Aerosol generating device with a ventilation chamber

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device (20) is provided that is configured to receive an aerosol-generating article (1). The aerosol-generating device has a distal end and a mouth end (2), and includes a housing (4) and a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is received in a device cavity. The housing includes a peripheral wall (6). The peripheral wall defines a device cavity for removably receiving the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end of the device. The housing further includes a ventilation chamber (28). The ventilation chamber is defined within the peripheral wall. The ventilation chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article received in the device cavity. The ventilation chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol-generating device through a chamber inlet (24) defined in the housing. The chamber inlet has a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the ventilation chamber. The chamber inlet extends between the ventilation chamber and the mouth end of the aerosol-generating device. The length of the ventilation chamber is less than or equal to 8 mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device configured to receive an aerosol generating article and having a ventilation chamber. The present application also describes an aerosol generating system comprising such an aerosol generating device. Background Art

[0002] Aerosol generating articles are known in the art, in which an aerosol forming substrate such as a tobacco-containing substrate is heated rather than burned. Generally, in such heated smoking articles, an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from a heat source to a physically separated aerosol forming substrate or material, which may be positioned in contact with, inside, 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 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, in which an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from one or more electrical heater elements of the aerosol generating device to the aerosol forming substrate of the heated aerosol generating article.

[0004] However, when an aerosol generating article having ventilation orifices (referred to as "ventilation zones") on its outer packaging material is received within a known aerosol generating device, such ventilation orifices may be exposed to the external environment of the device. During use of the article within the device, the ventilation orifices can provide a beneficial dilution of the aerosol flowing through the article for delivery to the consumer, and a ventilation airflow that can reduce the temperature of the generated aerosol.

[0005] Exposure of the ventilation orifices can cause the consumer to inadvertently block the ventilation orifices of the article with their fingers or lips during normal use of the aerosol generating system. In turn, such blockage can affect the consumer's sensory experience by increasing the effective draw resistance of the article and hindering optimal aerosol formation and cooling. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an aerosol generating device that addresses at least this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating device configured to receive an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device has a distal end and a mouth end, and includes a housing and a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is received in the device cavity. The housing includes a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall defines a device cavity for removably receiving the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end of the device. The housing further includes a ventilation chamber. The ventilation chamber is defined within the peripheral wall. The ventilation chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article received in the device cavity. The ventilation chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol-generating device through a chamber inlet defined in the housing. The chamber inlet has a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the ventilation chamber. The chamber inlet extends between the ventilation chamber and the mouth end of the aerosol-generating device. The length of the ventilation chamber is less than or equal to about 8 mm.

[0007] According to the present application, there can be provided an aerosol-generating device configured to receive an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may have a distal end and a mouth end. The aerosol-generating device may include a housing. The aerosol-generating device may include a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is received in the device cavity. The housing may include a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall may define a device cavity for removably receiving the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end of the device. The housing may include a ventilation chamber. The ventilation chamber may be defined within the peripheral wall. The ventilation chamber may be configured to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article received in the device cavity. The ventilation chamber may be configured to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol-generating device through a chamber inlet defined in the housing. The chamber inlet may have a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the ventilation chamber.

[0008] The aerosol-generating device may include a heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is received in the device cavity.

[0009] The term "mouth end" refers to the part of an element or component that is configured to be located in or near the user's mouth during normal use of the element or component. The mouth end may also correspond to the downstream end. For example, the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article may also be the downstream end of the article. The mouth end of the aerosol-generating article or device is configured to be placed in or near the consumer's mouth during normal use. The mouth end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device. The mouth end of the aerosol-generating device may refer to the mouth end face of the aerosol-generating device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. Thus, the open end of the device cavity may be defined in the mouth end face of the aerosol-generating device.

[0010] By providing a ventilation chamber within the peripheral wall of an aerosol-generating device, a portion of the aerosol-generating article that is received within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and overlapped or surrounded by the ventilation chamber can be cooled during use. The packaging material of the aerosol-generating article can be porous to allow air entering the ventilation chamber to also enter the aerosol-generating article in order to provide such a cooling effect. This cooling effect can also improve the formation and nucleation of the aerosol within the aerosol-generating article during use when the aerosol-generating article is received within the aerosol-generating device. This enhancement of aerosol nucleation can provide an improved sensory experience for the consumer. Further, by providing a relatively short ventilation chamber having a length less than or equal to about 8 mm, a shorter overlap between the aerosol-generating article and the ventilation chamber of the aerosol-generating device is achieved. Accordingly, a more directional and local portion of the aerosol-generating article is cooled when received within the device, and thus the cooling effect produced by the cooling air entering the ventilation chamber can be more effective on such a portion.

[0011] In addition, during use of the aerosol-generating article, the generated aerosol can accumulate within the ventilation chamber. This accumulated aerosol can provide a supplementary source of aerosol for the consumer to inhale during use. This further improves the user's sensory experience.

[0012] During use, a consumer can draw on the aerosol-generating article, preferably at the mouth end of the article. Air can pass through the chamber inlet and flow into the ventilation chamber around the article towards the aerosol-forming substrate of the article. The air flow can pass through the aerosol-forming substrate of the article in order to provide aerosol to the consumer at the mouth end of the article.

[0013] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device that includes a heater element that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.

[0014] The housing of the aerosol-generating device can extend between the distal end and the mouth end of the device. The housing of the aerosol-generating device can extend from the distal end of the device to the mouth end.

[0015] As used herein, the term "longitudinal" refers to a direction corresponding to the main longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article or device, which extends between the upstream end and the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article or aerosol-generating device.

[0016] As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" describe the relative position of an element or portion of an element of the aerosol-generating article or device with respect to the direction in which the aerosol is conveyed through the aerosol-generating article during use.

[0017] During use, air is drawn longitudinally through the aerosol-generating article. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Unless otherwise specified, any reference to a "cross-section" of the aerosol-generating article or a component of the aerosol-generating article refers to a transverse cross-section.

[0018] The term "length" denotes the dimension of the aerosol-generating article or a component of the device in the longitudinal direction.

[0019] As used in this specification, the term "homogeneous tobacco material" encompasses any tobacco material formed by the coalescence of tobacco material particles. Sheets or webs of homogeneous tobacco material are formed by coalescing particulate tobacco obtained by grinding or otherwise pulverizing one or both of tobacco leaves and tobacco stems. Additionally, the homogeneous tobacco material may include small amounts of one or more of tobacco dust, tobacco fines, and other particulate tobacco by-products formed during the handling, processing, and transportation of tobacco. Sheets of homogeneous tobacco material can be produced by casting, extrusion, papermaking processes, or any other suitable process known in the art.

[0020] The term "porous" is used herein to refer to a material that provides a plurality of holes or openings that permit air to pass through the material.

[0021] The expression "received within" can refer to the fact that a component or element is received fully or partially within another component or element. For example, the expression "the aerosol-generating article is received within the device cavity" means that the aerosol-generating article is received fully or partially within the device cavity of the aerosol-generating article. When the aerosol-generating article is received within the device cavity, the aerosol-generating article may abut the distal end of the device cavity. When the aerosol-generating article is received within the device cavity, the aerosol-generating article may be substantially proximate to the distal end of the device cavity. The distal end of the device cavity may be defined by an end wall.

[0022] The length of the device cavity can be between about 10 mm and about 50 mm. The length of the device cavity can be between about 20 mm and about 40 mm. The length of the device cavity can be between about 25 mm and about 30 mm.

[0023] The term "mouth end" refers to the part of an element or component that is configured to be in or near the user's mouth during normal use. The mouth end may also correspond to the downstream end. For example, the mouth end of an aerosol-generating article may also be the downstream end of the article. The mouth end of the aerosol-generating article or device is configured to be placed in or near the consumer's mouth during normal use. The mouth end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device. The mouth end of the aerosol-generating device may refer to the mouth end face of the aerosol-generating device that is configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. Thus, the open end of the device cavity may be defined at the mouth end face of the aerosol-generating device.

[0024] The ventilation chamber may preferably be located at a longitudinal position away from the mouth end of the aerosol generating device. Preferably, the ventilation chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol generating device via the mouth end of the aerosol generating device. Preferably, the ventilation chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol generating device via the mouth end face of the aerosol generating device. In other words, air is configured to enter the ventilation chamber via the mouth end or the mouth end face of the aerosol generating device.

[0025] In this context, the expression "longitudinal position away from the mouth end of the aerosol generating device" means a longitudinal position that is not located at the mouth end of the aerosol generating device. Thus, a longitudinal position away from the mouth end of the aerosol generating device is a longitudinal position that is different (or at a certain distance) from the longitudinal position of the mouth end of the aerosol generating device.

[0026] By providing a ventilation chamber away from the mouth end of the aerosol generating device, the ventilation chamber can form a cavity or space around the aerosol generating article received within the cavity of the device and away from the mouth end of the device. When the aerosol generating article is received with the article, this ventilation chamber is in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol generating article. The exterior of the aerosol generating article may be defined by a packaging material. The packaging material may be porous. The packaging material may be porous enough to allow air from the ventilation chamber to enter the aerosol generating article. By allowing air to enter, the ventilation chamber can promote cooling of the article, which can enhance nucleation of aerosol particles within the article. When located at a longitudinal position away from the mouth end, the ventilation chamber can be more likely to promote nucleation because the ventilation chamber is more likely to overlap with a more upstream portion of the aerosol generating article, closer to where aerosol generation occurs. Thus, this positioning of the ventilation chamber can improve aerosol delivery to the consumer.

[0027] In such embodiments, the ventilation chamber has two ends, a first end and a second end. The second end of the ventilation chamber is closer to the mouth end of the device than the first end of the ventilation chamber. In such embodiments, both ends of the ventilation chamber are positioned away from the mouth end of the aerosol generating device. In other words, the second end is not located at the mouth end of the device.

[0028] In such embodiments, the chamber inlet may extend between the ventilation chamber and the mouth end of the aerosol generating device. The chamber inlet may extend between the second end of the ventilation chamber and the mouth end of the aerosol generating device.

[0029] The second end of the ventilation chamber may be located at least about 1 mm from the mouth end (face) of the aerosol generating device (or the open end of the device cavity). The second end of the ventilation chamber may be located at least about 2 mm from the mouth end (face) of the aerosol generating device. The second end of the ventilation chamber may be located at least about 3 mm from the mouth end (face) of the aerosol generating device.

[0030] The first end of the ventilation chamber can be located at least about 10 mm from the distal end of the device cavity. The first end of the ventilation chamber can be located at least about 20 mm from the distal end of the device cavity. The first end of the ventilation chamber can be located at least about 30 mm from the distal end of the device cavity.

[0031] The chamber inlet can be an element separate from the device cavity. In other words, the chamber inlet can not be defined by the device cavity, but can instead be defined in the housing. The chamber inlet can be defined within the peripheral wall that defines the device cavity. Preferably, the chamber inlet is defined within the thickness of the peripheral wall or on the peripheral wall. In other words, the chamber inlet can be defined on the surface of the peripheral wall (e.g., the inner surface or internal surface) or within the thickness of the peripheral wall, at a position between the inner longitudinal surface and the outer longitudinal surface of the peripheral wall.

[0032] The chamber inlet enables fluid communication between the exterior of the aerosol generating device and the ventilation chamber. Thus, air from outside the device can be in fluid communication with the packaging material of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is received within the device. This fluid communication enhances aerosol generation by promoting nucleation and cooling the aerosol produced in the article.

[0033] When the aerosol generating article has a ventilation zone on the packaging material, air entering the ventilation chamber from the exterior of the aerosol generating device through the chamber inlet can pass through the ventilation zone of the article. This provides ventilation for the aerosol generating article.

[0034] In addition, the aerosol produced may accumulate in the ventilation chamber. This accumulation of aerosol can enhance the consumer experience by providing a supplementary source of aerosol. The consumer can use this supplementary source of aerosol.

[0035] In some embodiments, the chamber inlet can extend between the ventilation chamber and the mouth end of the aerosol generating device. This enables air to flow from the exterior of the device through the chamber inlet to the ventilation chamber and minimizes the likelihood of the user's fingers blocking when holding the aerosol generating device, as the chamber inlet will not be located around the perimeter of the device housing, but will preferably extend from the mouth end face of the device.

[0036] The chamber inlet can extend in any direction from the ventilation chamber to establish a fluid connection between the ventilation chamber and the exterior of the device. The chamber inlet can extend substantially along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. The chamber inlet can extend substantially along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device.

[0037] The chamber inlet can have a circular cross-section. The chamber inlet can have an annular cross-section. The chamber inlet can have a cross-section of an annular sector. "Annular sector" refers to a part or segment of an annular shape or ring.

[0038] The chamber entrance and the ventilation chamber can have the same cross-sectional shape. For example, the ventilation chamber can be annular, and the chamber entrance can be annular. For example, the ventilation chamber can be circular, and the chamber entrance can also be circular. Alternatively, the chamber entrance and the ventilation chamber can have different cross-sectional shapes. For example, the chamber entrance can be circular, and the ventilation chamber can be annular.

[0039] The cross-sectional area of the chamber entrance can be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber. The cross-sectional area of the chamber entrance can vary along the longitudinal direction.

[0040] The chamber entrance can be cylindrical or conical.

[0041] The cross-sectional area of the chamber entrance can be less than or equal to about 75% of the cross-sectional area of the ventilation cavity. The cross-sectional area of the chamber entrance can be less than or equal to about 50% of the cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber. The cross-sectional area of the chamber entrance can be less than or equal to about 25% of the cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber. The cross-sectional area of the chamber entrance can be less than or equal to about 20% of the cross-sectional area of the ventilation cavity. The cross-sectional area of the chamber entrance can be less than or equal to about 10% of the cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber. The cross-sectional area of the chamber entrance can be less than or equal to about 5% of the cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber.

[0042] The diameter of the chamber entrance can be equal to or greater than about 0.1 mm. The diameter of the chamber entrance can be equal to or greater than about 0.2 mm. The diameter of the chamber entrance can be equal to or greater than about 0.5 mm.

[0043] The diameter of the chamber entrance can be equal to or less than about 2 mm. The diameter of the chamber entrance can be equal to or less than about 1.5 mm. The diameter of the chamber entrance can be equal to or less than about 1 mm.

[0044] The diameter of the chamber entrance can be between about 0.1 mm and about 2 mm. The diameter of the chamber entrance can be between about 0.2 mm and about 1.5 mm. The diameter of the chamber entrance can be between about 0.5 mm and about 1 mm.

[0045] The ratio of the diameter of the chamber entrance to the depth of the ventilation chamber can be equal to or less than about 30. The ratio of the diameter of the chamber entrance to the depth of the ventilation chamber can be equal to or less than about 20. The ratio of the diameter of the chamber entrance to the depth of the ventilation chamber can be equal to or greater than about 15.

[0046] The ratio of the diameter of the chamber entrance to the depth of the ventilation chamber can be equal to or greater than about 2. The ratio of the diameter of the chamber entrance to the depth of the ventilation chamber can be equal to or greater than about 5. The ratio of the diameter of the chamber entrance to the depth of the ventilation chamber can be equal to or greater than about 10.

[0047] The range of the ratio of the diameter of the chamber entrance to the depth of the ventilation chamber can be between about 2 and about 30. The range of the ratio of the diameter of the chamber entrance to the depth of the ventilation chamber can be between about 5 and about 20. The range of the ratio of the diameter of the chamber entrance to the depth of the ventilation chamber can be between about 10 and about 15.

[0048] In the case of a change in the depth of the ventilation chamber, the depth of the ventilation chamber may refer to the average depth of the ventilation chamber. In the case of a change in the diameter of the chamber inlet, the diameter of the chamber inlet may refer to the average diameter of the chamber inlet.

[0049] The length of the chamber inlet may be equal to or greater than about 1 mm. The length of the chamber inlet may be equal to or greater than about 2 mm. The length of the chamber inlet may be equal to or greater than about 3 mm.

[0050] The length of the chamber inlet may be equal to or less than about 15 mm. The length of the chamber inlet may be equal to or less than about 10 mm. The length of the chamber inlet may be equal to or less than about 6 mm. The length of the chamber inlet may be equal to or less than about 4 mm.

[0051] The length of the chamber inlet may be between about 1 mm and about 15 mm. The length of the chamber inlet may be between about 1 mm and about 6 mm. The length of the chamber inlet may be between about 2 mm and about 6 mm. The length of the chamber inlet may be between about 3 mm and about 4 mm.

[0052] The length of the chamber inlet may define the distance of the ventilation chamber from the mouth end of the aerosol generating device.

[0053] There may be multiple chamber inlets. In such embodiments, the chamber inlets may be evenly and radially distributed around the mouth end of the device.

[0054] In some embodiments, the thickness of the portion of the peripheral wall defining the ventilation chamber may be different from the thickness of different portions of the peripheral wall.

[0055] In some embodiments, the thickness of the portion of the peripheral wall defining the ventilation chamber may be less than the thickness of different portions of the peripheral wall. In some embodiments, the thickness of the portion of the peripheral wall defining the ventilation chamber may be less than the thickness of the remaining portion of the peripheral wall.

[0056] In some embodiments, the thickness of the portion of the peripheral wall defining the ventilation chamber may vary along the longitudinal direction. In such embodiments, the portion of the peripheral wall defining the ventilation chamber may decrease towards the mouth end of the aerosol generating device. In such embodiments, the portion of the peripheral wall defining the ventilation chamber may increase towards the mouth end of the aerosol generating device.

[0057] The variation in the thickness of the peripheral wall enables the ventilation chamber to be defined within the peripheral wall of the device cavity. This change or difference in thickness provides a space between the aerosol generating article received within the device and the peripheral wall of the device cavity, which in turn allows air to flow between the peripheral wall and the received article. This permits the airflow to reach the ventilation zone or the packaging material of the article in order to provide ventilation or a cooling effect for the aerosol.

[0058] The ventilation chamber can be annular. The ventilation chamber can be a continuous annular chamber defined in the peripheral wall of the device housing. This enables the ventilation chamber to surround the entire packaging material or ventilation area of the received article, thereby maximizing the amount of overlap between the ventilation chamber and the ventilation area of the received aerosol-generating article. The greater the amount of overlap, the greater the ventilation provided to the aerosol-generating article received in the device. Additionally, an annular ventilation chamber can be manufactured simply and effectively.

[0059] The ventilation chamber can have a square, rectangular, or triangular longitudinal cross-section.

[0060] The ventilation chamber can be an annular portion (or sector) that partially surrounds the packaging material or ventilation area of the received aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device can include a plurality of ventilation chambers. Such a plurality of ventilation chambers can include a plurality of ventilation chambers arranged at different longitudinal positions or a plurality of ventilation chambers arranged at different circumferential positions.

[0061] The length of the ventilation chamber can be less than or equal to about 8 mm. The length of the ventilation chamber can be less than or equal to about 4 mm. The length of the ventilation chamber can be less than or equal to about 3 mm.

[0062] The length of the ventilation chamber can be greater than or equal to about 1 mm. The length of the ventilation chamber can be greater than or equal to about 2 mm. The length of the ventilation chamber can be greater than or equal to about 1 mm.

[0063] The length of the ventilation chamber can be between about 1 mm and about 8 mm. The length of the ventilation chamber can be between about 2 mm and about 4 mm. The length of the ventilation chamber can be between about 3 mm and about 4 mm.

[0064] The length of the ventilation chamber can be at least about 2.5% of the length of the device cavity. The length of the ventilation chamber can be at least about 5% of the length of the device cavity. The length of the ventilation chamber can be at least about 7.5% of the length of the device cavity. The length of the ventilation chamber can be at least about 10% of the length of the device cavity.

[0065] The length of the ventilation chamber can be less than about 40% of the length of the device cavity. The length of the ventilation chamber can be less than about 30% of the length of the device cavity. The length of the ventilation chamber can be less than about 25% of the length of the device cavity. The length of the ventilation chamber can be less than about 20% of the length of the device cavity. The length of the ventilation chamber can be less than about 15% of the length of the device cavity.

[0066] The length of the ventilation chamber can be between about 2.5% and about 40% of the length of the device cavity. The length of the ventilation chamber can be between about 5% and about 30% of the length of the device cavity. The length of the ventilation chamber can be between about 7.5% and about 25% of the length of the device cavity.

[0067] By providing a relatively short or small ventilation chamber, a relatively short or small overlap between the aerosol-generating article and the ventilation chamber of the aerosol-generating device can be achieved. Thus, a more directional and localized portion of the aerosol-generating article is cooled when received within the device, and thus the cooling effect from the cooling air entering the ventilation chamber can be more effective on this portion of the article.

[0068] The depth of the ventilation chamber refers to the radial distance that the ventilation chamber extends into the peripheral wall of the device housing. The depth of the ventilation chamber can be less than or equal to about 3 mm. The depth of the ventilation chamber can be less than or equal to about 2 mm. The depth of the ventilation chamber can be less than or equal to about 1.5 mm.

[0069] The depth of the ventilation chamber can be greater than or equal to about 0.5 mm. The depth of the ventilation chamber can be greater than or equal to about 1 mm.

[0070] The depth of the ventilation chamber can be between about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm. The depth of the ventilation chamber can be between about 1 mm and about 2 mm.

[0071] The cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber can be greater than or equal to about 5 square millimeters. The cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber can be greater than or equal to about 20 square millimeters. The cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber can be greater than or equal to about 50 square millimeters.

[0072] The cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber can be less than or equal to about 275 square millimeters. The cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber can be less than or equal to about 150 square millimeters.

[0073] The cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber can be between about 5 square millimeters and about 275 square millimeters. The cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber can be between about 20 square millimeters and about 150 square millimeters.

[0074] The thickness of the peripheral wall defining the device housing of the aerosol-generating device can be greater than or equal to about 1 mm. The thickness of the peripheral wall can be greater than or equal to about 2 mm. The thickness of the peripheral wall can be greater than or equal to about 3 mm.

[0075] The thickness of the peripheral wall of the aerosol-generating device housing defining the device housing can be less than or equal to about 10 mm. The thickness of the peripheral wall can be less than or equal to about 7.5 mm. The thickness of the peripheral wall can be less than or equal to about 5 mm.

[0076] The thickness of the peripheral wall of the aerosol-generating device housing defining the device housing can be between about 1 mm and about 10 mm. The thickness of the peripheral wall can be between about 2 mm and about 7.5 mm. The thickness of the peripheral wall can be between about 3 mm and about 5 mm.

[0077] The depth of the plenum chamber may be less than or equal to about 75% of the thickness of the peripheral wall. The depth of the plenum chamber may be less than or equal to about 50% of the thickness of the peripheral wall. The depth of the plenum chamber may be less than or equal to about 35% of the thickness of the peripheral wall.

[0078] The depth of the plenum can be greater than or equal to about 10% of the thickness of the peripheral wall. The depth of the plenum can be greater than or equal to about 20% of the thickness of the peripheral wall. The depth of the plenum can be greater than or equal to about 25% of the thickness of the peripheral wall.

[0079] The depth of the plenum chamber may be between about 10% and about 75% of the thickness of the peripheral wall. The depth of the plenum chamber may be between about 20% and about 50% of the thickness of the peripheral wall. The depth of the plenum chamber may be between about 25% and about 35% of the thickness of the peripheral wall.

[0080] The aerosol-generating device may comprise an extractor for extracting an aerosol-generating article received in the aerosol-generating device, the extractor being configured to be movable within the device cavity.

[0081] The extractor is configured to expose the plenum when the extractor is in an operational position, the operational position being defined by the heater in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

[0082] The extractor includes a container body configured to receive an aerosol generating article. The container body of the extractor (extractor body) may include an end wall and a peripheral wall. The container body of the extractor includes an open end opposite the end wall, and the aerosol generating article can be received through the open end. The aerosol generating article is configured to abut the end wall once it is received in the extractor body. When the aerosol generating article is received in the extractor, the peripheral wall of the container body can circumscribe the aerosol generating article. In such embodiments where there is an extractor, the peripheral wall of the extractor body may define a ventilation chamber. Alternatively, the peripheral wall of the device housing may define a ventilation chamber.

[0083] The extractor may be sized so that in the operating position the container body extends between the first end of the ventilation chamber and the distal end of the device cavity. This enables the aerosol-generating article to be directly exposed to the ventilation chamber without the extractor body shielding the fluid communication between the ventilation chamber and the aerosol-generating article.

[0084] The extractor can be sized so that in the operating position, the container body extends between the mouth end of the device cavity and the distal end of the device cavity. In such embodiments, the extractor body may have a cutout or multiple cutouts to allow the ventilation chamber to be exposed to the aerosol generating article when inserted. The extractor body and the device cavity together can be configured to ensure alignment with the ventilation chamber or multiple ventilation chambers during use of the one or more cutouts. For example, the suction body can include a protrusion that is arranged to cooperate with a slot or groove in the housing of the aerosol generating device.

[0085] An aerosol-generating device may include an elongate heater that is arranged to be inserted into an aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is received within a device cavity. The elongate heater may be arranged together with the device cavity. The elongate heater may extend into the device cavity. Optional heating devices are discussed further below. However, in such embodiments where the heater extends into the device cavity, the extractor body includes an aperture at an end wall to allow the heater to extend into the aerosol-generating article. Such an aperture may allow air to enter the interior of the extractor cavity such that air can flow through the aerosol-forming substrate strip of the aerosol-generating article during use. Alternatively, additional apertures may be provided to allow air to enter the interior of the extractor cavity.

[0086] In some embodiments, the length of the extractor body may be less than the length of the device cavity. In such embodiments, when the extractor is in the operating position (when the extractor abuts the distal end of the device cavity), the ventilation chamber may be defined by a portion of the device housing wall that does not surround the extractor. When the extractor is in the operating position, this portion of the wall defines the ventilation chamber. Effectively, the said portion of the device housing wall may extend longitudinally beyond the extractor to define the ventilation chamber. The spacing or gap between the aerosol-generating article and the device housing wall defines the ventilation chamber.

[0087] An airflow path may be defined such that fluid communication can be established between the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article received within the device cavity and the exterior of the aerosol-generating device. This airflow path allows an aerosol to be formed when the user draws on the aerosol-generating article heated within the aerosol-generating device. Air from the air flow path may flow into the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and through the aerosol-forming substrate of the article. Such an airflow path may be defined within the aerosol-generating device.

[0088] In embodiments provided with an extractor, the airflow path may be defined between the circumferential wall of the aerosol-generating device housing and the outer surface of the extractor, wherein the ventilation chamber is in fluid communication with the airflow path.

[0089] In embodiments not provided with an extractor, the airflow path may be defined within the thickness of the circumferential wall of the aerosol-generating device housing. The airflow path may also be in fluid communication with the ventilation chamber.

[0090] There is also provided an aerosol generating system, which includes an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device as discussed above. The aerosol generating article may include an aerosol-forming substrate strip and a filter located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate strip. The aerosol-forming substrate strip and the filter may be assembled within a packaging material. The aerosol generating article may include a ventilation zone located on the packaging material. The aerosol generating system is configured such that when the aerosol generating article is received within the device cavity, the ventilation zone of the aerosol generating article is located within the device cavity such that the ventilation chamber covers the ventilation zone of the aerosol generating article.

[0091] As described above, the ventilation chamber may be annular so as to surround the ventilation zone of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is received within the device.

[0092] By providing a ventilation chamber that covers the ventilation zone from the aerosol generating article, it is ensured that during use of the aerosol generating system, the ventilation zone of the aerosol generating article is covered by the housing of the aerosol generating device and is not exposed to the exterior of the device.

[0093] In addition, by providing a ventilation chamber that covers the ventilation zone of the article, it is also ensured that air or aerosol can flow between the ventilation zone of the article and the inner surface of the ventilation chamber defined in the peripheral wall. This means that during normal use, the ventilation zone can perform its function of providing ventilation to the article without being blocked or obstructed by the consumer.

[0094] The ventilation chamber may be configured to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol generating device and the ventilation zone of the aerosol generating article.

[0095] When the aerosol generating article is received within the device cavity, the ventilation zone of the article is arranged to be aligned with and surrounded by the ventilation chamber defined within the device. This ensures that during normal use of the aerosol generating system, the ventilation zone of the aerosol generating article is covered by the housing of the aerosol generating device such that the ventilation zone is not exposed to the exterior of the device. It also ensures that air or aerosol can flow between the ventilation chamber of the device and the ventilation zone of the article. This means that during use, the ventilation zone can perform the function of providing ventilation to the article without being blocked or obstructed by the consumer's mouth or fingers.

[0096] Throughout this specification, the term "ventilation level" may be used to represent the volume ratio of the air flow entering the aerosol generating article via the ventilation zone (ventilation air flow) to the sum of the aerosol air flow and the ventilation air flow. The greater the ventilation level, the higher the dilution of the aerosol stream delivered to the consumer. The ventilation level is measured independently on the aerosol generating article, i.e., without inserting the aerosol generating article into a suitable aerosol generating device adapted to heat the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0097] The aerosol-generating article of the present disclosure may include a downstream section located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate strip. Such a downstream section may be considered the filter tip of the aerosol-generating article. The filter tip (or the downstream section of the article) or the mouthpiece section may include a filter material core rod and a hollow tubular section at a position between the aerosol-forming substrate strip and the mouthpiece section. All three elements are longitudinally aligned. The aerosol-forming substrate strip includes at least an aerosol-forming agent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article for use with the present invention may include an additional support element (or support section) disposed between and longitudinally aligned with the aerosol-forming substrate strip and the hollow tubular section. More specifically, the support element (or support section) is preferably provided immediately downstream of the rod and immediately upstream of the hollow tubular section. The support element or section may be tubular.

[0098] The ventilation zone of the aerosol-generating article may be located at any position along the article. The ventilation zone may be located at a certain position downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate strip. The ventilation zone may be located at a certain position along the hollow tubular section of the filter tip or mouthpiece section of the article. The ventilation zone may be located at a certain position along the filter material core rod of the filter tip of the article.

[0099] The filter tip of the aerosol-generating article may include a mouthpiece section including a filter material core rod disposed downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate strip; and a hollow tubular section located between the mouthpiece section and the aerosol-forming substrate strip, wherein the ventilation zone is located at a certain position along the upstream half of the hollow tubular section.

[0100] The term "upstream half" refers to the zone or portion of an element between the upstream end of the element and the midpoint of the element.

[0101] The aerosol-generating article may include a ventilation zone at a position along the hollow tubular section less than about 18 millimeters (mm) from the upstream end of the hollow tubular section. The distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the hollow tubular section may be less than about 15 millimeters. Even more preferably, the distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the hollow tubular section is less than about 10 millimeters.

[0102] Additionally, or alternatively, the distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the hollow tubular section may be at least about 2 millimeters. The distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the hollow tubular section may be at least about 4 millimeters. The distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the hollow tubular section may be at least about 6 millimeters.

[0103] The ventilation zone can be provided at a position along the hollow tubular section that is at least about 2 millimeters upstream of the mouthpiece end. Preferably, the ventilation zone is provided at a position along the hollow tubular section that is at least 4 millimeters upstream of the mouthpiece end. Preferably, the ventilation zone is provided at a position along the hollow tubular section that is at least about 5 millimeters upstream of the mouthpiece end. Even more preferably, the ventilation zone is provided at a position along the hollow tubular section that is at least 6 millimeters upstream of the mouthpiece end.

[0104] When the mixture of air and aerosol particles flowing through the aerosol-generating article reaches the ventilation zone, the outside air drawn through the ventilation zone into the hollow tubular section mixes with the aerosol. This rapidly reduces the temperature of the aerosol mixture while partially diluting the mixture of air and aerosol particles. By providing a ventilation zone within the above range at a distance upstream of the mouthpiece section, the cooling chamber effectively provides immediately upstream of the mouthpiece, where nucleation and growth of aerosol particles are advantageously promoted. Thus, at least partially counteracting the dilution effect of the ventilation air entering the hollow tubular section, which advantageously enables a satisfactory aerosol delivery level to be provided to the consumer.

[0105] The ventilation zone can be provided at a position along the hollow tubular section that is at least about 10 millimeters downstream of the mouthpiece section. The ventilation zone can be provided at a position along the hollow tubular section that is at least about 12 millimeters downstream of the mouthpiece section. The ventilation zone can be provided at a position along the hollow tubular section that is at least about 15 millimeters downstream of the mouthpiece section. This is advantageous as it ensures that during use, the ventilation zone is not blocked by the consumer's lip margin.

[0106] In some embodiments, the ventilation zone is provided at a position along the hollow tubular section from about 10 millimeters to about 25 millimeters downstream of the mouthpiece section, more preferably from about 12 millimeters to about 20 millimeters downstream of the mouthpiece section. In an exemplary embodiment, the ventilation zone is provided at a position along the hollow tubular section about 18 millimeters downstream of the mouthpiece section. In another exemplary embodiment, the ventilation zone is provided at a position along the hollow tubular section about 13 millimeters downstream of the mouthpiece section.

[0107] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it has been found that the temperature drop caused by the cooler and the entry of outside air into the hollow tubular section through the ventilation zone can have a beneficial effect on the nucleation and growth of aerosol particles.

[0108] In such a scenario, which may be further complicated by coalescence phenomena, the temperature and rate of cooling play a crucial role in determining how the system responds. Generally speaking, different cooling rates can lead to significantly different temporal behaviors related to the formation of the liquid phase (droplets), as the nucleation process is typically non-linear. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is assumed that cooling can result in a rapid increase in the number concentration of droplets, followed by a strong, short-lived increase in this growth (nucleation burst). This nucleation burst appears to be more significant at lower temperatures. Additionally, it seems that higher cooling rates may favor an earlier onset of nucleation. In contrast, a decrease in the cooling rate seems to have a beneficial effect on the final size ultimately reached by the aerosol droplets.

[0109] Accordingly, the rapid cooling caused by the entry of external air into the hollow tubular section via the ventilation zone can be advantageously used to promote the nucleation and growth of aerosol droplets. However, simultaneously, the entry of external air into the hollow tubular section has the direct drawback of diluting the aerosol stream delivered to the consumer.

[0110] Furthermore, it has been found that in the aerosol generating article for use in the present invention, the cooling and dilution effects caused by the entry of ventilation air at a location along the conduit defined by the above-mentioned hollow tubular section have a surprisingly reducing effect on the generation and delivery of phenolic substances.

[0111] The ventilation zone may include one or more rows of apertures or perforations extending through the packaging material of the aerosol generating article. The apertures or perforations of the ventilation zone may extend through the filter tip of the aerosol generating article.

[0112] The ventilation zone may be located at a certain position along the aerosol-forming substrate strip. The ventilation zone may be located at a certain position downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate strip. The ventilation zone may be located at a certain position along the hollow tubular section. The ventilation zone may be located at a certain position along the support section. The ventilation zone may be located at a certain position along the mouthpiece section. Depending on the location of the ventilation zone, the apertures of the ventilation zone may extend through the hollow tubular section, the support section, or the mouthpiece section.

[0113] The ventilation zone may be positioned along the hollow tubular section, and the apertures or perforations of the ventilation zone may extend through the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular section. This is understood to be advantageous because by concentrating the cooling effect generated by ventilation on a short portion of the cavity defined by the hollow tubular section, aerosol nucleation can be further enhanced. This is because a faster and more intense cooling of the flow of volatile substances from the aerosol-forming substrate is particularly favorable for the formation of new nuclei of aerosol particles.

[0114] The ventilation zone may include only a single row of apertures or perforations. A single row of apertures or perforations may include between 8 and 30 apertures or perforations. The ventilation zone may surround the aerosol-generating article. The ventilation zone may surround the aerosol-forming substrate strip. The ventilation zone may surround the hollow tubular section. The ventilation zone may surround the support section. The ventilation zone may surround the mouthpiece section. The ventilation perforations (or apertures) may have a uniform size. As an alternative, the ventilation perforations may vary in size. By varying the number and size of the ventilation perforations, the amount of external air entering the hollow tubular section can be adjusted when the consumer draws on the mouthpiece of the aerosol-generating article during use. Advantageously, the ventilation level of the aerosol-generating article can thus be adjusted.

[0115] The ventilation perforations can be formed using any suitable technique, such as by laser technology, mechanical perforation of the hollow tubular section as part of the aerosol-generating article, or pre-perforation before the hollow tubular section is combined with other elements to form the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the ventilation perforations are formed by in-line laser perforation.

[0116] In the aerosol-generating article for use in the present invention, the overall draw resistance (RTD) of the article depends substantially on the RTD of the aerosol-forming substrate strip and the RTD of the mouthpiece section of the filter, since the hollow tubular section is substantially empty and thus contributes only to a limited extent to the overall RTD. In fact, the hollow tubular section may be adapted to produce an RTD in the range of from about 0 mm H2O (about 0 Pa) to about 20 mm H2O (about 200 Pa). The hollow tubular section may be adapted to produce an RTD between about 0 mm H2O (about 0 Pa) and about 10 mm H2O (about 100 Pa).

[0117] The aerosol-generating article may have an overall RTD of less than about 90 mm H2O (about 900 Pa). The aerosol-generating article may have an overall RTD of less than about 80 mm H2O (about 800 Pa). The aerosol-generating article may have an overall RTD of less than about 70 mm H2O (about 700 Pa).

[0118] Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol-generating article may have an overall RTD of at least about 30 mm H2O (about 300 Pa). The aerosol-generating article may have an overall RTD of at least about 40 mm H2O (about 400 Pa). The aerosol-generating article may have an overall RTD of at least about 50 mm H2O (about 500 Pa).

[0119] The RTD of an aerosol-generating article can be evaluated as the negative pressure that must be applied to the downstream end of the mouthpiece under the test conditions defined in ISO 3402 in order to maintain a stable volumetric air flow of 17.5 ml / s through the mouthpiece. The RTD values listed above are intended to be measured on the aerosol-generating article alone (i.e., before inserting the article into an aerosol-generating device) without obstructing the perforations in the ventilation zone.

[0120] The distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article can be less than about 50 mm. The distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article can be less than about 45 mm. The distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article can be less than about 40 mm.

[0121] The distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article can be at least about 12 mm. The distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article can be at least about 15 mm. The distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article can be at least about 20 mm. In some embodiments, the distance between the ventilation zone and the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article can be at least about 25 mm.

[0122] The distance between the ventilation zone and the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate strip can be at least about 2 mm. The distance between the ventilation zone and the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate strip can be at least about 5 mm. The distance between the ventilation zone and the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate strip can be at least about 10 mm. In some embodiments, the distance between the ventilation zone and the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate strip can be at least about 15 mm.

[0123] The distance between the ventilation zone and the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate strip can be less than about 35 mm. The distance between the ventilation zone and the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate strip can be less than about 30 mm. The distance between the ventilation zone and the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate strip can be less than about 25 mm.

[0124] The outer diameter of the aerosol-generating substrate strip is preferably approximately equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0125] Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate strip has an outer diameter of at least about 5 mm. The aerosol-generating substrate strip can have an outer diameter between about 5 mm and about 12 mm, such as between about 5 mm and about 10 mm or between about 6 mm and about 8 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate strip has an outer diameter within 7.2 mm to about 10%.

[0126] The aerosol - generating substrate strip may have a length between about 5 millimeters and about 100 millimeters. Preferably, the aerosol - generating substrate strip has a length of at least about 5 millimeters, more preferably at least about 7 millimeters. Additionally, or alternatively, the aerosol - generating substrate strip preferably has a length of less than about 80 millimeters, more preferably less than about 65 millimeters, even more preferably less than about 50 millimeters. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol - generating substrate strip has a length of less than about 35 millimeters, more preferably less than 25 millimeters, even more preferably less than about 20 millimeters. In one embodiment, the aerosol - generating substrate strip may have a length of about 10 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol - generating substrate strip has a length of about 12 millimeters.

[0127] Preferably, the aerosol - generating substrate strip has a substantially uniform cross - section along the length of the strip. Particularly preferably, the aerosol - generating substrate strip has a substantially circular cross - section.

[0128] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol - forming substrate comprises one or more aggregated sheets of homogenized tobacco material. Preferably, the one or more sheets of homogenized tobacco material are textured. As used herein, the term "textured sheet" means a sheet that has been curled, embossed, debossed, perforated, or otherwise deformed. The textured sheet of homogenized tobacco material for use in the present invention may include a plurality of spaced - apart indentations, protrusions, perforations, or combinations thereof. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol - forming substrate strip comprises an aggregated curled sheet of homogenized tobacco material defined by a wrapper.

[0129] As used herein, the term "curled sheet" is intended to be synonymous with the term "corrugated sheet" and means a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations. Preferably, the curled sheet of homogenized tobacco material has a plurality of ridges or corrugations that are substantially parallel to the cylindrical axis of the strip according to the present invention. This advantageously facilitates the aggregation of the curled sheet of homogenized tobacco material to form a strip. However, it should be understood that the curled sheet of homogenized tobacco material for use in the present invention may alternatively or additionally have a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations that are disposed at an acute or obtuse angle to the cylindrical axis of the strip. The sheet of homogenized tobacco material of the strip for use in the article of the present invention may be textured substantially uniformly over its substantially entire surface. For example, the curled sheet of homogenized tobacco material for manufacturing the strip used in an aerosol - generating article for use with the present invention may include a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations that are substantially uniformly spaced across the width of the sheet.

[0130] The sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material for use in the present invention may have a tobacco content of at least about 40 wt%, more preferably at least about 60 wt%, more preferably at least about 70 wt%, and most preferably at least about 90 wt% on a dry weight basis.

[0131] A sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material for an aerosol - forming substrate may include one or more intrinsic binders, i.e., tobacco - intrinsic binders, one or more extrinsic binders, i.e., tobacco - extrinsic binders, or a combination thereof, to assist in the aggregation of particulate tobacco. Alternatively or additionally, a sheet of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol - forming substrate may include other additives, which include but are not limited to tobacco and non - tobacco fibers, aerosol - forming agents, humectants, plasticizers, flavorants, fillers, aqueous solvents, and non - aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof.

[0132] Suitable external binders included in a sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material for use in an aerosol - forming substrate are known in the art and include but are not limited to: gums, such as guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic, and locust bean gum; cellulose 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.

[0133] Suitable non - tobacco fibers included in a sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material for an aerosol - forming substrate are known in the art and include but are not limited to: cellulose fibers; softwood fibers; hardwood fibers; jute fibers, and combinations thereof. Prior to being included in a sheet of homogenized tobacco material for an aerosol - forming substrate, non - tobacco fibers may be treated by suitable methods known in the art, including but not limited to: mechanical pulping; refining; chemical pulping; bleaching; sulfate pulping; and combinations thereof.

[0134] A sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material may include an aerosol - forming agent. As used herein, the term "aerosol - forming agent" describes any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, promotes the formation of an aerosol and is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of an aerosol - generating article.

[0135] Suitable aerosol - forming agents are known in the art and include but are not limited to: polyols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3 - butanediol, glycerol; esters of polyols, such as glycerol monoacetate, glycerol diacetate, or glycerol triacetate; and fatty acid esters of mono - carboxylic, di - carboxylic, or poly - carboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

[0136] Preferred aerosol - forming agents are polyols or mixtures thereof, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3 - butanediol, and most preferably glycerol.

[0137] A sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material may contain a single aerosol - forming agent. Alternatively, a sheet or web of homogenized tobacco material may contain a combination of two or more aerosol - forming agents.

[0138] The sheet or web of homogeneous tobacco material has an aerosol - forming agent content of greater than about 10% by dry weight. Preferably, the sheet or web of homogeneous tobacco material has an aerosol - forming agent content of greater than about 12% by dry weight. More preferably, the sheet or web of homogeneous tobacco material has an aerosol - forming agent content of greater than about 14% by dry weight. Even more preferably, the sheet or web of homogeneous tobacco material has an aerosol - forming agent content of greater than about 16% by dry weight.

[0139] The sheet of homogeneous tobacco material can have an aerosol - forming agent content of from about 10% to about 30% by dry weight. Preferably, the sheet or web of homogeneous tobacco material has an aerosol - forming agent content of less than about 25% by dry weight.

[0140] In a preferred embodiment, the sheet of homogeneous tobacco material has an aerosol - forming agent content of about 20% by dry weight.

[0141] The sheet or web of homogeneous tobacco for use in the aerosol - generating article of the present invention can be manufactured by methods known in the art (such as the method disclosed in international patent application WO - A - 2012 / 164009 A2). In a preferred embodiment, the sheet of homogeneous tobacco material for use in the aerosol - generating article is formed from a slurry comprising particulate tobacco, guar gum, cellulose fibers, and glycerol by a casting process.

[0142] Alternative arrangements of the homogeneous tobacco material in the strip for use in the aerosol - generating article will be known to the person skilled in the art and can include multiple stacked sheets of homogeneous tobacco material, multiple elongated tubular elements formed by winding a strip of homogeneous tobacco material around its longitudinal axis, and the like.

[0143] As another alternative, the aerosol - forming matrix strip can comprise a non - tobacco - based, nicotine - containing material, such as a sheet of an adsorbent non - tobacco material loaded with nicotine (e.g., in the form of a nicotine salt) and an aerosol - forming agent. Examples of such strips are described in international application WO - A - 2015 / 052652. Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol - forming matrix strip can comprise non - tobacco plant material, such as aromatic non - tobacco plant material.

[0144] The aerosol - forming matrix is surrounded by a packaging material. The packaging can be formed from a porous or non - porous sheet material. The packaging can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. Preferably, the packaging is a paper - based packaging.

[0145] The mouthpiece section includes a filter material core rod capable of removing particulate components, gaseous components, or combinations thereof. Suitable filter materials are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: fibrous filter materials such as, for example, cellulose acetate tow, viscose fiber, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) fiber, polylactic acid (PLA) fiber, and paper; adsorbents such as, for example, activated alumina, zeolite, molecular sieve, and silica gel; and combinations thereof. Additionally, the filter material core rod may further comprise one or more aerosol modifiers. Suitable aerosol modifiers are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, flavorants such as, for example, menthol. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece may further include a mouth end recess downstream of the filter material core rod. By way of example, the mouthpiece may include a hollow tube longitudinally aligned with and disposed immediately downstream of the filter material core rod, the hollow tube forming a cavity at the mouth end, the cavity being open to the external environment at the mouth end and the downstream end of the aerosol generating article.

[0146] The length of the mouthpiece is preferably at least about 4 mm, more preferably at least about 6 mm, and even more preferably at least about 8 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the mouthpiece is preferably less than 25 mm, more preferably less than 20 mm, and even more preferably less than 15 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the mouthpiece is from about 4 mm to about 25 mm, more preferably from about 6 mm to about 20 mm. The length of the mouthpiece can be about 7 mm. The length of the mouthpiece can be about 12 mm.

[0147] The length of the hollow tubular section is preferably at least about 10 mm. More preferably, the length of the hollow tubular section is at least about 15 mm. Additionally, or alternatively, the length of the hollow tubular section is preferably less than about 30 mm. More preferably, the length of the hollow tubular section is less than about 25 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the hollow tubular section is less than about 20 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular section is from about 10 mm to about 30 mm, more preferably from about 12 mm to about 25 mm, and even more preferably from about 15 mm to about 20 mm. By way of example, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the length of the hollow tubular section is about 18 mm. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the length of the hollow tubular section is about 13 mm.

[0148] The thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular section is less than about 1.5 mm. Preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular section is less than about 1250 microns, more preferably less than about 1000 microns, and even more preferably less than about 900 microns. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular section is less than about 800 microns.

[0149] Additionally, or alternatively, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular section is at least about 100 microns. Preferably, the thickness of the peripheral wall of the hollow tubular section is at least about 200 microns.

[0150] The total length of the aerosol - generating article for use with the present invention is preferably at least about 40 millimeters. Additionally or alternatively, the total length of the aerosol - generating article for use with the present invention is preferably less than about 70 millimeters, more preferably less than about 60 millimeters, and even more preferably less than about 50 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the total length of the aerosol - generating article is between about 40 millimeters and about 70 millimeters. In an exemplary embodiment, the total length of the aerosol - generating article is about 45 millimeters.

[0151] The support element (or section) can have a length between about 5 millimeters and about 15 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the support element has a length of about 8 millimeters.

[0152] The heater can include an elongate heating element that is configured to penetrate the aerosol - forming substrate strip when the aerosol - generating article is received within the aerosol - generating device.

[0153] The heater can be any suitable type of heater. The heater can heat the aerosol - generating article internally. Alternatively, the heater can heat the aerosol - generating article externally. When inserted or received within the aerosol - generating device, such an external heater can surround the aerosol - generating article.

[0154] In some embodiments, the heater is arranged to heat the outer surface of the aerosol - forming substrate. In some embodiments, the heater is arranged to be inserted into the aerosol - forming substrate when the aerosol - forming substrate is received within the cavity. The heater can be positioned within the cavity. The heater can extend into the cavity. The heater can be an elongate heater. The elongate heater can be blade - shaped. The elongate heater can be pin - shaped. The elongate heater can be tapered. In some embodiments, the aerosol - generating device includes an elongate heater that is arranged to be inserted into the aerosol - generating article when the aerosol - generating article is received within the cavity.

[0155] The heater can include at least one heating element. The at least one heating element can be any suitable type of heating element. In some embodiments, the device includes only one heating element. In some embodiments, the device includes a plurality of heating elements.

[0156] The heater can include at least one resistive heating element. Preferably, the heater includes a plurality of resistive heating elements. Preferably, the resistive heating elements are electrically connected in a parallel arrangement. Advantageously, providing a plurality of resistive heating elements electrically connected in a parallel arrangement can facilitate delivering the desired power to the heater while reducing or minimizing the voltage required to provide the desired power. Advantageously, reducing or minimizing the voltage required to operate the heater can facilitate reducing or minimizing the physical size of the power source.

[0157] Suitable materials for forming at least one resistive heating element include, but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electro-“conductive” ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composite materials made of ceramic materials and metal 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, alloys containing nickel, cobalt, chromium, aluminum-titanium-zirconium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, and iron, and superalloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, titanium alloy (Timetal), and iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloys.

[0158] In some embodiments, at least one resistive heating element includes one or more imprinted portions of a resistive material such as stainless steel. Alternatively, at least one resistive heating element may include a heating wire or filament, such as Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten, or alloy wire.

[0159] In some embodiments, at least one heating element includes an electrically insulating matrix on which at least one resistive heating element is disposed.

[0160] The electrically insulating matrix may include any suitable material. For example, the electrically insulating matrix may include one or more of the following: paper, glass, ceramics, anodized metal, coated metal, and polyimide. The ceramics may include mica, alumina (Al2O3), or zirconia (ZrO2). Preferably, the electrically insulating matrix has a thermal conductivity of less than or equal to about 40 watts per meter per Kelvin, preferably less than or equal to about 20 watts per meter per Kelvin, and desirably less than or equal to about 2 watts per meter per Kelvin.

[0161] The heater may include a heating element that includes a rigid electrically insulating substrate having one or more conductive tracks or wires disposed on its surface. The size and shape of the electrically insulating matrix may allow it to be directly inserted into the aerosol-forming matrix. If the electrically insulating matrix is not rigid enough, then the heating element may include additional strengthening means. Current may pass through one or more conductive tracks to heat the heating element and the aerosol-forming matrix.

[0162] In some embodiments, the heater includes an induction heating device. The induction heating device may include an inductor coil and a power supply configured to supply a high-frequency oscillating current to the inductor coil. As used herein, the term "high-frequency oscillating current" means an oscillating current having a frequency between 500 kHz and 30 MHz. Advantageously, the heater may include a DC / AC inverter for converting the DC current supplied by a DC power supply into an alternating current. The inductor coil may be arranged to generate a high-frequency oscillating electromagnetic field when receiving the high-frequency oscillating current from the power supply. The inductor coil may be arranged to generate a high-frequency oscillating electromagnetic field in the device cavity. In some embodiments, the inductor coil may substantially surround the device cavity. The inductor coil may extend at least partially along the length of the device cavity.

[0163] The heater may include an induction heating element. The induction heating element may be a susceptor element. As used herein, the term "susceptor element" refers to an element including a material capable of converting electromagnetic energy into heat. When the susceptor element is located in an alternating electromagnetic field, the susceptor is heated. The heating of the susceptor element may be the result of at least one of hysteresis loss and eddy current induced in the susceptor, depending on the electrical and magnetic properties of the susceptor material.

[0164] The susceptor element may be arranged such that when an aerosol-generating article is received in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device, the oscillating electromagnetic field generated by the inductor coil induces a current in the susceptor element, thereby causing the susceptor element to heat up. In these embodiments, the aerosol-generating device is preferably capable of generating a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a magnetic field intensity (H field strength) between 1 kiloampere per meter and 5 kiloamperes per meter (kA / m), preferably between 2 kA / m and 3 kA / m, for example about 2.5 kA / m. Preferably, an electrically operated aerosol-generating device is capable of generating a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a frequency between 1 MHz and 30 MHz, for example between 1 MHz and 10 MHz, for example between 5 MHz and 7 MHz.

[0165] In some embodiments, the susceptor element is located in the aerosol-generating article. In these embodiments, the susceptor element is preferably positioned in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate. The susceptor element may be located in the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0166] In some embodiments, the susceptor element is located in the aerosol-generating device. In these embodiments, the susceptor element may be located in the cavity. The aerosol-generating device may include only one susceptor element. The aerosol-generating device may include a plurality of susceptor elements.

[0167] In some embodiments, the susceptor element is arranged to heat the outer surface of the aerosol-forming substrate. In some embodiments, the susceptor element is arranged to be inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-forming substrate is received in the cavity.

[0168] The sensor element can comprise any suitable material. The sensor element can be formed from any material capable of being inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to release volatile compounds from the aerosol-forming substrate. Suitable materials for the elongate sensor element include graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steel, niobium, aluminum, nickel, nickel-containing compounds, titanium, and metal material composites. Some sensor elements include metal or carbon. Advantageously, the sensor element can comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, such as ferrite iron, ferromagnetic alloys (such as ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel), ferromagnetic particles, and ferrites. Suitable sensor elements can be aluminum or include aluminum. The sensor element preferably comprises greater than about 5%, preferably greater than about 20%, more preferably greater than about 50% or greater than about 90% ferromagnetic or paramagnetic material. Some elongate sensor elements can be heated to a temperature in excess of about 250 degrees Celsius.

[0169] The sensor element can comprise a non-metallic core, on which a metal layer is provided. For example, the sensor element can comprise metal traces formed on the outer surface of a ceramic core or substrate.

[0170] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating system comprises at least one resistive heating element and at least one inductive heating element. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating system comprises a combination of a resistive heating element and an inductive heating element.

[0171] The aerosol-generating device comprises a power source. The power source can be a DC power source. In some embodiments, the power source is a battery. The power source can 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. However, in some embodiments, the power source can be another form of charge storage device, such as, for example, a capacitor. The power source may need to be recharged and can have a capacity that allows storage of sufficient energy for one or more user operations, such as, for example, one or more aerosol-generating experiences. For example, the power source can have a sufficient capacity to allow continuous heating of the aerosol-forming substrate for approximately six minutes, corresponding to the typical time taken to smoke a conventional cigarette, or for multiple six-minute periods. In another example, the power source can have a sufficient capacity to allow a predetermined number or discontinuous puffs or activations of the heater. Description of the Drawings

[0172] Specific embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0173] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a comparative aerosol-generating device and a comparative aerosol-generating system; and

[0174] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating system. Detailed implementation mode

[0175] Figure 1 An aerosol - generating system 100 is shown which includes a comparative aerosol - generating device 10 and an aerosol - generating article 1. The aerosol - generating device 10 includes a housing 4 extending between a mouth end 2 and a distal end (not shown). The housing 4 includes a peripheral wall 6. The peripheral wall 6 defines a device cavity for receiving the aerosol - generating article 1. An extractor 8 is located within the device cavity defined by the peripheral wall 6 and is configured to receive and extract the aerosol - generating article 1 from the device cavity. The extractor 8 includes a body having an open end and a closed end. The closed end of the body of the extractor 8 is defined by an end wall. The device cavity is further defined by a closed distal end and an open mouth end. The mouth end of the device cavity is located at the mouth end of the aerosol - generating device 10. The aerosol - generating article 1 is configured to be received through the mouth end of the device cavity and is configured to abut the closed end of the device cavity or the closed end of the extractor 8. The closed end of the extractor 8 is configured to substantially abut or be close to the closed end of the device cavity.

[0176] An air flow path 32 is defined around the outer surface of the extractor 8 and is defined between the peripheral wall 6 of the aerosol - generating device housing 4 and the outer surface of the extractor 8. Air is allowed to enter the extractor 8 through an orifice (not shown) at the closed end of the body of the extractor 8. This enables air to flow through the aerosol - forming substrate strip 12 when the user creates a draw at the mouth end of the aerosol - generating article 1 and further downstream through the remainder of the aerosol - generating article 1.

[0177] The aerosol - generating device 10 further includes a heater (not shown) and a power source (not shown) for supplying power to the heater. A controller (not shown) is also provided to control such power supply to the heater. The heater is configured to heat the aerosol - generating article 1 during use when the aerosol - generating article 1 is received within the device 10.

[0178] The aerosol - generating article 1 includes an aerosol - forming substrate strip 12, a hollow support section 14, a hollow tubular section 16, and a mouthpiece section 18. These four elements are arranged in an end - to - end, longitudinally - aligned manner and are surrounded by a packaging material 22 to form the aerosol - generating article 1. Figure 1 The aerosol - generating article 1 shown is particularly suitable for use with an electrically - operated aerosol - generating device 1 which includes a heater for heating the aerosol - forming substrate strip 12.

[0179] The aerosol - forming substrate strip 12 has a length of about 12 millimeters and a diameter of about 7 millimeters. The aerosol - forming substrate strip 12 is cylindrical and has a substantially circular cross - section. The aerosol - forming substrate strip 12 comprises a sheet of aggregated homogeneous tobacco material. The hollow cellulose acetate tube (hollow support section) 14 has a length of about 8 millimeters and the thickness of the tube wall is about 1.75 millimeters.

[0180] The mouthpiece section 18 comprises an 8 - denier / filament cellulose acetate bundle core rod and has a length of about 12 millimeters.

[0181] The hollow tubular section 16 is provided as a cylindrical tube having a length of about 13 millimeters and the thickness of the tube wall is about 175 micrometers.

[0182] The aerosol - generating article 1 includes a ventilation zone 26 that is disposed at least about 5 millimeters upstream of the upstream end of the mouthpiece section 18. Thus, the ventilation zone 26 is located at about 18 millimeters from the downstream end of the aerosol - generating article 1. Thus, the ventilation zone 26 is at least about 21 millimeters from the downstream end of the aerosol - forming substrate strip 12. The ventilation zone 26 comprises a series or a row of perforations extending through the wrapper material 22.

[0183] As Figure 1 shown, when the aerosol - generating article 1 is received within the device cavity, the ventilation zone 26 of the aerosol - generating article 1 is exposed.

[0184] Figure 2 An embodiment of an aerosol - generating system 200 including an aerosol - generating device 20 and an aerosol - generating article 1 is shown. The aerosol - generating device 20 includes an extractor 8.

[0185] The aerosol - generating device 20 further includes a ventilation chamber 28 that is configured to surround the ventilation zone 26 of the aerosol - generating article when the aerosol - generating article 1 is received within the aerosol - generating device 20. The device cavity has a total length of 30 mm and the ventilation chamber 28 has a length of 5 mm. The ventilation chamber 28 has a rectangular longitudinal cross - sectional shape. The ventilation chamber 28 is also annular such that the ventilation chamber 28 extends around the entire inner circumference of the peripheral wall 6. During use, the ventilation chamber 28 surrounds the outer periphery of the aerosol - generating article 1.

[0186] The ventilation chamber 28 is configured to be in fluid communication with the ventilation zone 26 of the article 1 and the exterior of the aerosol - generating device 20 via the mouth end of the device 10. The ventilation chamber 28 is also configured to be in fluid communication with an airflow path 32 defined around the extractor 8. As Figure 2 shown, the ventilation chamber 28 is defined within the thickness of the peripheral wall 6.

[0187] As Figure 2As shown, the ventilation chamber 28 is positioned away from the mouth end 2 of the aerosol generating device 20. The ventilation chamber 28 is not in direct fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol generating device 20. The ventilation chamber 28 is in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol generating device 20 through a plurality of chamber inlets 24. Each chamber inlet 24 extends between the ventilation chamber 28 and the mouth end 2 of the aerosol generating device 20 so as to establish fluid communication between the ventilation chamber 28 and the mouth end 2 of the aerosol generating device 20.

[0188] Each chamber inlet 24 has a circular cross-section. The diameter of each chamber inlet 24 is substantially smaller than the depth (i.e., the radial depth) of the ventilation chamber 28. As Figure 2 shown, the depth of the ventilation chamber 28 is five times the diameter of the chamber inlet 24.

[0189] During use of the aerosol generating system 200 described above, when the aerosol generating article 1 is received within the cavity of the aerosol generating device 20, the ventilation zone 26 of the aerosol generating article 1 cannot be directly blocked by the consumer. This is due to the circumferential wall 6 overlapping the ventilation zone 26.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device configured to receive an aerosol-generating article, wherein the aerosol-generating device has a distal end and a mouth end, and the aerosol-generating device comprises: A housing, the housing including a peripheral wall defining a device chamber for removably receiving the aerosol-generating article at the mouth end of the aerosol-generating device; and A heater for heating the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is received in the device chamber; wherein the housing includes a ventilation chamber defined within the peripheral wall, and the ventilation chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article received in the device chamber, wherein the ventilation chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the exterior of the aerosol-generating device through a chamber inlet defined within the thickness of the peripheral wall, the chamber inlet having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the ventilation chamber and extending between the ventilation chamber and the mouth end of the aerosol-generating device, further, wherein the length of the ventilation chamber is less than or equal to 8 mm.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation chamber is located at a longitudinal position away from the mouth end of the aerosol-generating device.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the chamber inlet is between 1 mm and 6 mm.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the chamber inlet is less than or equal to 50% of the cross-sectional area of the ventilation chamber.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the thickness of the part of the peripheral wall defining the ventilation chamber is different from the thickness of different parts of the peripheral wall.

6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of the part of the peripheral wall defining the ventilation chamber is less than the thickness of different parts of the peripheral wall.

7. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 6, wherein the thickness of the part of the peripheral wall defining the ventilation chamber varies along the longitudinal direction.

8. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the ventilation chamber is annular.

9. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises an extractor for extracting the aerosol-generating article received in the aerosol-generating device, and the extractor is configured to be movable within the device cavity.

10. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 9, wherein the extractor is configured to expose the ventilation chamber when the extractor is in an operating position, and the operating position is defined by the heater in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

11. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 9, wherein an air flow path is defined between the peripheral wall of the housing of the aerosol-generating device and the outer surface of the extractor, and the ventilation chamber is in fluid communication with the air flow path.

12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein an air flow path is defined between the peripheral wall of the housing of the aerosol generating device and the outer surface of the extractor, and wherein the ventilation chamber is in fluid communication with the air flow path.

13. An aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating system comprising: An aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article including: An aerosol-forming substrate strip; and A filter tip positioned downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate strip; wherein the aerosol-forming substrate strip and the filter tip are assembled within a packaging material, the aerosol-generating article including a ventilation zone located on the packaging material, the ventilation zone including a plurality of apertures extending through the packaging material; and An aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1-12; wherein the aerosol-generating system is configured such that when the aerosol-generating article is received in the device chamber, the ventilation zone of the aerosol-generating article is located within the device chamber such that the ventilation chamber covers the ventilation zone of the aerosol-generating article.

14. The aerosol generating system according to claim 13, wherein the filter tip of the aerosol generating article comprises: A mouthpiece section, the mouthpiece section including a filter material mandrel disposed downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate strip; and A hollow tubular section located between the mouthpiece section and the aerosol-forming substrate strip, wherein the ventilation zone is located at a position along the upstream half of the hollow tubular section.

15. The aerosol generating system according to claim 13, wherein the heater comprises an elongate heating element configured to penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate strip when the aerosol generating article is received within the aerosol generating device.

16. The aerosol generating system according to claim 14, wherein the heater comprises an elongate heating element configured to penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate strip when the aerosol generating article is received within the aerosol generating device.

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