 may be heated up to heat the air passing through the gaps 74. However, as the convective heater casing 72 is not heated and the uniform shape of the gaps 74 may lead to a laminar or mostly laminar flow inside the gaps 74, a temperature gradient may arise in the air in the gaps 74. In other words, the air in the gaps 74 may be cooled from the convective heater casing 72 side as shown by arrows A9 and heated from the resistive heating element 71 side as shown by arrows A10.

In contrast, Figure 49b shows a convective heater assembly 70 with a 3D structured resistive heating element 71 , as shown for example in a spiral, helix or zig-zag shape. In these embodiments, the air in the convective heating chamber 73 may be in a turbulent flow induced by the structure of the resistive heating element 71 , which may lead to the air being more closely and more often in close contact with the resistive heating element 71. Therefore, a temperature gradient and a laminar flow may be avoided, which may both lead to more efficient and faster heating of the air.

In the embodiments shown, the main flow direction of the air may be transversal to the longitudinal extension of the device body 800. Basically, there may be two airflow paths from opposite sides of the body towards the center, the air passing from the two opposing sides past the resistive heating element 71 , either formed by two serpentine paths or by two coil or strip sections. While embodiments with flat branches may form two planar gaps where the air may be passed to the center axis of the device 1 , the embodiments with the coil-shaped resistive heating element 71 may have tubular-shaped air channels leading to the inlet of the aerosol-forming article 20. However, the same dimensions may apply. The embodiment with the meshed strip may use a convective heating chamber 73 that closely encloses the resistive heating element 71 so that as much air as possible flows through the perforations and/or recesses defining the mesh.

As mentioned, for the flash heating of the resistive heating element 71 , a puff sensor 78 may be placed in proximity of the convective heating chamber 73 to promptly detect the puff of the user. As shown in Figure 12, the puff sensor 78 may be arranged in fluid communication with the airflow path, particularly the airflow path portion that is directly upstream of the resistive heating element 71 , to guarantee a reliable flash heating.

To ensure an optimum heat exchange between the resistive heating element 71 and the air, measures may be implemented to increase the turbulence of the incoming air entering the convective heating chamber 73. For example, a patterned or rough surface may be introduced. The patterned or rough surface may be arranged on the external surface 71a, 71b of the resistive heating element 71 (see Figure 50) and/or on the internal walls 72a, 72b of the convective heater casing 72 or the convective heating chamber 73 (see Figure 51). The patterned or rough surface may be configured to make the flow pattern of the air, flowing through the gap 74, irregular. This results in turbulences in the air flow, starting from a laminar boundary layer, then flowing through a transition region and finally generating a turbulent flow, as shown in the diagrams to the right. The turbulences increase heat exchange with the resistive heating element 71. The patterned or rough surface may be obtained during the injection molding, for example.

Optionally, a material of the internal walls 72a, 72b of the convective heater casing 72 may have a low or very low thermal conductivity, for example to avoid them acting as a heat sink and storing heat, which could act against the flash heating operation, due to an increase of the thermal mass.

The resistive heating element 71 may have a length measured in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device 1 and/or parallel to the flow direction of the airflow through the convective heating chamber 73 of between 3 mm and 11 mm, for example between 4 mm and 10 mm or between 5 mm and 9 mm or between 6 mm and 8 mm, for example 7 mm. As this may be relatively short, the geometry of the whole convective heater assembly 70 and in particular the gap 74 play a major role in successfully preheating the air.

The convective heater assembly 70 may also comprise one or more temperature sensors TS, TC, Tl, TM, TA (see Figures 51a to 51e) that are configured to measure a temperature of the resistive heating element 71 of the convective heater assembly 70, or at least provide for data that is indicative of the actual temperature of the resistive heating element 71 . This signal or data can be provided to a controller 5 or data processor 17 of the aerosol-forming device 1 , and can be used to perform a closed-loop temperature control of the temperature of convective heater assembly 70. Temperature sensors as shown and described in view of Figures 51a to 51 e may be similar in function and/or build to temperature sensors TS, TC, Tl, TM, Til shown and described in view of Figures 24a to 24f. As already generally stated herein, the features of the temperature sensors shown and described in view of Figures 24a to 24f are also applicable to the ones of Figures 51a to 51 e and vice versa.

For example, a contact-based temperature sensor TS can be arranged to contact a surface of the resistive heating element 71 to measure a temperature thereof. This example is shown in Figure 51a. The contact-based temperature sensor TS is preferably small in size, having a small thermal capacity or thermal mass, and able to detect rapid changes of temperature. Given that the convective heater assembly 70 can be powered solely when a puff is being taken, and needs to heat up rapidly, e.g. to 100°C or more in less than 100 ms, preferably less than 50 ms upon detection of a puff, for accurate temperature control, the temperature sensor needs to have a short settling time for measurements. For example, the temperature sensor TS should be able to measure temperature changes of more than 100°C during 10 ms or less. In addition, it is preferably that the temperature sensor does not add any or very little thermal mass to the resistive heating element 71 , to avoid impacting the desired rapid heat-up time. In this respect, the contactbased temperature sensor could be implemented as a thermocouple.

As another example, shown in Figure 51b, the temperature sensor can be made by a noncontact temperature sensor TC, for example an optical sensor. This can include but is not limited to an infrared sensor, where an infrared detector can read data of the infrared and therefore heat radiation of the surface of the resistive heating element 71. This can also include a time-of-f light optical sensor where the time of flight can be altered by variations of the temperature of the resistive heating element 71. Other non-contact temperature sensors are also possible. For example, the non-contact temperature sensor can be embedded into the wall of the convective heater casing 72, allowing to capture IR light, reflected light, or other radiation from the surface of resistive heating element 71. The non-contact temperature sensor TC arrangement presents the advantage of not in any way thermally interfering with the heater assembly 70, so not being in thermal contact therewith. Also, non-contact temperature sensors TC can have short settling times thereby able to provide for fast measurements of the actual temperature of the heating element 71.

As yet another example, the temperature sensor Tl can be made as an integral part of the resistive heating element 71 , as shown in Figure 51c. For example, the electrically conductive material of the resistive heating element can be made to have a resistivity that changes with the temperature to form a resistance temperature detector (RTD), for example a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) or a negative temperature coefficient (NTC). This allows to simultaneously power the heating element 71 with a voltage, and for example by measuring the current, deduct the current temperature of the heating element.

As still another example, shown in Figure 51d, the resistive heating element 71 can be made to have a functional layer FL to allow for temperature sensing. For example, it would be possible to add one or more thin layers to the resistive heating element 71 , having a specific Curie temperature, for example but not limited to a Nickel layer. During magnetization by an external coil, it would be possible to detect the Curie temperature as the magnetization properties would change. Thereby, a stimulation coil SC and the functional layer FL together could form a type of non-contact magnetization temperature sensor TM. Such magnetization temperature sensor TM could apply an alternating voltage with a power module PM to coil SC and to the functional layers FL and analyze the response by control ler/processor 5, 17, to detect one or more predetermined Curie temperatures.

Moreover, the convective heater assembly 70 may also comprise one or more temperature sensors TA that are configured to measure a temperature of the air after being heated by the resistive heating element 71 of the convective heater assembly 70, or at least provide for data that is indicative of the actual temperature of the air after being heated by resistive heating element 71. An example is shown in Figure 51 e. This can be implemented together or without the temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the heater itself, i.e. any of the previously discussed temperature sensors. This signal or data can be provided to a controller 5 or data processor 17 of the aerosol-generating device 1 , and can be used to perform a closed-loop temperature control of the temperature of convective heater assembly 70, to allow for a temperature control of the air that enters the article 20.

For example, the temperature sensor TA can include a thermal mass flow meter. This would also allow to combinate the functionality of puff detection and air temperature measurement in one sensor. As another variant, a special thermocouple structure that acts as low-volume high surface heat exchanger can be used, permitting to measure quick temperature changes to the air that passes or has passed through the resistive heating element 71. For example, the thermocouple structure can be embodied as a flat thin plate, baffle, thin wire, coil made of a thin wire or other structure that can be exposed to the airflow to capture the temperature of the air, and having a very low thermal mass.

As outlined, the fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 may seal the air inlet 24 and the air outlet 25 of the aerosol-forming article 20. However, during use of the aerosol-forming device 1 , there may be some dimensional changes of different parts, for example the aerosol-forming article 20, due to heat deformation. Also, the aerosol-forming articles 20 may have slightly different dimensions due to manufacturing tolerances and/or expansion or shrinkage due to different moisture levels in the surrounding air. The aerosol-forming articles 20 may also shrink during a usage session. Therefore, some more flexibility may be necessary to ensure the continued airtight sealing of the airflow path in the aerosol-forming device 1.

In some embodiments, this increased flexibility may be achieved by providing an elastic member or spring to bias at least one element of the device. A spring or biasing mechanism may be configured to exert a force that urges and/or presses the upstream air inlet 24, the aerosolforming article 20, and the downstream aerosol outlet 25 together, when the aerosol-forming device 1 is in a closed or use position (e.g., when the mouthpiece is closed or moved towards the body of the device). By this compressive force, a more reliable air flow path through the aerosolforming article 20 may be provided. Additionally, any leakage of the airflow path may be reduced or prevented, despite variances in the dimensions of the article 20. Also, the sealing by fluidic interconnection elements 81 , 82 will become more robust with the device 1 being subject to movements, accelerations, or vibrations.

For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 52 and 53, an elastic element, for example a spring 90 may be placed upstream the convective heater assembly 70, which may be connected to the main heating module 34 comprising the heating chamber 30. At the other end, the spring 90 may be held with a spring holding device 92 that does not move relative to the body of the aerosol-forming device 1. Also, the main heating module 34 and the convective heating assembly 70 may be movably and/or slidably arranged inside the device body 800 of the aerosolforming device 1 . The spring 90 may spring load or bias all the heaters, meaning both the heating module 34 comprising the heating elements 6, 7 as well as the convective heater assembly 70 comprising the resistive heating element 71 during the closure of the device 1. During the closing of the aerosol-forming device 1 , for example by sliding the mouthpiece 901 or the mouthpiece portion 900 towards the device body 800 of the aerosol-forming device 1 , the heater module 34 as well as the convective heating assembly 70 may be moved backwards towards the spring holding device 92 which may compress the spring 90 (see the two views shown in Figure 53). When the device 1 is closed or in the closed or use position, the spring 90 may therefore compensate any potential mechanical tolerances of the system, for example in terms of dimensional variations of the aerosol-forming article 20, along the longitudinal axis of extension of the aerosol-forming device 1. This may allow to preserve better and more predictable airflow sealing. Airflow or aerosol leakage could lead to a change in resistance-to-draw (RTD) that is not desirable to a user, but could also lead to a change in the aerosol composition outside of the desired ranges, which in turn could lead to increased HPHC in the aerosol. In addition, a leakage of aerosol could lead to deposits and clogging of the airflow paths and the heating system that could reduce a usable lifespan of the aerosol-forming device 1.

Given that both the upstream and downstream sealing members 81 , 82 that provide for a fluidic interconnection with the article 20 may be arranged in-axis with the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device 1 and/or the aerosol-forming article 20, the pressing of the spring 90 may act in the same direction and can increase and retain the engagement force of each sealing member 81 , 82 relative to the aerosol-forming article 20. Also, as the upstream airflow through the aerosol-forming device 1 may enter from the inlets arranged at the interface between the mouthpiece 901 and the device body 800, and may thereafter flow through the heating chamber 30, no obstruction or other mechanical complication impacts the flow path upon the spring-induced motion.

Another effect of the spring-loaded mechanism may be to incentivize the cleaning of the heating chamber 30. When the mouthpiece portion 900 is closed, the spring 90 may be compressed. However, once the mouthpiece portion 900 is open, the spring may release its energy, thereby pushing the heating module 34 and also the heating chamber 30 outwardly. In this configuration, the heating chamber 30 or consumable cavity is more accessible for a potential cleaning via accessories (see Figure 54), or also for potential removal by pulling heating chamber form the body 800. The heating chamber 30 may be at least partially pushed out of the body of the aerosol-forming device 1 , and upon insertion of an article 20 and the arrangement of the mouthpiece 901 in the operating or use position, the heating chamber 30 is fully pushed back into the device body 800 again. The spring 90 may push on a center end wall 89 of the heating chamber and/or heating module 34. The center end wall 89 may be fixed to the rest of the heating module 34 and/or heating chamber 30, meaning that the whole heating module 34 and/or heating chamber 30 along with the heating elements 6, 7 may be moved by the movement or displacement of the center end wall 89 by the spring 90.

Another embodiment is shown in Figure 58. As shown, the heater module 34 and particularly the heating chamber 30 may be fixedly arranged relative to the device body 800, and only a backplate or movable back part or distal end portion 93 of the heating chamber 30 with the air inlet 24 may be movable and spring-biased relative to the body, to urge the inlet port 24 with the sealing member 82 against the consumable article 20, when it is inserted. In this case, the distal end portion 93 of the heating chamber 30 or heating module 34 moved in relation to the heating elements 6, 7, for example. An additional or alternative spring mechanism may be arranged on the mouthpiece portion 900 as shown in Figures 55 and 56. As before, a spring 90 or spring mechanism may have the function of compensating all potential mechanical tolerances of the system, specifically in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device 1 , when the aerosol-forming device 1 is closed. This may be parallel to the airflow direction, for example in the fourth, the fifth and the sixth airflow path portions 43, 44, 45, as shown in Figure 56. In this case, however, the spring 90 or spring mechanism may be placed in the mouthpiece portion 900 and not within the device body 800, specifically behind the heating chamber 30 as in the previous embodiment.

The mouthpiece portion 900 may comprise a mouthpiece 901 and a spring 90 or spring component, which may be made of an elastomeric material which may provide the elasticity and the spring loading or biasing required to absorb potential mechanical tolerances. The spring 90 may be placed upstream of the heating chamber 30 in the mouthpiece 901 . It may, for example, be arranged upstream of and/or on the fluidic interconnection element 81 , for example, the spring 90 may be placed between the mouthpiece 901 and the fluidic interconnection element 81 so that the mouthpiece 901 and the fluidic interconnection element 81 are exclusively connected and/or distanced from each other through the spring 90. See also Figures 36 and 37. By compression of the spring 90, therefore, the fluidic interconnection element 81 may move relative to the mouthpiece 901 , thereby compensating tolerances. The spring 90 may have an annular shape and may be arranged around the whole circumference of the airflow path and/or the fluidic interconnection element 81. The spring 90 may bias or spring load the fluidic interconnection element 81 in the direction of the aerosol-forming article 20 and/or the heating chamber 30. A sealing component comprising the fluidic interconnection element 81 may be provided, which may be configured to penetrate the consumable 20 when the device 1 is in the closed or use configuration. The fluidic interconnection element 81 may be made of a hard polymeric material, for example PEEK, PAEK, PEI and/or metal, as already mentioned, which may be a harder material compared to the elastomeric spring 90. This may ensure a proper penetration of the fluidic interconnection element 81 into the frame 21 of the aerosol-forming article 20 around the aerosol outlet 25 and a proper sealing action.

In Figure 57 a schematization of this embodiment is shown, wherein the elastomeric spring 90 is replaced by a generic spring means, which may for example be a memory shape metal or alloy or a laminated spring, a leaf spring, a gas spring, a disc spring or a coil spring. However, any suitable type of spring 90 may be used. The embodiments comprising the spring 90 at the heating chamber 30 and at the mouthpiece portion 900 may be used in isolation or in combination with each other, to have a spring biasing from both sides along the longitudinal axis of extension of the aerosol-forming device 1. In other words, the aerosol-forming device 1 may comprise the spring 90 at the heating chamber 30 only or may comprise the spring 90 at the mouthpiece portion 900 only or may comprise both the spring 90 at the heating chamber 30 and another spring 90 at the mouthpiece portion 900.

Figures 59 to 63 show features of the aerosol-forming device 1 pertaining to the movement of the mouthpiece 901 and/or mouthpiece portion 900 and the insertion of the aerosol-forming article 20 into the heating chamber 30 as well as its extraction after the usage session is completed. The device body 800 may be a first housing part and may comprise the heating chamber 30. The mouthpiece portion 900 may be a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part. Figure 59 shows an overview of the aerosol-forming system 4 comprising a companion device 3 (on the left) and an aerosol-forming device 1. The latter is shown on the right in a front view and a side view. The aerosol-forming device 1 comprises a device body 800 and a mouthpiece portion 900, the mouthpiece portion 900 comprising a mouthpiece 901 (see Figure 61), which may be retractable inside the mouthpiece portion 900. For this purpose, there may be provided a slider 39 or sliding knob, which may be actuated manually by a user for moving the mouthpiece 901 between a retracted position in the mouthpiece portion 900 and an protruding or use position, in which the mouthpiece 901 protrudes from the casing and is accessible for a user to inhale aerosol from. The actuation of the slider 39 may comprise a sliding motion, for example a linear sliding motion, which may be translated to the motion of the mouthpiece 901 between the retracted position and the protruding or use position. The mouthpiece portion 900 itself may also be movable between an opened or loading position and a closed or usage position, which will be apparent from the following Figures. In Figure 59, the mouthpiece portion 900 is in the closed or usage position in which the aerosol-forming device 1 may be used to generate aerosol.

Figure 60 shows the aerosol-forming device 1 in two perspective views. The mouthpiece portion 900 has been moved into an opened or loading position by sliding the mouthpiece portion

901 and a sliding frame 28, which may also be referred to as the second slide means, out of and/or away from the device body 800. The mouthpiece portion 900 may be connected to the device body 800 by the sliding frame 28. In the closed or usage position of the device 1 , the sliding frame 28 may be arranged or positioned in a sliding mount 33, which may also be referred to as first slide means. The sliding frame 28 may be movably, for example slidably, attached to the sliding mount 33 in a away that enables the sliding frame 28 and the mouthpiece portion 900 to be moved or slid relative to the device body 800 and/or the sliding mount 33, thereby enabling the adjustment of the device 1 between the opened or loading position and the closed or usage position.

For example, as shown in Figure 60, the user may slide mouthpiece portion 900 into the opened or loading position by moving the mouthpiece portion 900 away from the device body 800 in the direction of arrow A1. In the opened position, both an entrance to the heating chamber 30 (see left view in Figure 60) and a recess 902 in the mouthpiece portion 900 may be accessible for the user from the outside. The user may therefore at least partly insert an aerosol-forming article 20 into the heating chamber 30 in the direction of arrow A2. Alternatively, the user may also at least partly insert the aerosol-forming article 20 into the recess 902 in the mouthpiece portion 900. As shown in the right hand view of Figure 60, the user may then move the mouthpiece portion 900 in the direction of arrow A2 to adjust the device 1 from the opened position into the closed position. By closing the aerosol-forming device 1 , the aerosol-forming article 20 is fully enclosed by the heating chamber 30 and the recess 902. During the closing of the device 1 , either the mouthpiece portion 901 comprising the recess 902 is moved around the aerosol-forming article 20 (in case the user inserted the article 20 into the heating chamber 30) or the aerosolforming article 20 is inserted into the heating chamber 30 (in case the user inserted the article 20 into the recess 902). The aerosol-forming device 1 may then be activated to generate aerosol as described herein.

Figure 61 shows a cross-section through the mouthpiece portion 900 with an aerosolforming article 20 inserted into the recess 902. In the recess 902, there may be provided at least one fixation means 29, for example a clamping bracket, configured to press against the aerosolforming article 20 when it is inserted into the recess 902. As shown, there may be two opposite fixation means 29 in the recess 902, which may clamp the aerosol-forming article 20 between them. The clamping is configured to secure or hold the aerosol-forming article 20 in the recess 902. For this, the fixation means 29 may be shaped and configured to be elastically deformed or displaced when the aerosol-forming article 20 is inserted into the recess 902. The counterforce exerted by the fixation means 29 may then lead to the clamping of the aerosol-forming article 20. The recess 902 and the fixation means 29 are also shown in Figure 62.

As shown in Figure 63, when the user opens the aerosol-forming device 1 after a usage session by sliding the mouthpiece portion 900 into the opened or loading position in the direction of arrow A1 , the clamping of the aerosol-forming article 20 by the fixation means 29 may be configured and/or lead to the extraction of the aerosol-forming article 20 from the heating chamber 30. In other words, the aerosol-forming article 20 may be clamped by the fixation means 29 with a bigger force than the forces retaining the aerosol-forming article 20 in the heating chamber 30, for example friction, the penetration by the bottom fluidic interconnection element 82 and the forces exerted onto the aerosol-forming article 20 by the heating elements 6, 7. This leads to the aerosol-forming article 20 being pulled out of the heating chamber 30 by the fixation means 29 when the device 1 is opened after a usage session. The user may then easily remove the spent or depleted aerosol-forming article 20 from the device 1 by removing it from the recess 902.

To further simplify the removal of a used aerosol-forming article 20 from the device 1 , there may be provided an ejection mechanism 49, as shown in Figure 61 . The ejection mechanism 49 may be connected to the mouthpiece 901 and an actuator, for example a slider 39 (see Figure 63). The slider 39 may be configured to be actuated or moved manually by the user, for example in a linear sliding motion. The movement of the slider 39 may be translated into the movement of the mouthpiece 901 between the retracted and the extended position. The ejection mechanism 49 may be configured to eject the aerosol-forming article 20 from the recess 902 and from the fixation means 29 whenever the mouthpiece 901 is moved from the extended position into the retracted position. For example, the ejection mechanism 49 may comprise a plunger which may be pressed against the aerosol-forming article 20 in a direction opposite the insertion direction of the aerosol-forming article 20 into the recess. In other words, the plunger may push the aerosolforming article 20 out of the recess. In general, the movement of the mouthpiece 901 between the retracted and the extended position and the function of the ejection mechanism 49 may be separate. However, the movement of the mouthpiece 901 from the extended to the retracted position and the ejection of the aerosol-forming article 20 may be actuated by only one movement of the user, i.e. the actuation of the slider 39.

As also shown in Figure 63, there may be provided a guide 38 or guide rail for the aerosolforming article 20, for example on the sliding frame 28. The guide 38 may be configured to support the aerosol-forming article 20 and may also be configured to fix the aerosol-forming article 20 in place, for example in a defined position on the sliding frame 28. The guide 38 may comprise a depression or recess for at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article 20. The depression or recess may be formed in accordance with the outer contour of the aerosol-forming article 20 as described herein. The guide 38 may also be configured to guide the aerosol-forming article 20 into the heating chamber 30. For this, either the entrance to the heating chamber 30 may be flush with the sliding frame 28 and/or the guide 38, or the guide 38 may comprise a ramp or slope which may be configured to guide the aerosol-forming article 20 into the heating chamber 30. The user may either push the aerosol-forming article 20 into the heating chamber 30 along the guide 38, or the guide 38 may push the aerosol-forming article 20 into the heating chamber 30 when the mouthpiece portion 900 is moved into the closed or use position.

Figure 64 shows an embodiment of the aerosol-forming system 4 comprising a companion device 3 and/or an aerosol-forming device 1. The aerosol-forming device 1 may comprise a mouthpiece portion 900 which may be rotatably or pivotably hinged to the device body 800. The device is shown from several directions in the three views on the right of the Figure. Reference is also made to Figures 26, 27, 28, 33, and 34.

The aerosol-forming device 1 may comprise an actuator 55 arranged in an actuator guide 56, for example a sliding actuator in a sliding guide rail. The actuator 55 may be connected to the mouthpiece portion 900 of the device 1 in a way that a movement of the actuator 55, for example a linear sliding movement along the actuator guide 56, is translated or transmitted into a rotation or pivoting movement of the mouthpiece portion 900 between the open or loading position and the closed or use position. The actuator 55 may be configured for manual actuation by a user, as shown in Figure 65. For example, the user may slide the actuator 55 downwards, i.e. in a direction away from the mouthpiece portion 900 (see arrow A4 in Figure 65), to open the device 1. The linear movement of the actuator 55 away from the mouthpiece portion 900 may be translated into a rotational movement of the mouthpiece portion 900 from the closed position to the open position. Conversely, the user may slide the actuator 55 upwards, i.e. in a direction towards the mouthpiece portion 900 (see arrow A6 in Figure 65), to close the device 1. The linear movement of the actuator 55 towards the mouthpiece portion 900 may be translated into a rotational movement of the mouthpiece portion 900 from the open position to the closed position. Of course, the movement directions of the actuator 55 and the mouthpiece portion 900 are simply examples and any other directions could be used for the movement of the actuator 55 and the thus actuated movement of the mouthpiece portion 900.

So, for example, the user may open the device 1 by sliding the actuator 55 downwards, which results in the mouthpiece portion 900 pivoting into the open position. The heating chamber 30 may then be accessible for inserting an aerosol-forming article 20, as shown by arrow A5 in Figure 65, and/or for removing a depleted aerosol-forming article 20. The user may then close the device 1 by sliding the actuator 55 upwards, which results in the mouthpiece portion 900 pivoting into the closed position. An experience or usage session may then be started.

A possible way of transmitting the movement of the actuator 55 to the mouthpiece portion 900 is shown in Figure 66. The mouthpiece portion 900 may be hinged to the device body 800 by a rotational joint. The rotational joint may comprise a gear 58. In turn, the actuator 55 may comprise or may be connected to a worm 57, the worm 57 being configured to mate or mesh with the gear 58. In this way, a linear upwards movement of the actuator 55 in the direction of arrow A6 may be translated into a rotational movement of the gear 58 and the mouthpiece portion 900 in the direction of arrow A8, for example for moving the mouthpiece portion 900 from the open position to the closed position. Conversely, a linear downwards movement of the actuator 55 in the direction of arrow A4 may be translated into a rotational movement of the gear 58 and the mouthpiece portion 900 in the direction of arrow A7, for example for moving the mouthpiece portion 900 from the closed position to the open position. Of course, the solution shown in Figure 66 is simply exemplary and any other mechanical link between the actuator 55 and the mouthpiece portion 900 may be used. For example, a cograil may be used instead of the worm 57.

Another aspect of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 67. The aerosol-forming device 1 may comprise a retractable mouthpiece 901. The mouthpiece 901 may be movable, for example slidable, between a protruding or usage position and a retracted or storage position. In the protruding or usage position, the mouthpiece 901 may protrude from the mouthpiece portion 900 as shown on the left of Figure 67. In this position, a user may use the mouthpiece 901 to inhale aerosol from the aerosol-forming device 1. In the retracted or storage position, the mouthpiece 901 may be retracted into the mouthpiece portion 900, as shown on the right of Figure 67. The mouthpiece 901 may be flush with the mouthpiece portion 900 in the storage position. The mouthpiece portion 900 may comprise a storage chamber 903, in which the mouthpiece portion 900 may be arranged, for example fully arranged, in the storage position. In the storage position, therefore, the mouthpiece 901 is not available for use by a user.

The aerosol-forming device 1 may comprise an actuator, for example a slider 39, which may be manually moved between a first and a second position by the user. The slider 39 may be connected to the mouthpiece 901 so that the movement of the slider 39 between the first and the second position is translated into the movement of the mouthpiece 901 between the protruding or usage position and the retracted or storage position. Therefore, the user may move the mouthpiece 901 into the protruding or usage position whenever they wish to use the aerosolforming device 1. Conversely, the user may move the mouthpiece 901 into the retracted or storage position whenever the aerosol-forming device 1 is not used. In this way, contamination of the mouthpiece 901 during times in which the device 1 is not used may be reduced.

To further increase the hygiene of the mouthpiece 901 , the mouthpiece 901 may be removably and/or replaceably connected to the mouthpiece portion 900. In other words, the mouthpiece 901 may be detachable from the mouthpiece portion 900, for example by being pulled out of the mouthpiece portion 900, and may then be replaced by a new mouthpiece 901 .

The mouthpiece portion 900 may comprise locking means for locking the mouthpiece 901 in the protruding or usage position and/or the retracted or storage position. The locking means may be configured that a minimum force is necessary to move the mouthpiece 901 out of the protruding or usage position and/or the retracted or storage position. In this way, user experience is increased by avoiding an inadvertent movement of the mouthpiece 901 during a usage session. Also, the mouthpiece 901 remains safely stored in the storage chamber 903 when it is not used. For example, the locking means may comprise at least one magnet.

As explained in detail herein, the airflow path through the mouthpiece portion 900 may comprise the nucleation chamber 87 and the air inlets 85 of the nucleation chamber 87. As shown in Figure 68, it may be provided that the mouthpiece 901 at least partly surrounds the nucleation chamber 87 and at least one air inlet 85 of the nucleation chamber 87 in the storage position. The mouthpiece 901 may be arranged in the air inlet 85 of the nucleation chamber 87 in the storage position, for example in a way that at least partly or fully closes the air inlet 85. For example, the air inlet 85 of the nucleation chamber 87 may be closed when the mouthpiece 901 is in the storage position. Conversely, the air inlet 85 of the nucleation chamber 87 may be open when the mouthpiece 901 is in the protruding or usage position. In other words, the mouthpiece 901 may be configured and/or arranged so that the air inlet 85, for example all air inlets 85, of the nucleation chamber 87 is/are closed when the mouthpiece 901 is in the storage position and so that the air inlet 85, for example all air inlets 85, of the nucleation chamber 87 is/are open when the mouthpiece 901 is in the protruding position.

To improve the sealing of the at least one air inlet 85, the mouthpiece 901 and/or the mouthpiece portion 900 may comprise a sealing member. The sealing member may be configured to establish an airtight seal between the mouthpiece 901 and the remaining parts of the mouthpiece portion 900. The sealing member may be configured to prevent air flowing into the airflow channel from other paths or leaks in the aerosol-forming device 1. Also, the sealing member may be configured to seal the air inlet 85, for example all air inlets 85, of the nucleation chamber 87 when the mouthpiece 901 is in the storage position. The sealing member may, for example, be or comprise a sealing ring, for example an elastomeric ring, for example an o-ring.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the locking function of the locking means as well as the sealing function of the sealing member may be combined into a single sealing and locking member 904. As shown in Figure 68, the mouthpiece portion 900 may comprise a sealing and locking member 904, which may be, for example, an elastomeric ring, for example an o-ring. The sealing and locking member 904 may be attached to the mouthpiece 901 and may move with the mouthpiece 901 when the latter is moved between the storage position and the protruding position. Additionally, the mouthpiece portion 900 may comprise a counter member for the sealing and locking member 904. For example, the mouthpiece portion 900 may comprise a groove in the wall of the casing constituting the airflow path and/or the nucleation chamber 87. For example, the groove may be circular and surround the airflow path completely. The mouthpiece portion 900 may comprise a groove each for the retracted and the protruding position of the mouthpiece 901. When the mouthpiece 901 is moved into the retracted position, the sealing and locking member 904 may be arranged in the groove corresponding to the retracted position. When the mouthpiece 901 is moved into the protruding position, the sealing and locking member 904 may be arranged in the groove corresponding to the protruding position. The locking function may be achieved by the increased force necessary to elastically deform the sealing and locking member 904 when it is moved out of the respective groove. The sealing function may be achieved by the sealing and locking member 904 filling and therefore closing the gap between the mouthpiece 901 and the wall of the casing constituting the airflow path and/or the nucleation chamber 87.

As explained, there could be one sealing and locking member 904 being moved between two groves. Alternatively, there could also be two sealing and locking members 904, for example fixedly attached to the wall of the casing constituting the airflow path and/or the nucleation chamber 87 and one groove provided on the inside of the movable mouthpiece 901. In this arrangement, therefore, the groove may be moved between the sealing and locking members 904. As before, one sealing and locking member 904 may be provided for the storage position and one sealing and locking member 904 may be provided for the protruding position.

As shown in Figure 67, the mouthpiece portion 900 may be configured so that the aerosolforming article 20, when it is inserted into the heating chamber 30 and when the device 1 is closed, protrudes into the storage chamber 903. For example, when combined with the embodiment shown in Figures 59-63, this may result in the movable mouthpiece 901 being able to be used to eject the aerosol-forming article 20 from the recess 902 and the fixation means 29. By moving the mouthpiece 901 into the storage position, the aerosol-forming article 20 is ejected. Also, when the device is closed with an aerosol-forming article 20 inside, the aerosol-forming article 20 may be pushed into the storage chamber 903, which may in turn move the mouthpiece 901 out of the storage position and in the direction of the protruding position. The mouthpiece 901 may therefore at least partly be made ready for use simply by closing the aerosol-forming device 1 with an aerosol-forming article 20 inside.

Another aspect of the present disclosure pertaining to the embodiment with a retractable mouthpiece 901 is shown in Figures 69 and 70. Both Figures show an aerosol-forming system 4 comprising a companion device 3 and an aerosol-forming device 1. The aerosol-forming device 1 may be connected to the companion device 3, for example by at least partially inserting the aerosol-forming device 1 into the opening 14 of the companion device 3. Specifically, there may be a power connection 59 between the companion device 3 and the aerosol-forming device 1 which may enable power transfer from the energy storage 15 of the companion device 3 to the aerosol-forming device 1. Additionally, there may be a data connection, for example through the electrical connectors 12, 13 of the devices 1 , 3.

In the embodiment shown, the retractable mouthpiece 901 may be used to determine what the energy of the energy storage 15 of the companion device 3 is used for in the aerosol-forming device 1. For example, as shown in Figure 69, the companion device 3 may charge the energy storage 15 of the aerosol-forming device 1 while the mouthpiece 901 is in the storage position. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 70, the energy from the energy storage 15 of the companion device 3 may be used to heat the heating elements 6, 7 and the resistive heating element 71 of the convective heater assembly 70 during a usage session of the aerosol-forming device 1 while the mouthpiece 901 is in the protruding position. Therefore, the position of the mouthpiece 901 may determine whether the energy from the energy storage 15 of the companion device 3 is used to charge the energy storage 15 of the aerosol-forming device 1 or whether the energy from the energy storage 15 of the companion device 3 is directly used for a usage session. Using the aerosol-forming device 1 in a usage session while connected to the companion device 3 may be advantageous because of the energy storage 15 of the companion device 3 usually having a higher capacity than the one of the aerosol-forming device 1. Also, a usage session may be experienced in this way even if the energy storage 15 of the aerosol-forming device 1 is too depleted to provide one on its own. Therefore, instead of having to wait for the aerosol-forming device 1 to be recharged, the user may directly use the energy provided by the companion device 3.

To achieve this, the companion device 3 may comprise a position sensor 60, which may be configured to detect whether the mouthpiece 901 is in the retracted or storage position or the usage or protruding position. The position sensor 60 may provide a position signal 64, which may be indicative of the mouthpiece 901 being in the retracted or storage position or in the usage or protruding position. For example, the position signal 64 may be communicated to the control circuitry comprising the controller 5 of the companion device 3 and may also be communicated to the control circuitry comprising the controller 5 of the aerosol-forming device 1 through the data connection between the devices 1 , 3. The aerosol-forming device 1 may comprise a switch 69, and the control circuitry or the controller 5 of the aerosol-forming device 1 may be configured to use the switch 69 to redirect power from the energy storage 15 of the companion device 3 in accordance with the position signal 64. Therefore, the switch 69 may be used to direct power from the companion device 3 to the energy storage 15 of the aerosol-forming device 1 when the mouthpiece 901 is in the retracted or storage position. Conversely, the switch 69 may be used to direct power from the companion device 3 to the heating module 34, specifically the heating elements 6, 7, and the convective heating assembly 70 of the aerosol-forming device 1 when the mouthpiece 901 is in the protruding or usage position.

The position sensor 60 may be provided on or in the companion device 3 to save space in the smaller aerosol-forming device 1. However, the position sensor 60 may alternatively also be provided on or in the aerosol-forming device 1. In this case, the position signal 64 may be directly obtained at the aerosol-forming device 1 and does not need to be transferred from the companion device 3. However, the functionality provided may remain the same.

Additionally or alternatively, the position sensor 60 may be used to initiate heating, particularly of the heating module 34 comprising the heating elements 6, 7 and/or the convective heater assembly 70 when the mouthpiece is determined to be in or to have been moved into the usage position. In this way, the retractable mouthpiece 901 may be used by a user to initiate a usage session. This may also be done irrespective of whether the devices 1 , 3 are connected. In particular, this may also be done when the aerosol-forming device 1 is not connected to the companion device 3.

In the present disclosure, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” may pertain to the flow or flow direction of the air through the aerosol-forming device 1 in the airflow path or channel. An element A arranged upstream of an element B may be reached by the air sooner than element B. After passing by element A, the air may continue along the airflow path to element B. In this example, element B may be arranged downstream of element A. The term “proximal” may describe the position of an element and may mean that the element is located in the direction of or near the mouthpiece or the mouthpiece end of the device. The term “distal” may describe the position of an element and may mean that the element is located in the direction away from or at the device end located opposite the mouthpiece or the mouthpiece end of the device.

In the present disclosure, all values given for dimensions, for example height, length, width, thickness or others, may pertain to maximum values of the specific dimension or minimum values of the specific dimension. For example, the dimensions of the heating chamber may describe the minimum dimensions or the maximum dimensions available inside the heating chamber, for example influenced by any possible inserts, protrusions or recesses.

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 10% of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. An aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, the device comprising: a heating chamber for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, the heating chamber defining an insertion direction; and a convective air heater assembly arranged upstream of the heating chamber, the convective air heater including a resistive heater element extending therein, the convective air heater being in fluidic connection with the heating chamber, wherein the convective air heater assembly includes two air heating channels leading from each side of the aerosol-forming device to a central air channel, the central air channel leading fluidically to an air inlet of the aerosol-forming article, wherein the resistive heater element extends through the two air heating channels.

2. The aerosol-forming device according to claim 1 , wherein the resistive heater element includes a coil having a main coil axis that extends through the two air heating channels.

3. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein a plane defined by the heater element is perpendicular to the insertion direction.

4. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising: a back plate between the heating chamber and the convective air heater, the back plate including the central air channel.

5. The aerosol-forming device according to the previous claim, wherein the back plate further includes a blade structure around the central air channel, configured to cut or press into a wall around an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

6. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the back plate further includes two air inlet holes that are arranged upstream of the air heating channels, respectively, to fluidically connect with the respective one of air heating channels.

7. The aerosol-forming device of any one of the previous claims, wherein side walls forming the two air heating channels are not heated, and are made of a material with low thermal conductivity.

8. The aerosol-forming device of any one of the previous claims, wherein side walls forming the two air heating channels have a structured surface for causing an air flow turbulence.

9. The aerosol-forming device of any one of the previous claims, further comprising: two terminals for electrical interconnection of the convective air heater assembly with the aerosolforming device, the two terminals and the resistive heater element formed by a single sheet of metal.

10. The aerosol-forming device of any one of the previous claims, wherein the two air heating channels are arranged in an axis that is perpendicular or orthogonal to the insertion direction.

11. The aerosol-forming device of one of the previous claims, wherein the resistive heater element is formed from a single sheet of metal.

12. The aerosol-forming device of one of the previous claims, wherein the resistive heater element comprises at least one strip of a metal sheet, optionally wherein the strip of metal sheet is perforated and/or includes one or more perforation openings or holes.

13. The aerosol-forming device of any one of the previous claims, wherein the resistive heater element comprises at least one strip of a metal sheet, the at least one strip being bent or formed into a stack of a plurality of serpentine-like formed branches, preferably the branches of the stack spanning between the two terminals of the resistive heating element; and optionally wherein the stack extends along a stack direction perpendicular or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device.

14. The aerosol-forming device of any one of the previous claims, further comprising an aerosol-forming article or substrate, wherein the aerosol-forming device is configured to generate aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate.