Aerosol-generating article comprising a mouth-end cooling element

Abstract

An aerosol generating article (10) for generating an aerosol upon heating is provided, the aerosol generating article comprising: a strip (12) of an aerosol generating substrate; a hollow tubular support element (14) positioned immediately downstream of the strip of aerosol generating substrate; and an aerosol cooling element (16) downstream of the hollow tubular support element. The aerosol cooling element (16) extends to the downstream end of the aerosol generating article and comprises a hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall (26) at a position between the upstream end and the downstream end of the hollow tubular segment. Thus, the hollow tubular segment defines a first cavity (28) upstream of the transverse wall and a second cavity (30) downstream of the transverse wall (26). The transverse wall comprises one or more openings (32) that establish fluid communication between the first cavity (28) and the second cavity (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate and adapted to generate an inhalable aerosol upon heating. Background Art

[0002] Aerosol generating articles are known in the art, in which an aerosol generating substrate (such as a tobacco-containing substrate) is heated rather than burned. Typically, in such heated smoking articles, an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from a heat source to a physically separated aerosol generating substrate or material, which can be positioned in contact with the heat source, inside, around or downstream of the heat source. During the use of the aerosol generating article, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol generating substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and are entrained in the air drawn through the aerosol generating article. As the released compounds cool, the compounds condense to form an aerosol.

[0003] Many prior art documents disclose aerosol generating devices for consuming aerosol generating articles. Such devices include, for example, electrically heated aerosol generating devices, wherein an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from one or more electrical heater elements of the aerosol generating device to an aerosol generating substrate of the heated aerosol generating article.

[0004] In the past, randomly oriented fragments, thin strips or strips of tobacco material were generally used to produce substrates for heated aerosol generating products. Recently, alternative substrates for aerosol generating products to be heated rather than burned have been disclosed, such as strips formed from aggregated sheets of tobacco material. For example, the strips disclosed in International Patent Application WO-A-2012 / 164009 have a longitudinal porosity that allows air to be drawn through the strips. As another alternative, International Patent Application WO-A-2011 / 101164 discloses strips for heated aerosol generating products formed from thin strips of homogenized tobacco material, which can be formed by casting, rolling, calendering or extruding a mixture comprising particulate tobacco and at least one aerosol forming agent to form a sheet of homogenized tobacco material. In another embodiment, the rod of WO-A-2011 / 101164 may be formed from a thin rod of homogenised tobacco material obtained by extruding a mixture comprising particulate tobacco and at least one aerosol former to form a continuous length of homogenised tobacco material.

[0005] The substrate for heated aerosol-generating articles also typically includes an aerosol former, i.e., a compound or mixture of compounds that promotes the formation of an aerosol in use and preferably substantially resists thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article. Suitable aerosol formers include, but are not limited to, polyols such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, and glycerol; esters of polyols such as mono-, di-, or triesters of glycerol; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-, or polycarboxylic acids such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

[0006] It is also common to include one or more additional elements in an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the one or more additional elements being assembled with the substrate in the same packaging. Examples of such additional elements include a mouthpiece filter segment, a support element suitable for imparting structural strength to the aerosol-generating article.

[0007] It is also proposed to include a cooling element in an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the cooling element being adapted to facilitate cooling of the aerosol before reaching the mouthpiece. For example, WO 2013 / 120565 discloses an aerosol-generating article, an aerosol-forming substrate and an aerosol-cooling element located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate in a strip. In an embodiment, the aerosol-cooling element comprises a rolled sheet of polylactic acid (PLA) that has been gathered to define a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. As the aerosol stream is drawn through the aerosol-cooling element, heat may be transferred from the aerosol to the sheet of PLA.

[0008] When an aerosol-generating article of the type described above is used under particularly hot and humid weather conditions, such as those often encountered in countries characterized by a tropical climate, the mouthpiece of the article may reach temperatures as high as in the range of 42 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius. Since sensitive tissues, such as lips, mouth, tongue and mucous membranes, may be in direct contact with the mouthpiece surface during use, these temperatures may be associated with discomfort or slight pain sensations for some consumers. Without wishing to be bound by theory, this is understood to be because the thermoreceptors that respond to an increase in skin temperature are most sensitive at approximately 45 degrees Celsius. In contrast, when the temperature of the skin is from about 30 degrees Celsius to about 36 degrees Celsius, the thermoreceptors are spontaneously active, but generally do not perceive warmth (neutral thermal zone). In addition, the skin also contains heat-sensitive receptors, known as thermal nociceptors, which cause a sensation of pain when the skin temperature rises above 45 degrees Celsius. This is because nociceptors that respond to temperature are designed to signal the central nervous system that tissue damage may be imminent and that the affected body part should be immediately withdrawn from the heat source.

[0009] It is therefore desirable to provide new and improved aerosol-generating articles adapted to optimize cooling of an aerosol delivered to a consumer. It is also desirable to provide new and improved aerosol-generating articles adapted to optimize cooling of a mouth-end surface of an article that may come into contact with sensitive tissue of a consumer during use. At the same time, it is desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that can be manufactured efficiently and at high speed without requiring major modifications to existing equipment and devices. Summary of the invention

[0010] Therefore, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating article for generating an aerosol when heated. The aerosol generating article may include a strip of an aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating article may include a hollow tubular support element, which may be positioned immediately downstream of the strip of aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating article may include an aerosol cooling element downstream of the hollow tubular support element. The aerosol cooling element may extend all the way to the downstream end of the aerosol generating article and may include a hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall at a position between the upstream end and the downstream end of the hollow tubular segment. Therefore, the hollow tubular segment may define a first cavity upstream of the transverse wall and a second cavity downstream of the transverse wall. The transverse wall may include one or more openings, which establish fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating article for generating an aerosol upon heating, the aerosol generating article comprising: a strip of an aerosol generating substrate; a hollow tubular support element positioned immediately downstream of the strip of the aerosol generating substrate; and an aerosol cooling element downstream of the hollow tubular support element. The aerosol cooling element extends all the way to the downstream end of the aerosol generating article. In addition, the aerosol cooling element comprises a hollow tubular segment, the hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall at a position between the upstream end and the downstream end of the hollow tubular segment, such that the hollow tubular segment defines a first cavity upstream of the transverse wall and a second cavity downstream of the transverse wall. In addition, the transverse wall comprises one or more openings that establish fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating system is provided, which includes an aerosol generating article as described above and an electrically operated aerosol generating device, wherein the electrically operated aerosol generating device includes a heating element and an elongated heating chamber, and the elongated heating chamber is configured to receive the aerosol generating article so that a strip of the aerosol generating substrate is heated in the heating chamber.

[0013] 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.

[0014] The term "aerosol-generating article" is used herein with reference to the present invention to describe an article in which an aerosol-generating substrate is heated to generate an aerosol and deliver the aerosol to a consumer. As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating substrate" means a substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating to generate an aerosol.

[0015] When the user applies a flame to one end of the cigarette and draws air through the other end, traditional smoking is ignited. The local heat provided by the flame and the oxygen in the air drawn by the cigarette causes the end of the cigarette to be ignited, and the combustion formed produces inhalable smoke. On the contrary, in heated aerosol generating products, aerosol is generated by heating a flavor generating substrate such as tobacco. Known heated aerosol generating products include, for example, electrically heated aerosol generating products, and aerosol generating products in which aerosol is generated by heat transfer from a combustible fuel element or a heat source to a physically independent aerosol forming material. For example, the aerosol generating products according to the present invention find specific applications in aerosol generating systems, which include electrically heated aerosol generating devices, which have internal heater blades, which are suitable for being inserted into the strips of aerosol generating substrates. This type of aerosol generating product is described in the prior art (for example, in European patent application EP 0822670).

[0016] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device comprising a heater element that interacts with an aerosol-generating substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.

[0017] During use, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate by heat transfer and are entrained in the air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the consumer.

[0018] As used herein, the term "tubular element" refers to an elongated element that defines a lumen or airflow passage along its longitudinal axis. In the context of this specification, the term "tubular" is intended to encompass any tubular element having a generally cylindrical cross-section that defines at least one airflow conduit that establishes fluid communication between an upstream end of the tubular element and a downstream end of the tubular element. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "hollow" is used to describe a tubular element that defines an internal empty space (such as a chamber or cavity).

[0019] As used herein, the term "longitudinal" refers to a direction corresponding to the main longitudinal axis of an aerosol-generating article, which direction extends between the upstream end and the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" describe the relative position of an element or part of an element of an aerosol-generating article relative to the direction in which an aerosol is transported through the aerosol-generating article during use. During use, air is drawn through the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Unless otherwise specified, 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.

[0020] The term "length" refers to the maximum dimension of a component of an aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. For example, it may be used to refer to the dimension of a strip or a tubular element in the longitudinal direction. In particular, in the context of the present invention, the term "length of a tubular element" is used to refer to the maximum distance between the upstream end and the downstream end of a tubular element. Furthermore, the term "length of the inner cavity of a tubular element" is used to refer to the maximum distance between a transverse wall and a corresponding one of the upstream end and the downstream end of a tubular element.

[0021] For example, the length of the upstream cavity of the tubular element can be evaluated as the maximum distance along the length of the tubular support element between a transverse plane defined by the upstream end surface of the peripheral wall of the tubular support element and a transverse plane defined by the position of the transverse wall (that is, the mid-plane of the transverse wall).

[0022] The term "thickness of the circumferential wall of a tubular element" is used in this specification to denote the smallest distance measured between the outer surface and the inner surface of the wall of the tubular element. In practice, the distance at a given position is measured along a direction locally substantially perpendicular to the opposite sides of the wall of the tubular element. For a substantially cylindrical tubular element, that is to say a tubular element with a substantially circular cross section, the thickness of the circumferential wall is assessed as the distance between the outer surface and the inner surface of the circumferential wall measured along a substantially radial direction of the tubular element.

[0023] The expression "air-impermeable material" is used throughout this specification to mean a material that does not allow fluids, especially air and smoke, to pass through gaps or pores in the material. If the tubular support element is formed of a material that is impermeable to air and aerosol particles, air and aerosol particles drawn through the support element are forced to flow through the airflow duct, but cannot flow through the walls of the support element.

[0024] In contrast, the term "porous" is used herein to refer to a material that provides a plurality of pores or openings that allow air to pass through the material.

[0025] The term "equivalent diameter of an opening" is used herein to refer to the diameter of a circular opening having the same cross-sectional surface area as the opening.

[0026] As used in this specification, term " homogenized tobacco material " contains any tobacco material formed by the agglomeration of tobacco material particles.Sheet material or the web material of homogenized tobacco material are formed by making particulate tobacco agglomerate, and this particulate tobacco is obtained by grinding one or both in tobacco blade and tobacco leaf stem or otherwise powdering.In addition, homogenized tobacco material can comprise one or more in tobacco dust, tobacco granules and other particulate tobacco byproducts formed during a spot of processing, operation and transportation of tobacco.The sheet material of homogenized tobacco material can be produced by casting, extruding, papermaking process or other any suitable techniques known in the art.

[0027] As briefly described above, an aerosol-generating article according to the invention comprises a strip of aerosol-generating substrate and a hollow tubular support element positioned immediately downstream of the strip of aerosol-generating substrate. Furthermore, an aerosol-generating article according to the invention comprises an aerosol-cooling element downstream of the hollow tubular support element.

[0028] Compared to existing aerosol-generating articles, in the article according to the present invention, the aerosol-cooling element extends all the way to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. In other words, the aerosol-cooling element defines the mouth end portion of the article and can be inhaled by the consumer during use. In addition, the aerosol-cooling element comprises a hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall at an intermediate position along its length. Thus, the internal volume of the hollow tubular segment is divided into a first cavity and a second cavity at the upstream, and the cavities are respectively arranged upstream and downstream of the transverse wall. One or more openings are formed through the transverse wall. The one or more openings establish fluid communication between the cavities.

[0029] In aerosol-generating articles according to the invention, the aerosol-cooling element is adapted to reduce the temperature of the aerosol flowing through the article, whilst homogenising the aerosol flow and finely controlling how the aerosol flow is delivered to the mouth of a consumer.

[0030] In more detail, it has been found that the structure and features of the aerosol-cooling element are such as to consistently reduce the temperature of the airflow in the article to below a threshold value that may be associated with a consumer's discomfort or pain. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it will be appreciated that in an aerosol-generating article according to the present invention, heat from the aerosol flowing through the article is conveniently dissipated as the material of the aerosol-cooling element heats up by conduction and convection. At the same time, as the aerosol flow is concentrated through one or more openings in the transverse wall before being more widely distributed over the cross-section of the downstream cavity, overheating of the outer surface of the article that may come into contact with the lips of the consumer during use is advantageously prevented, even when the article is used in particularly hot and humid weather conditions. In addition, as the transverse wall partially blocks the flow and directs the air and volatile aerosol substances in the air through one or more openings in the transverse wall, turbulence is increased, and therefore heat transfer from the airflow to the transverse wall is expected to be superior to heat transfer from the airflow to the surrounding wall.

[0031] Furthermore, aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention may be manufactured in a continuous process and their production may be conveniently carried out at high speed and incorporated into existing production lines for manufacturing heated aerosol-generating articles without requiring extensive modifications to the manufacturing equipment.

[0032] Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention comprise an aerosol-generating substrate which may be provided in the form of a strip defined by a wrapper.

[0033] The outer diameter of the strip of aerosol-generating substrate is preferably approximately equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0034] Preferably, the strip of aerosol generating substrate has an outer diameter of at least 5 mm. The strip of aerosol generating substrate may have an outer diameter between about 5 mm and about 12 mm, for example between about 5 mm and about 10 mm, or between about 5 mm and about 8 mm, or between about 6 mm and about 12 mm, or between about 6 mm and 10 mm, or between about 6 mm and about 8 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the strip of aerosol generating substrate has an outer diameter of 7.2 mm.

[0035] The strip of aerosol generating substrate may have a length between about 5 mm and about 100 mm. Preferably, the strip of aerosol generating substrate has a length of at least about 5 mm, more preferably at least about 7 mm. In addition, or as an alternative, the strip of aerosol generating substrate preferably has a length less than about 100 mm, more preferably less than about 80 mm, even more preferably less than about 65 mm, most preferably less than or equal to about 50 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the strip of aerosol generating substrate has a length less than or equal to about 35 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 25 mm, even more preferably less than or equal to about 20 mm. In one embodiment, the strip of aerosol generating substrate may have a length of about 10 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the strip of aerosol generating substrate has a length of about 12 mm.

[0036] In some embodiments, the strip of aerosol generating article has a length of about 5 mm to about 80 mm, or about 5 mm to about 65 mm, or about 5 mm to about 50 mm. In other embodiments, the strip of aerosol generating substrate has a length of about 7 mm to about 100 mm, or about 7 mm to about 80 mm, or about 7 mm to about 65 mm, or about 7 mm to about 50 mm. In other embodiments, the strip of aerosol generating substrate has a length of about 10 mm to about 100 mm, or about 10 mm to about 80 mm, or about 10 mm to about 65 mm, or about 10 mm to about 50 mm.

[0037] Preferably, the strip of aerosol-generating substrate has a substantially uniform cross-section along the length of the strip. Particularly preferably, the strip of aerosol-generating substrate has a substantially circular cross-section.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate comprises the gathering sheet material of one or more homogenized tobacco materials.Preferably, the sheet material of one or more homogenized tobacco materials is textured.As used herein, term "textured sheet material" means a sheet material that has been curled, embossed, gravure, perforated or otherwise deformed.The textured sheet material that is used for homogenized tobacco material of the present invention may comprise a plurality of impressions, protrusions, perforations or its combination that are spaced apart.According to particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the strip of aerosol generating substrate comprises the gathering curled sheet material of the homogenized tobacco material that is limited by wrapper.

[0039] As used herein, the term "curled sheet" is intended to be synonymous with the term "wrinkled sheet", and represents a sheet with a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations. Preferably, the curled sheet of homogenized tobacco material has a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations with the cylindrical axis of a strip according to the present invention. This advantageously promotes the gathering of the curled sheet of homogenized tobacco material to form a strip. However, it should be understood that the curled sheet for homogenized tobacco material of the present invention may alternatively or additionally have a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations arranged at the cylindrical axis of the strip at an acute angle or an obtuse angle. In a particular embodiment, the sheet of homogenized tobacco material for the strip of the present invention's article can be substantially uniformly textured on its substantially entire surface. For example, the curled sheet of homogenized tobacco material for the manufacture of the strip of aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention can include a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations, which are substantially uniformly spaced apart on the width of the sheet.

[0040] Sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material for use in the present invention can have a tobacco content of at least about 40% by weight on a dry basis, more preferably at least about 60% by weight on a dry basis, more preferably at least about 70% by weight on a dry basis, and most preferably at least about 90% by weight on a dry basis.

[0041] The sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material used in aerosol-generating substrate may include one or more intrinsic binders (i.e., tobacco endogenous binders), one or more non-intrinsic binders (i.e., tobacco exogenous binders), or combinations thereof to help coalesce particulate tobacco. Alternatively or additionally, the sheet of homogenized tobacco material used in aerosol-generating substrate may include other additives, including but not limited to tobacco and non-tobacco fibers, aerosol forming agents, humectants, plasticizers, flavors, fillers, aqueous solvents and non-aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof.

[0042] Suitable external binders for inclusion in sheets or webs of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol generating substrate are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic and locust bean gum; cellulosic binders such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose; polysaccharides such as starch; organic acids such as alginic acid; conjugate base salts of organic acids such as sodium alginate, agar and pectin; and combinations thereof.

[0043] Suitable non-tobacco fibers included in the sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol generating substrate are known in the art, including, but not limited to, cellulose fibers; softwood fibers; hardwood fibers; jute fibers, and combinations thereof. Before being included in a sheet of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol generating substrate, the non-tobacco fibers may be treated by suitable processes known in the art, including, but not limited to, mechanical pulping, refining, chemical pulping, bleaching, kraft pulping, and combinations thereof.

[0044] Preferably, the sheet or web of homogenised tobacco material comprises an aerosol former. As used herein, the term "aerosol former" describes any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds which, in use, promotes the formation of an aerosol and which is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol generating article.

[0045] Suitable aerosol formers are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, polyols such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, glycerol; esters of polyols such as glycerol monoacetate, glycerol diacetate or glycerol triacetate; and fatty acid esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

[0046] Preferred aerosol formers are polyols or mixtures thereof such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol and most preferably glycerol.

[0047] The sheet or web of homogenised tobacco material may comprise a single aerosol-former.Alternatively, the sheet or web of homogenised tobacco material may comprise a combination of two or more aerosol-formers.

[0048] The sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material has an aerosol forming agent content of greater than 10% by dry weight. Preferably, the sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material has an aerosol forming agent content of greater than 12% by dry weight. More preferably, the sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material has an aerosol forming agent content of greater than 14% by dry weight. Even preferably, the sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material has an aerosol forming agent content of greater than 16% by dry weight.

[0049] The sheet of homogenised tobacco material may have an aerosol former content of from about 10% to about 30% by dry weight.Preferably, the sheet or web of homogenised tobacco material has an aerosol former content of less than 25% by dry weight.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the sheet of homogenised tobacco material has an aerosol former content of about 20% by dry weight.

[0051] The sheet or web of homogenized tobacco used in the aerosol-generating article of the present invention can be manufactured by methods known in the art (e.g., the method disclosed in International Patent Application WO-A-2012 / 164009A2). In a preferred embodiment, the sheet of homogenized tobacco material used in the aerosol-generating article is formed by a casting process from a slurry comprising particulate tobacco, guar gum, cellulose fibers and glycerol.

[0052] Alternative arrangements of homogenised tobacco material for use in a rod in an aerosol-generating article will be known to the skilled person and may include a plurality of stacked sheets of homogenised tobacco material, a plurality of elongate tubular elements formed by winding a rod of homogenised tobacco material about its longitudinal axis, and the like.

[0053] As another alternative, the strip of aerosol generating substrate may include a non-tobacco-based nicotine-containing material, such as a sheet of absorbent non-tobacco material loaded with nicotine (e.g., in the form of nicotine salts) and an aerosol forming agent. Examples of such strips are described in International Application WO-A-2015 / 052652. Additionally or alternatively, the strip of aerosol generating substrate may include non-tobacco plant material, such as aromatic non-tobacco plant material.

[0054] In the strip of aerosol-generating substrate of the article according to the invention, the aerosol-generating substrate is preferably defined by a wrapper. The wrapper may be formed of a porous or non-porous sheet material. The wrapper may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials. Preferably, the wrapper is a paper wrapper.

[0055] In an aerosol-generating article according to the invention, a tubular support element is provided at a position downstream of the strip of aerosol-generating substrate. The tubular support element comprises a cylindrical peripheral wall and defines an airflow conduit extending longitudinally from an upstream end of the tubular support element to a downstream end of the tubular support element. Thus, the tubular support element establishes fluid communication between the strip of aerosol-generating substrate and one or more components of the article further downstream.

[0056] In more detail, the tubular support element is longitudinally aligned with the strip and is arranged immediately downstream of the strip. In the context of the present invention, the expression "immediately downstream of the strip" means that the tubular support element and the strip are in contact with each other or very close to each other, so that when receiving the article for use in an aerosol generating device suitable for heating an aerosol generating substrate (for example, an aerosol generating substrate including a heating element inserted into the strip), the tubular support element effectively provides support for the strip, wherein the aerosol generating article is hardly deformed, or the strip is hardly displaced, or both. Therefore, in practice, in the context of the present invention, the expression "immediately downstream of the strip" is used to indicate that the minimum longitudinal distance between the downstream end surface of the strip and the upstream end surface of the peripheral wall of the tubular support element is less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm, and even more preferably less than 0.25 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the upstream end surface of the peripheral wall of the tubular support element directly contacts the downstream end surface of the strip of the aerosol generating substrate.

[0057] Thus, the tubular support element can effectively hold the strip of aerosol-generating substrate at a predetermined distance from the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. In addition, the tubular support element imparts structural strength to the aerosol-generating article so that it can be easily held by a consumer and it can be conveniently inserted into an aerosol-generating device for use.

[0058] The tubular support element may be made of a porous material or of an air-impermeable material. Suitable examples of porous materials include, but are not limited to, cellulose acetate and many other porous polymeric materials known to the skilled person. Suitable examples of air-impermeable materials include, but are not limited to, non-porous polymeric materials, with bioplastics being particularly preferred.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the tubular support element comprises a hollow cellulose acetate tube.

[0060] During use, a thermal gradient is established along the airflow duct of the tubular support element. In practice, a temperature difference is provided such that the temperature of the volatile aerosol components entering the tubular support element at the downstream end of the strip of aerosol generating substrate is substantially higher than the temperature of the volatile aerosol components leaving the tubular support element at the downstream end of the tubular support element. However, this is generally not sufficient to adequately cool the volatile aerosol components.

[0061] The thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall of the hollow tubular support element is preferably less than or equal to 2 mm. More preferably, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall is less than or equal to 1.5 mm. Even more preferably, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall is less than or equal to 1 mm.

[0062] The thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall of the hollow tubular support element is at least 0.2 mm. More preferably, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall is at least 0.4 mm. Even more preferably, the thickness of the cylindrical peripheral wall is at least 0.6 mm.

[0063] In some embodiments, the thickness of the cylindrical circumferential wall of the hollow tubular support element is about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm, or about 0.2 mm to about 1.5 mm, or about 0.2 mm to about 1 mm. In other embodiments, the thickness of the cylindrical circumferential wall of the hollow tubular support element is about 0.4 mm to about 2 mm, or about 0.4 mm to about 1.5 mm, or about 0.4 mm to about 1 mm. In other embodiments, the thickness of the cylindrical circumferential wall of the hollow tubular support element is about 0.6 mm to about 2 mm, or about 0.6 mm to about 1.5 mm, or about 0.6 mm to about 1 mm.

[0064] In some preferred embodiments, the thickness of the cylindrical circumferential wall of the hollow tubular support element is from about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm, more preferably from about 0.4 mm to about 1.5 mm, and even more preferably from about 0.6 mm to about 1 mm.

[0065] Thus, at the upstream end, the cylindrical peripheral wall provides an end surface suitable for abutting the peripheral portion of the strip of the aerosol generating substrate. In some embodiments, the upstream end surface of the peripheral wall may have a substantially flat profile. Thus, it may substantially completely contact the downstream end surface of the strip. In an alternative embodiment, the upstream end surface of the peripheral wall has a non-planar profile, such as an inclined profile or a curved profile, so that the peripheral wall contacts the strip only at its outermost peripheral edge, and some spacing is provided between the downstream end surface of the strip and the end surface of the peripheral wall at the inner periphery of the peripheral wall.

[0066] Preferably, the length of the hollow tubular support element is at least about 10 mm. More preferably, the length of the hollow tubular support element is at least about 15 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the hollow tubular support element is at least about 20 mm.

[0067] The length of the hollow tubular support element is preferably less than or equal to about 60 mm. More preferably, the length of the hollow tubular support element is less than or equal to about 50 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the hollow tubular support element is less than or equal to about 40 mm.

[0068] In some embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular support element is about 10 mm to about 60 mm, or about 10 mm to about 50 mm, or about 10 mm to about 40 mm. In other embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular support element is about 15 mm to about 60 mm, or about 15 mm to about 50 mm, or about 15 mm to about 40 mm. In other embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular support element is about 20 mm to about 60 mm, or about 20 mm to about 50 mm, or about 20 mm to about 40 mm.

[0069] In some preferred embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular support element is from about 10 mm to about 60 mm, more preferably from about 15 mm to about 50 mm, and even more preferably from about 20 mm to about 40 mm.

[0070] As briefly described above, aerosol-generating articles according to the invention comprise an aerosol-cooling element longitudinally aligned with the strip and the hollow tubular support element and positioned downstream of the hollow tubular support element.

[0071] In some embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element is positioned immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element" means that the aerosol-cooling elements are in contact with each other or are very close to each other. In practice, the expression "immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element" is used to indicate that the minimum longitudinal distance between the downstream end surface of the hollow tubular support element and the upstream end surface of the peripheral wall of the aerosol-cooling element is less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm, even more preferably less than 0.25 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the upstream end surface of the aerosol-cooling element directly contacts the downstream end surface of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular support element.

[0072] In other embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may comprise one or more additional components between the hollow tubular support element and the aerosol-cooling element.

[0073] For example, an aerosol generating article may include a filter plug of filter material capable of removing a particulate component, a gaseous component, or a combination thereof. Suitable filter materials are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: fibrous filter materials, such as cellulose acetate tow, viscose fibers, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) fibers, polylactic acid (PLA) fibers, and paper; adsorbents, such as activated alumina, zeolites, molecular sieves, and silica gel; and combinations thereof. In addition, the filter plug segment of the filter material may also include one or more aerosol modifiers. Suitable aerosol modifiers are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, flavors, such as, for example, menthol. The length of the filter plug segment of the filter material may be from about 4 mm to about 25 mm. Preferably, the length of the filter plug segment of the filter material is at least about 6 mm, more preferably at least about 8 mm. The length of the filter plug segment of the filter material is preferably less than or equal to about 25 mm, more preferably less than or equal to about 20 mm, and even more preferably less than or equal to about 15 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the length of the filter plug segment of the filter material is less than or equal to about 10 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the filter plug segment of the filter material is about 5 mm. In another exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece has a length of about 7 mm.

[0074] The aerosol-cooling element comprises a hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall at a position between an upstream end and a downstream end of the hollow tubular segment. A substantially cylindrical inner cavity defined by the interior of the hollow tubular segment is divided into two spaces by the transverse wall, namely a first cavity upstream of the transverse wall and a second cavity downstream of the transverse wall. The transverse wall comprises one or more openings extending through the transverse wall, such that fluid communication is established via the one or more openings between the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0075] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it will be appreciated that the upstream cavity of the aerosol-cooling element may allow air and aerosol volatiles drawn through the article to be concentrated around one or more openings in the transverse wall before being drawn further downstream through the one or more openings. The number, shape and size of the openings provided in the transverse wall may be selected so as to adjust the RTD of the aerosol-cooling element and the RTD of the aerosol-generating article. Furthermore, the number, shape and size of the openings may be selected so as to facilitate homogenization of the air and aerosol volatiles, and to increase the turbulence of their flow.

[0076] The aerosol-cooling element may be made of a material having a relatively high heat capacity, such that the aerosol-cooling element is able to absorb heat energy carried by the aerosol flowing through the article without causing a substantial increase in the temperature of the aerosol-cooling element. For example, the aerosol-cooling element may be made of a cellulose-based compound, including a thermoplastic paper compound. As another example, the aerosol-cooling element may be made of polylactic acid (PLA) or polyhydroxymalonic acid (PHA).

[0077] In some embodiments, the transverse wall has a single opening, more preferably a substantially central single opening. The central opening preferably has an equivalent diameter of at least about 0.2 mm. More preferably, the central opening has an equivalent diameter of at least about 0.3 mm.

[0078] The central opening preferably has an equivalent diameter of less than or equal to about 0.8 mm. More preferably, the central opening has an equivalent diameter of less than or equal to about 0.6 mm.

[0079] In some preferred embodiments, the central opening has an equivalent diameter of about 0.2 mm to about 0.8 mm, more preferably 0.2 mm to about 0.6 mm. In other embodiments, the central opening preferably has an equivalent diameter of about 0.3 mm to about 0.8 mm, more preferably about 0.3 mm to about 0.6 mm.

[0080] In other embodiments, the transverse wall has a plurality of openings. Preferably, the transverse wall has a plurality of openings that are substantially equally spaced circumferentially. For example, four, six, eight, ten, twelve substantially equally spaced circumferentially spaced openings may be provided in the transverse wall.

[0081] In these embodiments, each opening preferably has an equivalent diameter of at least about 0.1 mm. More preferably, each opening has an equivalent diameter of at least about 0.2 mm. In these embodiments, each opening preferably has an equivalent diameter of less than or equal to about 0.7 mm. More preferably, each opening has an equivalent diameter of less than or equal to about 0.5 mm. In preferred embodiments, each opening has an equivalent diameter of about 0.1 mm to about 0.7 mm, or about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, more preferably about 0.2 mm to about 0.7 mm, or about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm.

[0082] In some embodiments, the plurality of openings may all be arranged at the same radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-cooling element. In other embodiments, the plurality of openings may comprise subsets of openings, the openings in each subset being arranged at a different radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-cooling element.

[0083] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the transverse wall may comprise a first subset of substantially equally spaced circumferentially spaced openings at a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-cooling element (e.g. a subset of four openings), and a second subset of substantially equally spaced circumferentially spaced openings at a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-cooling element (e.g. a subset of six openings), the second radial distance being greater than the first radial distance. This may achieve a particularly uniform distribution of the airflow and volatile aerosol substances through the aerosol-cooling element.

[0084] In another embodiment, the transverse wall has a plurality of substantially radial slits extending from the center of the transverse wall over a length less than the radius of the transverse wall. As used herein, the expression "substantially radial" is used to describe slits extending from the center of the transverse wall substantially along the radius of the aerosol-generating article. The length of the radial slits is less than the radius of the hollow tubular segment. In other words, the radial slits extend from the center of the transverse wall to a position midway between the center of the transverse wall and the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment.

[0085] The cross-sectional shape of the slits may be substantially rectangular or triangular. For example, the transverse wall may comprise three, four, five, six, eight, ten or twelve substantially radial slits. Thus, when viewed from the end of the aerosol-cooling element, the plurality of substantially radial slits may appear to define a star-shaped or asterisk-shaped opening in the transverse wall.

[0086] The thickness of the transverse wall as measured along the longitudinal axis of the article may be substantially constant. Alternatively, the thickness of the transverse wall varies radially and is greatest at the periphery of the transverse wall. In some embodiments, the transverse wall is shaped so as to define a substantially conical or chamfered or frustoconical portion of an upstream cavity and a downstream cavity adjacent to the transverse wall. Thus, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment tapers to some extent towards the transverse wall. This may advantageously facilitate concentrating the airflow at the core of the aerosol-cooling element so that the air and volatile aerosol material are gradually directed towards one or more openings in the transverse wall.

[0087] The length of the aerosol-cooling element may be about 5 mm to about 35 mm. In some embodiments, the length of the aerosol-cooling element may be about 5 mm to about 25 mm, or about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or about 5 mm to about 19 mm.

[0088] Preferably, the length of the aerosol-cooling element is at least about 8 mm. More preferably, the length of the aerosol-cooling element is at least about 9 mm. The length of the aerosol-cooling element is preferably less than or equal to about 30 mm. More preferably, the length of the aerosol-cooling element is less than or equal to about 25 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the aerosol-cooling element is less than or equal to about 20 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the length of the aerosol-cooling element is less than or equal to 19 mm.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment, the length of the aerosol heating element is about 8 mm to about 30 mm, or about 8 mm to about 25 mm, or about 8 mm to about 20 mm, or about 8 mm to about 19 mm, more preferably about 9 mm to about 30 mm, or about 9 mm to about 25 mm, or about 9 mm to about 20 mm, or about 9 mm to about 19 mm.

[0090] Preferably, the length of the first cavity is smaller than the length of the second cavity.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is at least about 0.15. More preferably, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is at least about 0.20. Even more preferably, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is at least about 0.25. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is at least about 0.33.

[0092] Preferably, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is less than or equal to about 0.95. More preferably, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is less than or equal to about 0.9. Even more preferably, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is less than or equal to about 0.8.

[0093] In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is about 0.15 to about 0.95, or about 0.15 to about 0.9, or about 0.15 to about 0.8. In other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is about 0.20 to about 0.95, or about 0.20 to about 0.9, or about 0.20 to about 0.8. In further embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is about 0.25 to about 0.95, or about 0.25 to about 0.9, or about 0.25 to about 0.8. In some other embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is about 0.33 to about 0.95, or about 0.33 to about 0.9, or about 0.33 to about 0.8.

[0094] In particularly preferred embodiments, the ratio between the length of the first lumen and the length of the second lumen is from about 0.15 to about 0.95, more preferably from about 0.2 to about 0.9, and even more preferably from about 0.25 to about 0.8.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio between the length of the first lumen and the length of the second lumen is about 0.72. In another embodiment, the ratio between the length of the first lumen and the length of the second lumen is about 0.8.

[0096] Preferably, the length of the first cavity is at least about 3 mm. More preferably, the length of the first cavity is at least about 4 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the first cavity is at least about 5 mm. The length of the first cavity is preferably less than or equal to about 13 mm. More preferably, the length of the second cavity is less than or equal to about 8 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the first cavity is less than or equal to 7 mm.

[0097] In some embodiments, the length of the first cavity is about 3 mm to about 13 mm, or about 3 mm to about 8 mm, or about 3 mm to about 7 mm. In other embodiments, the length of the first cavity is about 4 mm to about 13 mm, or about 4 mm to about 8 mm, or about 4 mm to about 7 mm. In other embodiments, the length of the first cavity is about 5 mm to about 13 mm, or about 5 mm to about 8 mm, or about 5 mm to about 7 mm.

[0098] In some preferred embodiments, the length of the first cavity is from about 3 mm to about 13 mm, more preferably from about 4 mm to about 8 mm, and even more preferably from about 5 mm to about 7 mm.

[0099] Preferably, the length of the second cavity is at least about 4 mm. More preferably, the length of the second cavity is at least about 5 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the second cavity is at least about 6 mm. The length of the second cavity is preferably less than or equal to about 17 mm. More preferably, the length of the second cavity is less than or equal to about 11 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the second cavity is less than or equal to 10 mm.

[0100] In some embodiments, the length of the second cavity is about 4 mm to about 17 mm, or about 4 mm to about 11 mm, or about 4 mm to about 10 mm. In other embodiments, the length of the second cavity is about 5 mm to about 17 mm, or about 5 mm to about 11 mm, or about 5 mm to about 10 mm. In other embodiments, the length of the second cavity is about 6 mm to about 17 mm, or about 6 mm to about 11 mm, or about 6 mm to about 10 mm.

[0101] In some preferred embodiments, the length of the second cavity is from about 4 mm to about 17 mm, more preferably from about 5 mm to about 11 mm, and even more preferably from about 6 mm to about 10 mm.

[0102] Preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 0.2 mm. More preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 0.5 mm. Even more preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 1 mm. The thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is preferably less than or equal to 3.5 mm. More preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is less than or equal to 3 mm. Even more preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is less than or equal to about 2.5 mm.

[0103] In some embodiments, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is about 0.2 mm to about 3.5 mm, or about 0.2 mm to about 3 mm, or about 0.2 mm to about 2.5 mm. In other embodiments, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is about 0.5 mm to about 3.5 mm, or about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, or about 0.5 mm to about 2.5 mm. In other embodiments, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is about 1 mm to about 3.5 mm, or about 1 mm to about 3 mm, or about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm.

[0104] In some preferred embodiments, the length of the circumferential wall of the hollow tubular segment is from about 0.2 mm to about 3.5 mm, more preferably from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, and even more preferably from about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm.

[0105] Preferably, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 3 mm. More preferably, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 4 mm. Even more preferably, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 5 mm. The outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is preferably less than or equal to about 13 mm. More preferably, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is preferably less than or equal to about 10 mm. Even more preferably, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is less than or equal to about 8 mm.

[0106] In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is about 3 mm to about 13 mm, or about 3 mm to about 10 mm, or about 3 mm to about 8 mm. In other embodiments, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is about 4 mm to about 13 mm, or about 4 mm to about 10 mm, or about 4 mm to about 8 mm. In other embodiments, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is about 5 mm to about 13 mm, or about 5 mm to about 10 mm, or about 5 mm to about 8 mm.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is about 3 mm to about 13 mm, more preferably about 4 mm to about 10 mm, even more preferably about 5 mm to about 8 mm. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is preferably about 4 mm to about 8 mm.

[0108] Preferably, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 2 millimeters. More preferably, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 3 millimeters. Even more preferably, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least about 4 millimeters. The inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is preferably less than or equal to about 10 millimeters. More preferably, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is less than or equal to about 7.5 millimeters. Even more preferably, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is less than or equal to about 6 millimeters.

[0109] In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is about 2 mm to about 10 mm, or about 2 mm to about 7.5 mm, or about 2 mm to about 6 mm. In other embodiments, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is about 3 mm to about 10 mm, or about 3 mm to about 7.5 mm, or about 3 mm to about 6 mm. In other embodiments, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is about 4 mm to about 10 mm, or about 4 mm to about 7.5 mm, or about 4 mm to about 6 mm.

[0110] In a preferred embodiment, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is about 2 mm to about 10 mm, more preferably about 3 mm to about 7.5 mm, even more preferably about 4 mm to about 6 mm. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment is preferably about 3 mm to about 7.5 mm.

[0111] The total length of the aerosol-generating article is preferably at least about 35 mm. More preferably, the total length of the aerosol-generating article is at least about 40 mm. Even more preferably, the total length of the aerosol-generating article is at least about 45 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the total length of the aerosol-generating article is preferably less than or equal to about 100 mm. More preferably, the total length of the aerosol-generating article is less than or equal to about 80 mm. Even more preferably, the total length of the aerosol-generating article is less than or equal to about 75 mm. Most preferably, the total length of the aerosol-generating article is less than or equal to about 70 mm.

[0112] In some embodiments, the total length of the aerosol-generating article is from about 35 mm to about 100 mm, or from about 35 mm to about 80 mm, or from about 35 mm to about 75 mm, or from about 35 mm to about 70 mm. In other embodiments, the total length of the aerosol-generating article is from about 40 mm to about 100 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 80 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 75 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 70 mm. In further embodiments, the total length of the aerosol-generating article is from about 45 mm to about 100 mm, or from about 45 mm to about 80 mm, or from about 45 mm to about 75 mm, or from about 45 mm to about 70 mm.

[0113] In particularly preferred embodiments, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article is from about 35 mm to about 80 mm, more preferably from about 40 mm to about 75 mm, even more preferably from about 45 mm to about 70 mm.

[0114] As briefly described above, the aerosol generating article may include an additional component between the hollow tubular support element and the aerosol cooling element. In some embodiments, the additional component may be an additional aerosol cooling element (also referred to herein as a "secondary" aerosol cooling element), which is suitable for inducing the cooling of the airflow entering from the aerosol generating substrate, so as to facilitate the condensation of the compounds released from the substrate, so that they condense to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the secondary aerosol cooling element may be in the form of a polymeric material (such as polylactic acid (PLA)) that is gathered, optionally curled, and defines a plurality of channels extending longitudinally. In fact, the sheet of PLA can be "curled" to form substantially parallel ridges or ripples. Then, the curled PLA sheet can be collected, convoluted, wrinkled or folded, or otherwise compressed or contracted substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis so that the substantially parallel ridges or ripples extend in the longitudinal direction. Without wishing to be bound by theory, such a gathered curled polymeric material sheet can substantially act as a heat exchanger.

[0115] Preferably, the additional aerosol-cooling element has a length of at least about 4 mm. More preferably, the additional aerosol-cooling element has a length of at least about 6 mm. Even more preferably, the additional aerosol-cooling element has a length of at least about 9 mm. The length of the additional aerosol-cooling element is preferably less than or equal to about 25 mm. More preferably, the length of the additional aerosol-cooling element is preferably less than or equal to about 20 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the additional aerosol-cooling element is preferably less than or equal to about 15 mm.

[0116] In some embodiments, the additional aerosol-cooling element may have a length of about 4 mm to about 25 mm, or about 4 mm to about 20 mm, or about 4 mm to about 15 mm. In other embodiments, the additional aerosol-cooling element may have a length of about 6 mm to about 25 mm, or about 6 mm to about 20 mm, or about 6 mm to about 15 mm. In further embodiments, the additional aerosol-cooling element may have a length of about 9 mm to about 25 mm, or about 9 mm to about 20 mm, or about 9 mm to about 15 mm.

[0117] In some preferred embodiments, the additional aerosol-cooling element may have a length of from about 4 mm to about 25 mm, more preferably from about 6 mm to about 20 mm, from about 9 mm to about 15 mm.

[0118] The components of the aerosol generating article according to the present invention may be individually defined by a wrapper. The wrapper may be formed of a porous or non-porous sheet material. The wrapper may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials. Preferably, the wrapper is a paper wrapper. However, two or more components may also be defined by the same wrapper. In addition, the strips of aerosol generating substrate and other components are typically assembled in a single wrapper. For example, in an embodiment, the aerosol generating article comprises a strip of aerosol generating substrate arranged in a linear order, a tubular support element, an aerosol cooling element as described above, and an outer wrapper defining the strip, the support element, and the aerosol cooling element. In another embodiment, the aerosol generating article comprises a strip of aerosol generating substrate arranged in a linear order, a tubular support element, a secondary aerosol cooling element, an aerosol cooling element as described above, and an outer wrapper defining the strip, the support element, and the aerosol cooling element.

[0119] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article comprises a ventilation zone at a location along the aerosol-cooling element.Preferably, the aerosol-generating article comprises a ventilation zone at a location along the length of the aerosol-cooling element.

[0120] In some embodiments, the ventilation zone is provided at a location along the upstream cavity. Thus, fluid communication is established between the external environment and the upstream cavity, so that when a consumer draws on the aerosol-generating article, some ambient air is drawn into the upstream cavity through the ventilation holes formed through the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment. This is advantageous because the temperature of the aerosol can be reduced by mixing the ambient air with the incoming aerosol flow, and condensation or growth, or both, of the aerosol particles can be facilitated. Likewise, the flow of ambient air through the peripheral wall of the aerosol-cooling element can further facilitate maintaining the temperature of the peripheral wall below a desired threshold.

[0121] In other embodiments, the ventilation zone is provided at a position along the length of the aerosol-cooling element such that fluid communication is established between the external environment and the downstream cavity. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ventilation zone comprises a plurality of holes extending through the peripheral wall and the transverse wall of the aerosol-cooling element such that an inclined airflow duct is formed connecting the external environment with the downstream cavity. This may be particularly convenient for maintaining the temperature of the peripheral wall of the aerosol-cooling element below a desired threshold, particularly at a position near the transverse wall where heat transfer is expected to be greatest.

[0122] The aerosol generating article as described above may be used in an electrically operated aerosol generating device as part of an aerosol generating system according to another aspect of the invention. One such aerosol generating system comprises an aerosol generating article as described above and an electrically operated aerosol generating device, the electrically operated aerosol generating device comprising a heating element and an elongated heating chamber configured to receive the aerosol generating article so that the strip of aerosol generating substrate is heated in the heating chamber. Preferably, the heating element comprises a heater blade or a heater needle adapted to be inserted into the strip of aerosol generating substrate when the aerosol generating article is received in the heating chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0123] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0124] Figure 1 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0125] Figure 2 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0126] Figure 3 , 4 , 5, 6, 7 and 8 show the views taken along plane AA. Figure 1 schematic cross-sectional views of variations of an aerosol-generating article showing different arrangements of transverse walls of the aerosol-cooling element; and

[0127] Fig. 9 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating system comprising an electrically operated aerosol generating device and Figure 1 The aerosol-generating article shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0128] Figure 1The aerosol-generating article 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a strip 12 of an aerosol-generating substrate, a tubular support element 14, and an aerosol-cooling element 16. These three elements are arranged sequentially and coaxially aligned, and are defined by a wrapper 18 to form the aerosol-generating article 10. The aerosol-generating article 10 has an orifice or downstream end 20, and an upstream end 22 located at the opposite end of the article from the orifice 20. Figure 1 The aerosol-generating article 10 shown in is particularly suitable for use with an electrically operated aerosol-generating device that includes a heater for heating a strip of aerosol-generating substrate.

[0129] The rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate has a length of about 12 mm and a diameter of about 7 mm. The rod 12 is cylindrical and has a substantially circular cross-section.

[0130] The tubular support element 14 is provided as a hollow cellulose acetate tube. The tubular support element 14 has a length of about 8 mm. The outer diameter of the tubular support element 14 is about 7 mm. The peripheral wall of the tubular support element 14 has a thickness of about 1.85 mm.

[0131] The aerosol-cooling element 16 is made of a cellulose-based thermoplastic compound and has an overall length of about 14 mm. The aerosol-cooling element 16 comprises a hollow tubular segment comprising a peripheral wall 24 having a thickness of about 0.5 mm. Furthermore, the hollow tubular segment comprises a transverse wall 26 at a position between the upstream end and the downstream end of the hollow tubular segment. Thus, the hollow tubular segment defines a first cavity 28 upstream of the transverse wall 26 and a second cavity 30 downstream of the transverse wall 26.

[0132] An opening 32 is formed in the transverse wall 26 to establish fluid communication between the first cavity 28 and the second cavity 30. The first upstream cavity 28 has a length of about 6 mm. The second downstream cavity 30 has a length of about 8 mm. Thus, the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is about 0.75.

[0133] The opening 32 is arranged at a central position in the transverse wall 26 and has an equivalent diameter of approximately 0.5 mm.

[0134] Figure 2 Another embodiment of an aerosol generating article 50 according to the present invention is shown. The aerosol generating article 50 is similar to Figure 1 The invention relates to an aerosol-generating article 10 of the present invention and will be described below only insofar as it differs from the aerosol-generating article 10. Where possible, the same reference numerals will be used to identify parts of the article that are present in both embodiments.

[0135] Figure 2The aerosol-generating article 50 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a strip of aerosol-generating substrate 12, a tubular support element 14, and an aerosol-cooling element 16. In addition, the aerosol-generating article 50 comprises a secondary aerosol-cooling element 40 between the tubular support element 14 and the aerosol-cooling element 16. All four elements are sequentially arranged and coaxially aligned, and are defined by a wrapper 18 to form the aerosol-generating article 50. The aerosol-generating article 50 has an orifice or downstream end 20, and an upstream end 22 located at the opposite end of the article from the orifice 20.

[0136] The secondary aerosol-cooling element 40 comprises a gathered curled sheet of PLA defining a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. The arrows schematically show the direction of flow of the aerosol flowing through the article. After traveling through the secondary aerosol-cooling element, the aerosol flow is focused through the openings 32 in the transverse wall 26 before being more widely distributed into the downstream cavity 30 of the aerosol-cooling element 16 and before reaching the mouth of the consumer.

[0137] Figures 3 to 8 Details of an alternative embodiment of an aerosol-generating article according to the present invention are shown. Specifically, Figures 3 to 8 With the help of Figure 1 and 2 The cross-sectional views taken in the plane of plane XX shown in , show different arrangements of the one or more openings in the transverse wall of the aerosol-cooling element.

[0138] Figures 3 to 5 An embodiment is shown in which the transverse wall comprises a plurality of substantially equally spaced circumferentially spaced openings 34 on top of the central opening. Figure 3 In the embodiment of , the plurality of openings 34 is provided as two subsets of openings provided at different radial distances from the central opening (that is, from the longitudinal axis of the article). Figure 4 and 5 In the embodiment of the invention, the transverse wall comprises only one set of circumferentially aligned openings 34. On the other hand, in Figures 6 to 8In embodiments of the invention, the transverse wall comprises a plurality of substantially radial slits 36 extending from a central position to a position between the centre and the periphery of the transverse wall. Thus, in these embodiments, the star-shaped or asterisk-shaped openings are effectively provided in the transverse wall. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it will be appreciated that by varying the size and position of the plurality of openings 32, 34, 36 in the transverse wall 26, it is possible to adjust and regulate the homogenisation and mixing of the air and volatile aerosol substances in the air prior to delivering the aerosol to the mouth of the consumer. At the same time, by concentrating the aerosol flow at a position more or less close to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article, it is possible to favour heat transfer from the aerosol to a selected portion of the transverse wall over heat transfer from the aerosol to the peripheral wall of the aerosol-cooling element. Thus, advantageously, it is easy to ensure that the surface of the article in contact with the mouth of the consumer during use does not reach a temperature above a given threshold.

[0139] Fig. 9 A portion of an electrically operated aerosol generating system 200 is shown, which utilizes a heater blade 210 to heat Figure 1 The strip 12 of aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article 10 shown in FIG. The heater blade 210 is mounted in the aerosol-generating article chamber within the housing of the electrically operated aerosol-generating device 212. The aerosol-generating device 212 defines a plurality of air holes 214 for allowing air to flow to the aerosol-generating article 10, such as Fig. 9 As shown by the arrow in FIG. 2 . The aerosol generating device 212 includes Fig. 9 The power supply and electronics are shown in FIG.

[0140] Figure 1 The aerosol generating article 10 shown is designed to be used with Fig. 9 The aerosol generating device 212 is shown engaged for consumption.

[0141] The user inserts the aerosol-generating article 10 into the aerosol-generating device 212 such that the heater blade 210 is inserted into the strip of aerosol-generating substrate 12. The aerosol-cooling element 16 protrudes outwardly from the mouth end of the device 212. Once the aerosol-generating article 10 is engaged with the aerosol-generating device 212, the user draws on the aerosol-cooling element 16 defining the mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating article 10, and the strip of aerosol-generating substrate 12 is heated by the heater blade 210 to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the strip of aerosol-generating substrate 12. The aerosol is drawn through the aerosol-cooling element 16 and into the user's mouth.

[0142] It should be recognized that Figure 1 The aerosol-generating article 10 shown in FIG. 1 may also be suitable for use with other types of aerosol-generating devices.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating article for generating an aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a strip of an aerosol-generating substrate comprising an aerosol-forming agent, the aerosol-generating substrate having an aerosol-forming agent content of greater than 10% by dry weight; a hollow tubular support element positioned immediately downstream of the strip of aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the hollow tubular support element has a length of from 10 mm to 60 mm; an aerosol-cooling element positioned immediately downstream of the hollow tubular support element, the aerosol-cooling element extending to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article such that the aerosol-cooling element defines a mouth end portion of the article and is capable of being inhaled by a consumer during use; wherein the aerosol-cooling element comprises a hollow tubular segment having a transverse wall at a location between an upstream end and a downstream end of the hollow tubular segment such that the hollow tubular segment defines a first cavity upstream of the transverse wall and a second cavity downstream of the transverse wall; wherein the transverse wall includes one or more openings establishing fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity, and wherein the thickness of the transverse wall varies radially and is greatest at a periphery of the transverse wall such that adjacent to the transverse wall forming a tapered or chamfered or frustoconical portion of the first cavity and the second cavity, the inner diameter of the hollow tubular segment tapers toward the transverse wall; wherein the transverse wall has a single central opening having an equivalent diameter of 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm, and / or the transverse wall has a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of openings having an equivalent diameter of 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm; The aerosol-cooling element has a length of 8 mm to 35 mm.

2. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the transverse wall has a single central opening provided therein, the single central opening having an equivalent diameter of between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm.

3. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transverse wall has a plurality of openings equally spaced circumferentially, each opening having an equivalent diameter of between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm.

4. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the transverse wall has a plurality of radial slits extending from the center of the transverse wall over a length less than the radius of the transverse wall.

5. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol-cooling element has a length of at least 9 mm.

6. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol-cooling element has a length of less than 20 mm.

7. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the first cavity is less than the length of the second cavity.

8. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio between the length of the first cavity and the length of the second cavity is from 0.15 to 0.

8.

9. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the first cavity is at least 3 mm.

10. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the first cavity is less than 13 mm.

11. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second cavity has a length of at least 5 mm.

12. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the second cavity is less than 17 mm.

13. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular segment is at least 2 mm.

14. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer diameter of the hollow tubular segment is at least 3 mm.

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