阅读说明：本技术 具有管状支撑元件的气溶胶生成制品 (Aerosol-generating article with tubular support element ) 是由 S·帕帕基里罗 于 2020-03-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种气溶胶生成制品(10),其具有在上游端和下游端之间延伸的纵向方向(20)。气溶胶生成制品(10)包括在气溶胶生成制品(10)的上游端处的气溶胶形成基材的芯棒(12),以及紧邻气溶胶形成基材的芯棒(12)的下游定位的中空管状支撑元件(14)。气溶胶生成制品(10)还包括在气溶胶生成制品(10)的下游端处并紧邻中空管状支撑元件(14)的下游定位的过滤嘴段(16)。在纵向方向(20)上中空管状支撑元件(14)的长度(26)与气溶胶生成制品(10)的长度(22)的比率介于0.3:1和0.5:1之间。气溶胶形成基材的芯棒(12)的长度(24)与中空管状支撑元件(14)的长度(26)的比率介于0.5:1和0.8:1之间。(An aerosol-generating article (10) is provided having a longitudinal direction (20) extending between an upstream end and a downstream end. The aerosol-generating article (10) comprises a plug (12) of aerosol-forming substrate at an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article (10), and a hollow tubular support element (14) located immediately downstream of the plug (12) of aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article (10) further comprises a filter segment (16) located at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article (10) and immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element (14). The ratio of the length (26) of the hollow tubular support element (14) to the length (22) of the aerosol-generating article (10) in the longitudinal direction (20) is between 0.3:1 and 0.5: 1. The ratio of the length (24) of the plug (12) of aerosol-forming substrate to the length (26) of the hollow tubular support element (14) is between 0.5:1 and 0.8: 1.)

1. An aerosol-generating article having an upstream end and a downstream end, the aerosol-generating article defining a longitudinal direction extending between the upstream end and the downstream end, the aerosol-generating article comprising:

a plug of aerosol-forming substrate at the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article;

a hollow tubular support element positioned immediately downstream of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate; and

a filter segment positioned at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article and immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element;

wherein the aerosol-generating article has a length extending in the longitudinal direction between the upstream end and the downstream end;

wherein the plug of aerosol-forming substrate has a length extending in the longitudinal direction between a first end of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate and a second end of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate;

wherein the hollow tubular support element has a length extending in the longitudinal direction between a first end of the hollow tubular support element and a second end of the hollow tubular support element;

wherein the ratio of the length of the hollow tubular support element to the length of the aerosol-generating article is between 0.3:1 and 0.5: 1; and is

Wherein the ratio of the length of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate to the length of the hollow tubular support element is between 0.5:1 and 0.8: 1.

2. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the hollow tubular support element is between 14 and 22 millimetres in length.

3. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate is between 11 millimetres and 19 millimetres.

4. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter segment has a length extending in the longitudinal direction between a first end of the filter segment and a second end of the filter segment of between 11 millimetres and 13 millimetres.

5. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of the aerosol-generating article is between 40 mm and 50 mm.

6. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the hollow tubular support element comprises a polymer, preferably at least one of polylactic acid, cellulose acetate, starch and polyhydroxyalkanoate.

7. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the hollow tubular support element has an outer diameter of between 6 millimetres and 8 millimetres.

8. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the hollow tubular support element comprises a peripheral wall defining the tubular shape of the hollow tubular support element, the peripheral wall having a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

9. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the hollow tubular support element comprises:

a peripheral wall defining the tubular shape of the hollow tubular support element, the peripheral wall defining an interior volume; and

a radial structure extending radially within the interior volume from at least a first point on the peripheral wall to at least a second point on the peripheral wall such that at least two airflow passages are defined by the peripheral wall and the radial structure, the at least two airflow passages extending in the longitudinal direction.

10. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 9, wherein the radial structure is cross-shaped in cross-sectional shape such that the peripheral wall and the radial structure define four airflow channels extending in the longitudinal direction.

11. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first end of the hollow tubular support element is located immediately downstream of a mandrel of the aerosol-forming substrate, and wherein the radial structure is shaped to define a recess at the first end of the hollow tubular support element, the recess extending into the interior volume defined by the peripheral wall.

12. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, further comprising an outer wrapper wrapped around the plug of aerosol-forming substrate, the hollow tubular support element and the filter segment.

13. An aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-generating system comprising:

an aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim; and

an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity arranged to receive at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article and a heater positioned to heat a mandrel of the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

14. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 13, wherein the heater is positioned within the cavity and arranged for insertion into a plug of the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article having a hollow tubular support element located immediately downstream of a mandrel of an aerosol-forming substrate and a filter segment located immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element.

Background

Aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, is heated rather than combusted are known in the art. Typically, in such heated smoking articles, an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-forming substrate or material, which may be positioned in contact with the heat source, either internally, around or downstream of the heat source. During use of the aerosol-generating article, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and entrained in air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compound cools, the compound condenses to form an aerosol.

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

It is common to include one or more add-on elements in an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the add-on elements being assembled in the same wrapper as the substrate. Examples of such additional elements include a mouthpiece filtering section, a support element adapted to impart structural strength to the aerosol-generating article, a cooling element adapted to cool the aerosol before it reaches the mouthpiece, and the like. However, although such additional elements may have several advantageous effects, their inclusion in aerosol-generating articles generally complicates the overall structure of the article and makes its manufacture more complex and less cost-effective.

It is desirable to provide aerosol-generating articles that are simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture, without reducing the functionality of the aerosol-generating article.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have an upstream end and a downstream end, the aerosol-generating article defining a longitudinal direction extending between the upstream end and the downstream end. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a plug of aerosol-forming substrate at an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article, and a hollow tubular support element positioned immediately downstream of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a filter segment positioned at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article and immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element. The aerosol-generating article may have a length extending in the longitudinal direction between the upstream end and the downstream end. The hollow tubular support element may have a length extending in the longitudinal direction between the first end of the hollow tubular support element and the second end of the hollow tubular support element. The ratio of the length of the hollow tubular support element to the length of the aerosol-generating article may be between about 0.3:1 and about 0.5: 1.

Preferably, the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article having an upstream end and a downstream end, the aerosol-generating article defining a longitudinal direction extending between the upstream end and the downstream end, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a plug of aerosol-forming substrate at an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article; a hollow tubular support element positioned immediately downstream of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate; and a filter segment located at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article and immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element; wherein the aerosol-generating article has a length extending in the longitudinal direction between an upstream end and a downstream end; wherein the hollow tubular support element has a length extending in the longitudinal direction between the first end of the hollow tubular support element and the second end of the hollow tubular support element; and wherein the ratio of the length of the hollow tubular support element to the length of the aerosol-generating article is between 0.3:1 and 0.5: 1.

The term "aerosol-generating article" is used herein to describe an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate which can be heated to generate an aerosol and deliver it to a consumer. As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" refers to a substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating to generate an aerosol. During use, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer and entrained in air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compound cools, the compound condenses to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer.

As used herein, the term "hollow tubular support element" means an elongated element defining a lumen or airflow channel along its longitudinal axis. In the context of the present specification, the term "tubular" is intended to cover any tubular element having a substantially cylindrical cross-section, which defines at least one gas flow channel establishing fluid communication between an upstream end of the tubular element and a downstream end of the tubular element.

As used herein, the term "longitudinal" refers to a direction corresponding to the major longitudinal axis of an aerosol-generating article, which direction extends between an upstream end and a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" describe the relative position of an element or portion of an element of an aerosol-generating article with respect to the direction in which an aerosol is conveyed through the aerosol-generating article during use.

During use, air is drawn through the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. The terms "transverse" and "radial" refer to directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Any reference to a "cross-section" of an aerosol-generating article or a component of an aerosol-generating article refers to a transverse cross-section, unless otherwise specified.

Advantageously, the aerosol-generating article according to the invention comprises a hollow tubular support element positioned immediately downstream of the mandrel of the aerosol-forming substrate and a filter segment positioned immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element. In other words, the hollow tubular support element extends between the plug of aerosol-forming substrate and the filter segment. Advantageously, this simplifies the construction of the aerosol-generating article when compared to known articles in which a plurality of elements are positioned between the aerosol-forming substrate and the filter segment. Advantageously, the simplified construction facilitates a simple and cost-effective manufacturing process.

Advantageously, the aerosol-generating article according to the invention comprises a hollow tubular support element, wherein the ratio of the length of the hollow tubular support element to the length of the aerosol-generating article is between about 0.3:1 and about 0.5: 1. Advantageously, the length of the hollow tubular support element compared to the length of the aerosol-generating article is greater than known aerosol-generating articles comprising a tubular section. Advantageously, the longer length of the hollow tubular support element makes it easier to handle the hollow tubular support element during the manufacture of the aerosol-generating article. Advantageously, the longer length of the hollow tubular support element may provide the same amount of aerosol cooling to the aerosol-generating article as known articles having a shorter tubular section in combination with the aerosol-cooling element.

The plug of aerosol-forming substrate may have a length extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate and a second end of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate. The ratio of the length of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate to the length of the hollow tubular support element may be between about 0.5:1 and about 0.8: 1. The ratio of the length of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate to the length of the hollow tubular support element may be between about 0.5:1 and about 0.7: 1. The ratio of the length of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate to the length of the hollow tubular support element may be between about 0.5:1 and about 0.6: 1.

The hollow tubular support element may have a length of less than about 50 millimeters. The hollow tubular support element may have a length of less than about 40 millimeters. The hollow tubular support element may have a length of less than about 30 millimeters. The hollow tubular support element may have a length greater than about 14 millimeters. The hollow tubular support element may have a length greater than about 17 millimeters. The hollow tubular support element may have a length of between about 14 millimeters and about 22 millimeters. The hollow tubular support element may have a length of between about 17 millimeters and about 22 millimeters. The length of the hollow tubular support element may be about 21 mm.

The length of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate may be between about 11 mm and about 19 mm. The length of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate may be between about 11 mm and about 15 mm. The length of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate may be about 12 mm.

Advantageously, a plug of aerosol-forming substrate having a length in one or more of these ranges may contain a sufficient amount of volatile compounds to facilitate simulation of smoking a conventional cigarette.

Advantageously, a plug of aerosol-forming substrate having a length in one or more of these ranges may reduce or minimize the required size of a heater in an aerosol-generating device for heating an article. Advantageously, this may facilitate cost-effective manufacturing of the aerosol-generating device.

The filter segment may have a length extending in the longitudinal direction between the first end of the filter segment and the second end of the filter segment of between about 11 millimeters and about 13 millimeters. Advantageously, a filter segment having a length in this range may provide a desired resistance to draw to the aerosol-generating article. In particular, as the hollow tubular support element may have a relatively low resistance to draw, a filter segment having a length of between about 11 millimetres and about 13 millimetres may have a sufficiently high resistance to draw to provide the desired total resistance to draw for the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating article may have a length of between about 40 mm and about 100 mm. The length of the aerosol-generating article may be between about 40 mm and about 80 mm. The aerosol-generating article may have a length of between about 40 mm and about 50 mm. The aerosol-generating article may have a length of about 45 mm.

The hollow tubular support element may comprise a polymer. The tubular support element can comprise at least one of polylactic acid, cellulose acetate, starch, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the tubular support element comprises a bio-plastic. Preferably, the hollow tubular support element comprises at least one of polylactic acid, cellulose acetate, starch, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and combinations thereof.

Advantageously, forming the hollow tubular support element from a polymer may facilitate simple and cost-effective manufacturing of the hollow tubular support element. For example, the hollow tubular support element may be formed by at least one of 3D printing and injection molding.

Advantageously, forming the hollow tubular support element from at least one of polylactic acid and cellulose acetate may provide the hollow tubular support element with sufficient stiffness to facilitate handling of the hollow tubular support element during manufacture of the aerosol-generating article.

Advantageously, forming the hollow tubular support element from at least one of polylactic acid and cellulose acetate may provide sufficient heat capacity to the hollow tubular support element to provide a desired aerosol cooling function during use of the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the hollow tubular support element comprises a circumferential wall defining the tubular shape of the hollow tubular support element. The peripheral wall may have a thickness of between about 0.2 mm and about 5 mm. The peripheral wall may have a thickness of less than about 2 millimeters. The peripheral wall may have a thickness of less than about 1.5 millimeters. The peripheral wall may have a thickness of less than about 1 millimeter. The peripheral wall may have a thickness of at least about 0.2 millimeters. The peripheral wall may have a thickness of at least about 0.4 millimeters. The peripheral wall may have a thickness of at least about 0.5 millimeters. The peripheral wall may have a thickness of about 0.71 millimeters.

In referring to the circumferential wall of the hollow tubular support element, the term "thickness" is used herein to refer to the minimum distance measured between the outer and inner surfaces of the circumferential wall. The distance at a given location is measured in a direction locally substantially perpendicular to the outer and inner surfaces of the peripheral wall. For a substantially cylindrical hollow tubular support element, i.e. a hollow tubular support element having a substantially circular cross-section, the thickness of the circumferential wall is the distance between the outer surface and the inner surface of the circumferential wall measured in a substantially radial direction of the tubular element.

The hollow tubular support element may have an outer diameter of between about 5 millimeters and about 12 millimeters. The hollow tubular support element may have an outer diameter of between about 5 millimeters and about 10 millimeters. The hollow tubular support element may have an outer diameter of between about 6 millimeters and about 8 millimeters. The hollow tubular support element may have an outer diameter of between about 6.5 millimeters and about 7.5 millimeters. Advantageously, a hollow tubular support element having a diameter within these ranges may facilitate the formation of an aerosol-generating article having an outer diameter similar to a conventional cigarette. In a preferred embodiment, the hollow tubular support element has an outer diameter of 7.1mm +/-10%.

In embodiments where the hollow tubular support element comprises a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall may define an interior volume. The hollow tubular support element may comprise a radial structure extending radially within the inner volume from at least a first point on the circumferential wall to at least a second point on the circumferential wall such that at least two air flow passages are defined by the circumferential wall and the radial structure, the at least two air flow passages extending in the longitudinal direction.

Advantageously, the radial structure may increase the compressive strength of the hollow tubular support element in the radial direction.

Advantageously, the radial structure may increase the inner surface area of the hollow tubular support element. Advantageously, increasing the inner surface area of the hollow tubular support element may increase the aerosol cooling function of the hollow tubular support element.

The radial structure may be cruciform in cross-sectional shape such that the peripheral wall and the radial structure define four gas flow passages extending in the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the radial structure is integrally formed with the peripheral wall. In other words, preferably, the radial structure and the peripheral wall are formed in one piece. For example, the peripheral wall and the radial structure may be formed as a single piece during 3D printing or injection molding.

The radial structure may extend along substantially the entire length of the hollow tubular support element.

The radial structure may have a substantially constant cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction. The radial structure may have a substantially constant cross-sectional area in the longitudinal direction.

The radial structure may have a rotationally symmetric cross-sectional shape. Advantageously, the rotationally symmetric cross-sectional shape may provide at least two of the gas flow channels with substantially the same cross-sectional area. Advantageously, this may provide a substantially uniform airflow through the hollow tubular support element.

Preferably, the first end of the hollow tubular support element is located immediately downstream of the plug of aerosol-forming substrate, and the radial structure is shaped to define a recess at the first end of the hollow tubular support element that extends into the interior volume defined by the peripheral wall.

In embodiments in which a heater is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate to heat the aerosol-forming substrate, it may be particularly advantageous to provide the recess in the radial structure at the first end of the hollow tubular support element. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be inserted into an aerosol-generating device comprising an elongate heater inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate from an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. Advantageously, the recess in the radial structure may be arranged to receive a tip of the elongate heater. Advantageously, receiving the tip of the elongate heater in a recess in the radial structure may facilitate insertion of the elongate heater through the entire length of the aerosol-forming substrate in the longitudinal direction. Advantageously, the recess in the radial structure may receive the tip of the elongate heater without requiring direct contact between the elongate heater and the hollow tubular support element. Advantageously, preventing direct contact between the heater and the hollow tubular support element may prevent the hollow tubular support element from melting during heating of the aerosol-forming substrate.

In embodiments in which the aerosol-generating article comprises a heating element received within the aerosol-forming substrate, it may be particularly advantageous to provide the recess in the radial structure at the first end of the hollow tubular support element. For example, the aerosol-generating article may comprise a susceptor positioned within the aerosol-forming substrate. The susceptor may act as a heating element to heat the aerosol-forming substrate when the susceptor is inductively heated. Advantageously, the recess in the radial structure may receive an end of the heater. Advantageously, positioning the end of the heating element in a recess in the radial structure may facilitate the heating element extending through the entire length of the aerosol-forming substrate in the longitudinal direction. Advantageously, the recess in the radial structure may receive an end of the heating element without requiring direct contact between the heating element and the hollow tubular support element. Advantageously, preventing direct contact between the heating element and the hollow tubular support element may prevent the hollow tubular support element from melting during heating of the aerosol-forming substrate.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article comprises an outer wrapper wrapped around the plug of aerosol-forming substrate, the hollow tubular support element and the filter segment. Preferably, the packaging material is a paper packaging material.

Preferably, the filter segment is in the form of a plug. Preferably, the filter segment comprises fibres. Preferably, the fibres of the filter segment comprise cellulose acetate.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a plant material and an aerosol former. Preferably, the plant material is an alkaloid-containing plant material, more preferably a nicotine-containing plant material, and more preferably a tobacco-containing material.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least 70 wt% plant material, more preferably at least 90 wt% plant material on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises less than 95 wt% plant material on a dry weight basis, such as 90 wt% to 95 wt% plant material on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least 5 wt% aerosol-former, more preferably at least 10 wt% aerosol-former, on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises less than 30 wt% aerosol former on a dry weight basis, such as 5 wt% to 30 wt% aerosol former on a dry weight basis.

In some particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises plant material and an aerosol former, wherein the substrate has an aerosol former content of between 5 and 30 wt% on a dry weight basis. The plant material is preferably an alkaloid-containing plant material, more preferably a nicotine-containing plant material, and more preferably a tobacco-containing material. Alkaloids are a class of naturally occurring nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Alkaloids are found primarily in plants, but also in bacteria, fungi and animals. Examples of alkaloids include, but are not limited to, caffeine, nicotine, theobromine, atropine, and tubocurarine. One preferred alkaloid is nicotine, which is found in tobacco.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco, for example may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenised tobacco material, for example cast leaf tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both a solid component and a liquid component. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may also comprise an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerol and propylene glycol.

In some preferred embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a textured sheet of homogenised tobacco material in which the aerosol former content is between 5% and 30% by weight on a dry weight basis. The use of a textured sheet of homogenised tobacco material may advantageously facilitate aggregation of the sheet of homogenised tobacco material to form an aerosol-forming substrate.

As used herein, the term "embossed sheet" means a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations. Preferably, the substantially parallel ridges or corrugations extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article has been assembled. This advantageously promotes aggregation of the crimped sheet of homogenised tobacco material to form an aerosol-forming substrate. However, it will be appreciated that the embossed sheet of homogenised tobacco material for inclusion in the aerosol-generating article may alternatively or additionally have a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations that are arranged at an acute or obtuse angle to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article has been assembled.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be in the form of a mandrel comprising aerosol-forming material surrounded by paper or other packaging material. Where the aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a mandrel, the entire mandrel, including any packaging material, is considered to be an aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate of the present invention preferably comprises an aerosol former. As used herein, the term 'aerosol-former' is used to describe any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds which, in use, facilitates the formation of an aerosol and is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article.

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

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a single aerosol former. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a combination of two or more aerosol-forming agents.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a rod comprising a gathered sheet of aerosol-forming material, for example a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco, or a gathered sheet comprising a nicotine salt and an aerosol-forming agent.

Aerosol-forming substrates comprising gathered sheets of homogenised tobacco for use in aerosol-generating articles may be prepared by methods known in the art, for example the methods disclosed in WO 2012/164009 a 2.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate has an outer diameter of at least 5 mm. The aerosol-forming substrate may have an outer diameter of between about 5 mm and about 12 mm, for example between about 5 mm and about 10 mm or between about 6 mm and about 8 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate has an outer diameter of 7.2 mm +/-10%.

The aerosol-forming substrate may have a length of between about 5 mm and about 15 mm, for example between about 8 mm and about 12 mm. In one embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate may have a length of about 10 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate has a length of about 12 mm. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is substantially cylindrical.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to the first aspect of the present invention. The aerosol-generating device comprises a cavity arranged to receive at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article and a heater positioned to heat a mandrel of an aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device comprising a heater that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.

The heater may be positioned within the cavity and arranged for insertion into a plug of aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity. The heater may extend into the cavity.

The heater may be arranged to extend around an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

Preferably, the heater is an electric heater.

The electric heater may extend into the cavity. The electric heater may be an elongate electric heater. The elongate electric heater may comprise a distal end arranged to be received within the aerosol-generating article and a proximal end opposite the distal end. The electric heater may be blade-shaped. The electric heater may be pin-shaped. The electric heater may be tapered.

The elongate electric heater may comprise at least one resistive heating track. The at least one resistive heating track may be surrounded by an electrically insulating substrate. At least one resistive heating track may be embedded within the electrically insulating substrate. The electrically insulating substrate may comprise a ceramic. An electrically insulating substrate may be received within the tubular housing. The tubular housing may comprise at least one metal.

The electric heater may comprise a resistive heating element. During use, electrical current is supplied to the resistive heating elements to generate heat by resistive heating.

Suitable materials for forming the resistive heating element include, but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conducting" ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composites made of ceramic and metallic materials. Such composite materials may include doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-containing alloys, cobalt-containing alloys, chromium-containing alloys, aluminum-containing alloys, titanium-containing alloys, zirconium-containing alloys, hafnium-containing alloys, niobium-containing alloys, molybdenum-containing alloys, tantalum-containing alloys, tungsten-containing alloys, tin-containing alloys, gallium-containing alloys, manganese-containing alloys, and iron-containing alloys, and superalloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel,and iron-manganese-aluminum based alloys.

In some embodiments, the resistive heating element comprises one or more stamped portions of resistive material (such as stainless steel). Alternatively, the resistive heating element may comprise heating wires or filaments, such as Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten or alloy wires.

The electric heater may comprise an electrically insulating substrate, wherein the resistive heating element is disposed on the electrically insulating substrate. The electrically insulating substrate may be a ceramic material, such as zirconia or alumina. Preferably, the electrically insulating substrate has a thermal conductivity of less than or equal to about 2 watts per meter kelvin.

The electric heater may be arranged to extend around an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article received within the cavity. The electric heater may have a tubular shape. The electrical heater may include an electrically insulating substrate and at least one resistive heating track on the electrically insulating substrate. The electrically insulating substrate may comprise a flexible sheet. Advantageously, the flexible sheet material may facilitate the manufacture of the electric heater in a flat state, howeverAnd then deforming the flexible sheet into the desired shape. For example, the electric heater may be formed in a flat state and then rolled into a tubular shape. The electrically insulating substrate may comprise a polyimide film. The at least one resistive heating track may comprise at least one metal. The at least one resistive heating track may comprise a metal. The at least one resistive heating track may comprise a metal alloy. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-containing alloys, cobalt-containing alloys, chromium-containing alloys, aluminum-containing alloys, titanium-containing alloys, zirconium-containing alloys, hafnium-containing alloys, niobium-containing alloys, molybdenum-containing alloys, tantalum-containing alloys, tungsten-containing alloys, tin-containing alloys, gallium-containing alloys, manganese-containing alloys, and iron-containing alloys, and superalloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel,and iron-manganese-aluminum based alloys.

The at least one resistive heating track may define a plurality of heating zones.

The at least one resistive heating track may comprise a plurality of heating tracks. The plurality of heating tracks may define a plurality of heating zones.

The at least one resistive heating track may comprise a single heating track comprising a plurality of sections, wherein each section defines a heating zone.

Advantageously, at least some of the heating zones may be heated to different temperatures during use. Advantageously, at least some of the heating zones may be heated at different times during use. Each heating zone may be defined by a single resistive heating track. Each heating zone may be defined by a plurality of resistive heating tracks.

The electric heater may comprise an induction heating element. During use, when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, the inductive heating element inductively heats the susceptor material to heat the aerosol-generating article. The susceptor material may form part of an aerosol-generating device. The susceptor material may form part of an aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller arranged to supply power from the power source to the electric heater during use of the aerosol-generating device.

Preferably, the controller is arranged to supply power from the power supply to the electric heater according to a predetermined heating cycle when the aerosol-generating device is used to heat an aerosol-generating article received within the cavity.

The power supply may be a DC voltage source. In a preferred embodiment, the power source is a battery. For example, the power source may be a nickel metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a lithium based battery, such as a lithium cobalt battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, or a lithium polymer battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power source may require recharging and may have a capacity that allows storage of sufficient energy for the aerosol-generating device to be used with one or more aerosol-generating articles.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device comprises at least one air inlet. Preferably, the at least one air inlet is in fluid communication with the upstream end of the chamber. In embodiments in which the aerosol-generating device comprises an elongate electric heater, preferably the elongate electric heater extends into the chamber from an upstream end of the chamber.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a sensor to detect an air flow indicative of a user sucking the breath. The air flow sensor may be an electromechanical device. The air flow sensor may be any one of the following: mechanical devices, optical devices, opto-mechanical devices, and sensors based on micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). The aerosol-generating device may comprise a manually operated switch for a user to initiate a puff.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be mounted on a printed circuit board. In embodiments in which the aerosol-generating device comprises an electric heater, the temperature sensor may be mounted on the electric heater. In embodiments where the electric heater comprises an electrically insulating substrate, the temperature sensor may be mounted on the electrically insulating substrate. In embodiments where the electric heater is an elongate electric heater, the temperature sensor may be mounted on the distal end of the elongate electric heater.

The temperature sensor may detect the temperature of the electric heater or the temperature of the aerosol-generating article received within the cavity. The temperature sensor may be a thermistor. The temperature sensor may be a thermocouple. The temperature sensor may include circuitry configured to measure the resistivity of the electric heater and derive the temperature of the electric heater by comparing the measured resistivity to a calibration curve of resistivity versus temperature.

Advantageously, deriving the temperature of the electric heater may facilitate controlling the temperature to which the electric heater is heated during use. The controller may be configured to adjust the supply of power to the electric heater in response to a change in the measured resistivity of the electric heater.

Advantageously, deriving the temperature of the electric heater may facilitate puff detection. For example, a measured drop in temperature of the electric heater may correspond to a user drawing or sucking on the aerosol-generating article.

It will be appreciated that any feature described with reference to one aspect of the invention is equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention.

Drawings

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2 shows a transverse cross-sectional view of a hollow tubular support element of the aerosol-generating article of figure 1;

figure 3 shows a transverse cross-sectional view of an alternative arrangement of the hollow tubular support element of the aerosol-generating article of figure 1;

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hollow tubular support element of FIG. 3;

figure 5 shows a transverse cross-sectional view of a further alternative arrangement of the hollow tubular support element of the aerosol-generating article of figure 1; and is

Figure 6 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating article of figure 1.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating article 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol-generating article 10 comprises a plug 12 of aerosol-forming substrate containing tobacco and positioned at an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article 10. Located immediately downstream of the plug 12 of aerosol-forming substrate is a hollow tubular support element 14 formed from polylactic acid. Located immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element 14 and at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article 10 is a filter segment 16 comprising cellulose acetate fibres. The aerosol-generating article 10 further comprises an outer wrapper 18 formed from paper and surrounding the plug 12 of aerosol-forming substrate, the hollow tubular support element 14 and the filter segment 16.

The aerosol-generating article 10 defines a longitudinal direction 20 and has a length 22 extending between an upstream end and a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article 10. The length 22 of the aerosol-generating article 10 is 45 millimetres.

The plug 12, the hollow tubular support element 14 and the filter segment 16 of aerosol-forming substrate each have a length 24, 26, 28 respectively. The length 24 of the plug 12 of aerosol-forming substrate is 12 mm. The length 26 of the hollow tubular support element 14 is 21 mm. The length 28 of the filter segment 18 is 12 mm. The ratio of the length 26 of the hollow tubular support element 14 to the length 22 of the aerosol-generating article 10 is 0.47: 1.

Fig. 2 shows a side sectional view of the hollow tubular support element 14. The hollow tubular support element 14 comprises a circumferential wall 30 defining the tubular shape of the hollow tubular support element 14. The peripheral wall 30 has an outer surface 32 and an inner surface 34. The inner surface 34 defines an interior volume 36 that forms an airflow passage 38 extending along the length 26 of the hollow tubular support element 14. The peripheral wall 30 has a thickness 40 of 0.71 mm. The hollow tubular support element 14 has a circular annular cross-sectional shape. The hollow tubular support element 14 has an outer diameter 42 of 7.1mm and an inner diameter 44 of 5.68 mm.

Fig. 3 shows a side sectional view of an alternative arrangement of the hollow tubular support element 14. In the arrangement shown in fig. 3, the hollow tubular support element 14 includes a radial structure 46 comprising a single wall extending across the interior volume 36 defined by the peripheral wall 30. The radial structure 46 divides the interior volume 36 into two gas flow passages 38. The radial structure 46 is integrally formed with the peripheral wall 30.

Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hollow tubular support element 14 of figure 3 taken along line 344 and 344 shown in figure 3. The hollow tubular support element 14 includes a recess 48 formed in the radial structure 46 at a first end 50 of the hollow tubular support element 14. When the hollow tubular support element 14 is assembled with a plug 12 of aerosol-forming substrate and a filter segment 16 to form the aerosol-generating article 10, the first end 50 comprising the recess 48 is positioned adjacent the plug 12 of aerosol-forming substrate. In other words, the recess 48 is positioned at the upstream end of the hollow tubular support element 14. The second end 52 of the hollow tubular support element 14 forms the downstream end of the hollow tubular support element 14. During use of the aerosol-generating article 10 in an aerosol-generating device, the recess 48 may receive the tip of a heater inserted through a mandrel 12 of an aerosol-forming substrate.

Fig. 5 shows a side sectional view of a further alternative arrangement of the hollow tubular support element 14 similar to the arrangement shown in fig. 3. In the arrangement shown in fig. 5, the radial structure 46 is cruciform and divides the interior volume 36 into four gas flow passages 48. The hollow tubular support element 14 may comprise a recess 48 in the radial structure 46, as already described with reference to fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating system 100 comprising an aerosol-generating device 102 and the aerosol-generating article 10 of fig. 1. The aerosol-generating device 102 comprises a housing 104 defining a cavity 106 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 10. An elongate electric heater 108 extends into the cavity 106 and is arranged for insertion into the plug 12 of aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article 10 is inserted into the cavity 106. The aerosol-generating device 102 further comprises a power supply 110 and a controller 112. During use, the controller 112 controls the supply of electrical power from the power source 110 to the elongate electrical heater 108. The elongate electric heater 108 heats the plug 12 of aerosol-forming substrate to release the volatile compound from the plug 12 of aerosol-forming substrate. As the user draws on the filter segment 16, the released compounds are drawn into the hollow tubular support element 14 where they cool to form an aerosol. The aerosols are then drawn through the filter segment 16 where they are delivered to the user.