Aerosol supply device and system

Abstract

An aerosol supply device (100) is disclosed. The device (100) comprises an aerosol generator (102), a controller (104), and an aerosol outlet location AO, wherein the aerosol generator comprises two or more aerosol-generating zones (128). Each aerosol-generating zone has a geometric center, and the geometric center of the aerosol-generating zone is spaced from the location AO by a distance CD. Each aerosol-generating zone (128) is a member of one of the plurality of aerosol-generating groups. Each aerosol-generating group includes at least one aerosol-generating zone. The average value of the distances CD of all aerosol-generating zones included in one aerosol-generating group is a group distance GCD, and the average value of the group distances GCD of all aerosol-generating groups is a distance MGCD. The difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 15.0% of the distance MGCD, and the controller (104) is configured to activate the aerosol-generating zones (128) in the one or more aerosol-generating groups upon receipt of the signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol supply apparatus and system, a consumable for use in an aerosol supply system, a method of providing an aerosol, and an aerosol supply device. Background Art

[0002] Aerosol supply systems that generate aerosols for inhalation by users are well known in the art. Such systems are usually powered by batteries and include consumables and an aerosol supply device, wherein the aerosol supply device includes a battery and an aerosol generator. Aerosols can be generated in various ways. For example, aerosols can be generated by heating a substrate to form atomized gas, which is then condensed in the passing air to form a condensed aerosol. Alternatively, aerosols can be generated by mechanical means, vibrations, etc., so that the substrate is dispersed in the passing air, thereby forming an aerosol. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply device is provided. The device includes an aerosol generator, a controller and an aerosol outlet position AO, and the aerosol generator includes two or more aerosol generating zones. Each aerosol generating zone has a geometric center, and the geometric center of the aerosol generating zone is spaced apart from the position AO by a distance CD. Each aerosol generating zone is a member of an aerosol generating group among a plurality of aerosol generating groups, and each aerosol generating group includes at least one aerosol generating zone. The average value of the distance CD of all aerosol generating zones included in an aerosol generating group is the group distance GCD, the average value of the group distance GCD of all aerosol generating groups is the distance MGCD, and the difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 15.0% of the distance MGCD. The controller is configured to activate the aerosol generating zones in one or more aerosol generating groups upon receiving a signal.

[0004] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply device is provided, wherein the device comprises an aerosol generator, a controller and an aerosol outlet position AO, the aerosol generator comprises two or more aerosol generating areas, wherein:

[0005] Each aerosol generating region has a surface area CA,

[0006] Each aerosol generating region is a member of an aerosol generating group of a plurality of aerosol generating groups,

[0007] Each aerosol generating group comprises at least one aerosol generating region,

[0008] The sum of the surface areas CA of all aerosol generating zones included in one aerosol generating group is the area TCA,

[0009] The average of the area TCAs of all aerosol generating groups is the MTCA, and the difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 15.0% of the area MTCA, and

[0010] The controller is configured to activate aerosol generating zones in one or more aerosol generating groups upon receipt of the signal.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a consumable suitable for use with an aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure, and wherein the aerosol supply device comprises a position AO. The consumable comprises a plurality of discrete parts containing an aerosol generating material, and each discrete part has a geometric center. When the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the position AO, the geometric center of the discrete part is spaced a distance PD from the position AO. Each discrete part is a member of a part group among a plurality of part groups. The average value of the distance PD of all discrete parts included in a part group is the group distance GPD, the average value of the group distance GPD of all part groups is the distance MGPD, and the difference between each group distance GPD and the distance MGPD is less than 15.0% of the distance MGPD.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a consumable suitable for use with an aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure, and wherein the device comprises a position AO, wherein,

[0013] The consumable comprises a plurality of discrete portions of aerosol generating material,

[0014] Each aerosol generating material portion has a surface area PA,

[0015] Each aerosol generating material portion is a member of one of a plurality of portion groups,

[0016] Each portion group comprises at least one aerosol generating material portion,

[0017] The sum of the surface areas PA of all aerosol generating material portions included in a portion group is the area TPA,

[0018] The average of the areas TPA of all the partial groups is MTPA, and

[0019] The difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 15.0% of area MTPA.

[0020] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply device for use with a consumable according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure is provided, wherein the device includes an aerosol generator configured to heat at least a portion of an aerosol generating material supported on a support portion.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply system is provided, the aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device and the consumables according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0022] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply system is provided, the aerosol supply system comprising a consumable and the aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0023] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply system is provided, comprising the aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure and the consumables according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0024] According to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for generating an aerosol from a consumable according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure using an aerosol supply device, the aerosol supply device having at least one aerosol generator, the at least one aerosol generator being arranged to heat but not burn discrete portions during use; wherein at least one aerosol generator is a resistive heater element or a magnetic field generator and a receptor.

[0025] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for generating aerosol from a consumable according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure using the aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0026] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating the aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure is provided, wherein the controller activates the aerosol generating zones in one or more aerosol generating groups upon receiving a signal.

[0027] According to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating an aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure is provided, wherein a controller activates aerosol generating groups according to a predetermined order, and each aerosol generating group is activated when a signal to activate the next aerosol generating group is received.

[0028] According to the thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a method for providing a non-zero number of separate aerosols is provided, wherein the method comprises: providing an aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure; providing at least one consumable according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure; causing the device to activate an aerosol generating zone in an aerosol generating group a non-zero number of times, wherein the non-zero number of times is two or more times; and for each activation of the aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group, at least one characteristic of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group each time the aerosol generating zone is activated is the same.

[0029] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure, which is given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an aerosol supply device according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0031] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A second schematic diagram of an aerosol supply device in , wherein the housing of the device is considered to be transparent;

[0032] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A first plan view of a first embodiment of a chamber of an aerosol supply device in FIG.

[0033] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 A second plan view of a first embodiment of a chamber of an aerosol supply device in FIG.

[0034] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 A plan view of a second embodiment of a chamber of an aerosol supply device in FIG.

[0035] Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 A second plan view of a second embodiment of the chamber of the aerosol supply device in FIG.

[0036] Figure 7 Shows Figure 1 A plan view of a third embodiment of a chamber of an aerosol supply device in FIG.

[0037] Figure 8 Shows Figure 1 A second plan view of a third embodiment of the chamber of the aerosol supply device in FIG.

[0038] Fig. 9 Shows the suitability for Figure 1 and Figure 3A first schematic plan view of an embodiment of a consumable for use with an aerosol supply device;

[0039] Fig.10 Shows Fig. 9 A second plan view of the consumables in;

[0040] Fig.11 Shows the suitability for Figure 1 and Figure 5 A first schematic plan view of an embodiment of a consumable for use with an aerosol supply device;

[0041] Fig.12 Shows Fig.11 A second plan view of the consumables in;

[0042] Fig.13 Shows the suitability for Figure 1 and Figure 7 A first schematic plan view of an embodiment of a consumable for use with an aerosol supply device in; and

[0043] Fig.14 Shows Fig.13 Second plan view of the consumables in. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply device is provided. The device includes an aerosol generator, a controller and an aerosol outlet position AO, and the aerosol generator includes two or more aerosol generating zones. Each aerosol generating zone has a geometric center, and the geometric center of the aerosol generating zone is spaced apart from the position AO by a distance CD. Each aerosol generating zone is a member of an aerosol generating group among a plurality of aerosol generating groups, and each aerosol generating group includes at least one aerosol generating zone. The average value of the distance CD of all aerosol generating zones included in an aerosol generating group is the group distance GCD, the average value of the group distance GCD of all aerosol generating groups is the distance MGCD, and the difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 15.0% of the distance MGCD. The controller is configured to activate the aerosol generating zones in one or more aerosol generating groups upon receiving a signal.

[0045] The distance CD of each aerosol generating zone may be different.

[0046] In one of the above embodiments, the difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 12.5% ​​of the distance MGCD.

[0047] In one of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 10.0% of the distance MGCD.

[0048] In one of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 7.5% of the distance MGCD.

[0049] In one of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 5.0% of the distance MGCD.

[0050] In one of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 2.5% of the distance MGCD.

[0051] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply device is provided, wherein the device comprises an aerosol generator, a controller and an aerosol outlet position AO, the aerosol generator comprises two or more aerosol generating areas, wherein:

[0052] Each aerosol generating region has a surface area CA,

[0053] Each aerosol generating region is a member of an aerosol generating group of a plurality of aerosol generating groups,

[0054] Each aerosol generating group comprises at least one aerosol generating region,

[0055] The sum of the surface areas CA of all aerosol generating zones included in one aerosol generating group is the area TCA,

[0056] The average of the area TCAs of all aerosol generating groups is the MTCA, and the difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 15.0% of the area MTCA, and

[0057] The controller is configured to activate aerosol generating zones in one or more aerosol generating groups upon receipt of the signal.

[0058] The surface area CA of each aerosol generating zone may be different.

[0059] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol supply device may be a non-flammable aerosol supply system. According to the present disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol supply system is an aerosol supply system in which the constituent aerosol generating materials of the aerosol supply system (or its components) do not burn or ignite to deliver at least one substance to the user.

[0060] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-flammable aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-flammable aerosol supply system.

[0061] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as an atomizing device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not required.

[0062] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0063] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosol generating materials to generate an aerosol, wherein one or more of the aerosol generating materials can be heated. Each aerosol generating material can be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol generating material and a solid aerosol generating material. The solid aerosol generating material can include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0064] Generally, a non-flammable aerosol supply system may include a non-flammable aerosol supply device and consumables for use with the non-flammable aerosol supply device.

[0065] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that include an aerosol generating material and are configured for use with a non-flammable aerosol supply device. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles in the present disclosure.

[0066] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system, such as a non-flammable aerosol supply device thereof, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, an electrical source or an exothermic source. In some embodiments, the exothermic source includes a carbon matrix that may be powered to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol generating material or a heat transfer material proximate to the exothermic source.

[0067] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system may include an area for receiving a consumable product, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0068] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-flammable aerosol supply device may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material conveying component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a shell, a wrapping paper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0069] An aerosol generator is a device configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from an aerosol generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol generating material to thermal energy so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator can be configured to subject the aerosol generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0070] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the device further comprises an aerosol outlet, and the aerosol outlet position AO is the geometric center of the aerosol outlet.

[0071] An aerosol outlet is an orifice or gap through which the aerosol can leave the space or area where the aerosol is generated and through which the aerosol flows to where the user inhales the aerosol, or if the user does not want to inhale all of the aerosol, the aerosol is discharged into the atmosphere.

[0072] In an alternative embodiment of any of the above embodiments, when the consumable includes an aerosol outlet and when the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the device when the device and the consumable are in use or ready for use, the aerosol outlet position AO coincides with the geometric center of the aerosol outlet of the consumable.

[0073] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, an aerosol generating zone is a zone within an aerosol generator, each zone being configured to enable an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol independently or in combination with one or more of the other aerosol generating zones.

[0074] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each aerosol generating zone is a heater. In some embodiments, at least one aerosol generating zone is a resistive heater. In some embodiments, at least one aerosol generating zone is an induction heater, a coil of an induction heater, or a susceptor of an induction heater.

[0075] The aerosol outlet is a two-dimensional orifice through which the aerosol generated by the aerosol generator passes out of the portion of the aerosol generator where the aerosol is generated.

[0076] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol outlet is an end of a conduit or channel along which the aerosol leaves the aerosol generating portion of the aerosol generator.

[0077] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a chamber in which the aerosol is generated, the chamber being defined by one or more elements of the aerosol generator, and one of the elements defines the aerosol outlet.

[0078] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one of the elements of the chamber is a chamber wall.

[0079] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the chamber further comprises an air inlet.

[0080] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the air inlet has a geometric center at position AI, and the relationship between position AI and the aerosol generation zone is the same as the relationship between the aerosol generation zone and the aerosol outlet position AO.

[0081] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the chamber further comprises a plurality of air inlets.

[0082] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, an air inlet of the plurality of air inlets has a geometric center located at position AI.

[0083] It should be understood that the geometric center of an object, surface or space is the arithmetic mean position of all points in the object, surface or space. It should also be understood that the average of two or more distances or areas is calculated by dividing the sum of the distances or areas by the number of these distances or areas.

[0084] The geometric center of the aerosol outlet is located at position AO and is the arithmetic mean position of all points in the aerosol outlet.

[0085] The aerosol supply device of the present disclosure includes a plurality of aerosol generating groups, wherein each group includes at least one aerosol generating zone. The aerosol generating group is characterized in that when the controller is operated to generate aerosol, the controller activates all aerosol generating zones in the aerosol generating group. The activation order and activation time of each aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group will be discussed below.

[0086] For the purpose of calculating the position of the geometric centre of the aerosol generating zone, the aerosol generating zone is considered to be two-dimensional and constitutes the surface of the aerosol generating zone to which the aerosol generating material is or may be exposed when the device of the present disclosure is in use.

[0087] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each aerosol generating zone has a surface area CA, the sum of the surface areas CA of all aerosol generating zones included in an aerosol generating group is an area TCA, the average value of the area TCA of all aerosol generating groups is MTCA, and the difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 15.0% of the area MTCA.

[0088] For the purpose of calculating the surface area of ​​the aerosol generating region, the aerosol generating region is considered to be two-dimensional and constitutes the surface of the aerosol generating region to which the aerosol generating material is or may be exposed when the device of the present disclosure is in use.

[0089] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 12.5% ​​of the area MTCA.

[0090] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 10.0% of the area MTCA.

[0091] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 7.5% of the area MTCA.

[0092] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 5.0% of the area MTCA.

[0093] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 2.5% of the area MTCA.

[0094] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each aerosol generating region has a surface area CA, the average of the surface areas CA of all aerosol generating regions included in one aerosol generating group is area MCA, and the difference between each area CA and area MCA is less than 15.0% of area MCA.

[0095] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area CA and area MCA is less than 12.5% ​​of area MCA.

[0096] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area CA and area MCA is less than 10.0% of area MCA.

[0097] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area CA and area MCA is less than 7.5% of area MCA.

[0098] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area CA and area MCA is less than 5.0% of area MCA.

[0099] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area CA and area MCA is less than 2.5% of area MCA.

[0100] In one of any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol-generating group comprises a non-zero number of aerosol-generating regions that is different from a non-zero number of aerosol-generating regions comprised in at least one other aerosol-generating group.

[0101] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generating group comprises one aerosol generating region, and at least one aerosol generating group comprises at least two aerosol generating regions.

[0102] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, one aerosol generating group comprises one aerosol generating region, and at least one aerosol generating group comprises at least two aerosol generating regions.

[0103] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, two aerosol generating groups include one aerosol generating region, and at least one aerosol generating group includes at least two aerosol generating regions.

[0104] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, three aerosol generating groups include one aerosol generating region, and at least one aerosol generating group includes at least two aerosol generating regions.

[0105] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each aerosol generating group that does not include an aerosol generating region includes two aerosol generating regions.

[0106] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, there are at least three aerosol generating groups.

[0107] In one of any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to activate the aerosol generating groups in a specific order.

[0108] In one of any of the above embodiments, the controller activates the aerosol generating groups in an order stored in a memory accessed by the controller.

[0109] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the controller activates the aerosol generating groups in the order input into the controller by the user via the user interface. In this embodiment, different aerosol generating groups may provide different user experiences when the apparatus of the present disclosure is in use. Thus, the user may decide the user experience they wish to experience and / or the order in which they wish to experience the experiences. The user may input the next aerosol generating group to be activated, or they may input the order in which two or more aerosol generating groups are to be activated.

[0110] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the user interface may include one or more buttons or other input devices.

[0111] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the user interface may include means for communicating with a separate device, such as a mobile phone, tablet device, or computer that may be used to formulate commands for the controller.

[0112] In one of any of the above embodiments, the user interface may communicate with a separate device via suitable communication means, such as a wifi system, Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags or other short range wireless technologies.

[0113] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the controller activates the aerosol generating groups in an order input into the controller via a machine-readable feature located on a consumable that is placed in the device. In some embodiments, the machine-readable feature may be, for example, a physical surface feature such as a pattern of upstanding features or recesses on the face of the consumable, a bar code, or a quick response (QR) code.

[0114] In one of any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to activate the aerosol generating zones in the aerosol generating group in a predetermined order.

[0115] In one of any of the above embodiments, the predetermined activation order of the aerosol generating zones in an aerosol generating group is that all aerosol generating zones in the aerosol generating group are activated substantially simultaneously or simultaneously.

[0116] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, in an aerosol generating group comprising more than one aerosol generating zone, the predetermined activation order of the aerosol generating zones is: activating the aerosol generating zones starting from the aerosol generating zone with the largest distance CD, and activating the aerosol generating zones sequentially in order of decreasing distance CD.

[0117] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, in an aerosol generating group comprising more than one aerosol generating zone, the predetermined activation order of the aerosol generating zones is: activating the aerosol generating zones starting from the aerosol generating zone with the smallest distance CD, and activating the aerosol generating zones sequentially in order of increasing distance CD.

[0118] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, in an aerosol generating group comprising more than one aerosol generating region, the time period between activation of a first aerosol generating region to be activated and activation of a second or subsequent aerosol generating region depends at least in part on one or more of the following:

[0119] - the distance CD of the second or subsequent aerosol generation zone, and

[0120] - The surface area CA of the second or subsequent aerosol generating zone.

[0121] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each aerosol generating region in the aerosol generating group remains activated for a predetermined length of time.

[0122] In one of any of the above embodiments, each aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group remains activated for the same predetermined length of time.

[0123] In one of any of the above embodiments, the predetermined length of time that the aerosol generating zone remains activated depends at least in part on one or more of:

[0124] - the distance CD of the aerosol generation zone,

[0125] - the surface area CA of the aerosol generating zone, and

[0126] - When the aerosol generating zone is activated relative to any other aerosol generating zone in the same aerosol generating group.

[0127] In one of any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to activate an aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group, and the activation causes the aerosol generating zone to be heated to one or more predetermined temperatures.

[0128] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the apparatus further comprises one or more means for determining the temperature to which the one or more aerosol generating regions have been heated.

[0129] In one of any of the above embodiments, the predetermined temperature of each aerosol generating zone is the same.

[0130] In one of any of the above embodiments, in an aerosol generating group comprising more than one aerosol generating zone, the predetermined temperature of at least one aerosol generating zone is different from the predetermined temperature of at least one other aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group.

[0131] In one of any of the above embodiments, the predetermined temperature of at least one aerosol generating zone in an aerosol generating group is different from the predetermined temperature of at least one aerosol generating zone in another aerosol generating group.

[0132] In one of any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to activate an aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group, and the activation causes the aerosol generating zone to heat following a predetermined temperature profile.

[0133] In one of any of the above embodiments, the predetermined temperature profile of each aerosol generating zone is the same.

[0134] In one of any of the above embodiments, in a same aerosol generating group comprising more than one aerosol generating zone, the predetermined temperature profile of at least one aerosol generating zone is different from the predetermined temperature profile of at least one other aerosol generating zone.

[0135] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to activate the aerosol generating zone of at least one aerosol generating group to be heated to a predetermined temperature or according to a predetermined temperature curve, which is different from the predetermined temperature or predetermined temperature curve of at least one other aerosol generating group.

[0136] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the device further comprises an aerosol generating chamber for receiving the consumable product, the chamber being at least partially defined by one or more chamber walls, and the at least one aerosol generating zone being located on or within a chamber wall.

[0137] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the chamber and the consumable are configured such that the consumable may be placed in the chamber only when the consumable has a predetermined orientation relative to the chamber.

[0138] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the chamber and the consumable are configured such that the consumable can be placed in the chamber when the consumable is in one of a plurality of predetermined orientations relative to the chamber.

[0139] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the apparatus is provided with means for reorienting the consumable within the chamber.

[0140] An advantage of configuring the chamber and consumable so that the consumable can only be placed in the chamber when it is in one of one or more predetermined orientations relative to the chamber is that this ensures that when the consumable is positioned in the chamber, the aerosol generating zone is in a predetermined position relative to the consumable. In this case, within the chamber includes: completely within the chamber, or within the chamber to the extent required by the design and configuration of the device so that the device of the present disclosure operates satisfactorily. Thus, the consumable can be configured so that when the consumable is in a predetermined orientation, the aerosol generating material supported on the consumable is positioned adjacent to the aerosol generating zone.

[0141] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a line of symmetry, and the line of symmetry passes through the aerosol outlet.

[0142] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a first line of symmetry and a second line of symmetry, and the first line of symmetry passes through the aerosol outlet.

[0143] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the first line of symmetry is perpendicular to the second line of symmetry.

[0144] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the position of the aerosol generating zone within the device is symmetrical about one or two lines of symmetry.

[0145] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generating zones within the aerosol generating group are symmetric about one or two lines of symmetry.

[0146] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, position AO is located on the first symmetry line or the second symmetry line.

[0147] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, when there is an air inlet having a geometric center at position AI, position AI and position AO are located on the same symmetry line.

[0148] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, when there are multiple air inlets and one of the air inlets has a geometric center located at position AI, position AI is located on the same symmetry line as position AO, and the other air inlets are located symmetrically about the symmetry line including position AO.

[0149] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, when there are a plurality of air inlets, the air inlets are positioned symmetrically about the first line of symmetry.

[0150] One advantage of the device of the present disclosure is that a uniform and consistent user experience can be achieved when the device is in use. In more detail, treating the aerosol generating zones as each being part of an aerosol generating group enables a consistent aerosol experience to be provided to the user. This is because the average distance of the aerosol generating zones in one aerosol generating group from the aerosol outlet is the same or approximately the same as the distance of the aerosol generating zones in each of the other aerosol generating groups from the aerosol outlet. This has the following effect: as the user draws from the device, the amount of time it takes for the aerosol generating zones in the aerosol generating group to generate aerosol in the aerosol generating part of the device / the distance the aerosol travels through the aerosol generating part of the device, and therefore the amount of aerosol that will condense before the aerosol is drawn out of the device, will be constant or approximately constant.

[0151] Another advantage of some embodiments of the present disclosure is that the use of an aerosol generating zone as part of an aerosol generating group enables a high degree of control over the total length of time that the aerosol generating group generates aerosol. This is directly related to the length of time that the aerosol can escape from the aerosol generating device through the aerosol outlet.

[0152] The consumables in this specification may be referred to alternatively as products.

[0153] In some embodiments, the consumable includes an aerosol generating material. The consumable may include an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material delivery component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a wrapper, an aerosol modifier, one or more active ingredients, one or more flavoring agents, one or more aerosol former materials, and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0154] A device for heating aerosol generating materials to be used with a consumable is part of a non-flammable aerosol supply system. Non-flammable aerosol supply systems release compounds from aerosol generating materials without burning the aerosol generating materials, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products and hybrid systems to generate aerosols using a combination of aerosol generating materials.

[0155] According to the present disclosure, a "non-flammable" aerosol supply system is an aerosol supply system in which the constituent aerosol generating materials of the aerosol supply system (or components thereof) do not burn or ignite to deliver at least one substance to a user.

[0156] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-flammable aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-flammable aerosol supply system.

[0157] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as an atomizing device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not required.

[0158] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0159] In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosol generating materials to generate an aerosol, wherein one or more of the aerosol generating materials can be heated. Each aerosol generating material can be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol generating material and a solid aerosol generating material. The solid aerosol generating material can include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0160] Generally, a non-flammable aerosol supply system may include a non-flammable aerosol supply device and consumables for use with the non-flammable aerosol supply device.

[0161] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that include an aerosol generating material and are configured for use with a non-flammable aerosol supply device. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles in the present disclosure.

[0162] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system, such as a non-flammable aerosol supply device thereof, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, an electrical source or an exothermic source. In some embodiments, the exothermic source includes a carbon matrix that may be powered to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol generating material or a heat transfer material proximate to the exothermic source.

[0163] In some embodiments, a non-flammable aerosol supply system may include an area for receiving a consumable product, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0164] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-flammable aerosol supply device may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material conveying component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a shell, a wrapping paper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0165] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a consumable suitable for use with an aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure. The aerosol supply device includes a position AO. The consumable includes a plurality of discrete parts containing an aerosol generating material, and each discrete part has a geometric center. When the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the position AO, the geometric center of the discrete part is spaced a distance PD from the position AO. Each discrete part is a member of a part group among a plurality of part groups. The average value of the distance PD of all discrete parts included in a part group is the group distance GPD, the average value of the group distance GPD of all part groups is the distance MGPD, and the difference between each group distance GPD and the distance MGPD is less than 15.0% of the distance MGPD.

[0166] The distance PD of each discrete portion may be different.

[0167] For the purpose of calculating the geometric center of the discrete portion, the discrete portion is considered to be two-dimensional and the discrete portion is the surface of the discrete portion that is exposed to or adjacent to the aerosol generating zone when the consumable of the present disclosure is in use.

[0168] The predetermined position and orientation of the consumable item relative to position AO corresponds to the position in which the consumable item is located when the apparatus of the first aspect of the present disclosure is in use.

[0169] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a consumable suitable for use with an aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the device comprises an aerosol outlet position AO, wherein:

[0170] The consumable comprises a plurality of discrete portions of aerosol generating material,

[0171] Each aerosol generating material portion has a surface area PA,

[0172] Each aerosol generating material portion is a member of one of a plurality of portion groups,

[0173] Each portion group comprises at least one aerosol generating material portion,

[0174] The sum of the surface areas PA of all aerosol generating material portions included in a portion group is the area TPA,

[0175] The average of the areas TPA of all the partial groups is MTPA, and

[0176] The difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 15.0% of area MTPA.

[0177] The surface area PA of each discrete portion may be different.

[0178] In one of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each group distance GPD and the distance MGPD is less than 12.5% ​​of the distance MGPD.

[0179] In one of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each group distance GPD and the distance MGPD is less than 10.0% of the distance MGPD.

[0180] In one of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each group distance GPD and the distance MGPD is less than 7.5% of the distance MGPD.

[0181] In one of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each group distance GPD and the distance MGPD is less than 5.0% of the distance MGPD.

[0182] In one of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each group distance GPD and the distance MGPD is less than 2.5% of the distance MGPD.

[0183] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each discrete portion has a surface area PA, the sum of the surface areas PA of all discrete portions included in a portion group is an area TPA,

[0184] The average of the areas TPA of all the partial groups is MTPA, and

[0185] The difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 15.0% of area MTPA.

[0186] For the purpose of calculating the geometric center of the discrete portion, the discrete portion is considered to be two-dimensional and the discrete portion is the surface of the discrete portion that is exposed to or adjacent to the aerosol generating zone when the consumable of the present disclosure is in use.

[0187] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 12.5% ​​of area MTPA.

[0188] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 10.0% of area MTPA.

[0189] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 7.5% of area MTPA.

[0190] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 5.0% of area MTPA.

[0191] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 2.5% of area MTPA.

[0192] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each discrete portion has a surface area PA,

[0193] The average of the surface areas PA of all discrete parts included in the group of parts is the area MPA, and

[0194] The difference between each area PA and the area MPA is less than 15.0% of the area MPA.

[0195] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area PA and the area MPA is less than 12.5% ​​of the area MPA.

[0196] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area PA and the area MPA is less than 10.0% of the area MPA.

[0197] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area PA and the area MPA is less than 7.5% of the area MPA.

[0198] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area PA and the area MPA is less than 5.0% of the area MPA.

[0199] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the difference between each area PA and the area MPA is less than 2.5% of the area MPA.

[0200] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the consumable further comprises an aerosol outlet having a geometric center, and the geometric center of the aerosol outlet is co-located with position AO.

[0201] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the consumable further comprises a mouthpiece, and the aerosol outlet is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece.

[0202] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the mouthpiece is integrally formed with the aerosol outlet of the consumable product and is made of the same material.

[0203] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol outlet comprises a receiving portion, and the mouthpiece is reversibly or permanently engageable with the receiving portion.

[0204] An advantage of having the mouthpiece integral with the consumable is that this helps to ensure a good flow path for the aerosol from the space or volume where the aerosol is generated to the user's mouth. This is because the risk of leakage is reduced compared to if the mouthpiece is part of the device using the consumable.

[0205] Another advantage is the improved hygiene as the mouthpiece is disposed of when the consumable is used up. This is in contrast to an arrangement where the mouthpiece can be used for multiple consumables where there is a risk that the user does not clean the mouthpiece or does not clean the mouthpiece sufficiently to make it hygienic. A hygienic mouthpiece is beneficial to the health of the user and is less likely to introduce any undesirable flavours into the aerosol before it is inhaled by the user.

[0206] Making the mouthpiece an integral part of the consumable has another advantage in that it means that the mouthpiece can be made from the same or similar material as the rest of the consumable. This has the effect that the mouthpiece will be heated at a similar rate to the rest of the consumable, thereby reducing the likelihood of condensation forming on the mouthpiece. This will help provide a consistent session / user experience between different consumables.

[0207] In one of any of the above embodiments, at least one portion group includes a non-zero number of discrete portions that is different from a non-zero number of discrete portions included in at least one other portion group.

[0208] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one portion group includes one discrete portion, and at least one portion group includes at least two discrete portions.

[0209] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, one portion group includes one discrete portion and at least one portion group includes at least two discrete portions.

[0210] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, two of the portion groups include one discrete portion and at least one of the portion groups includes at least two discrete portions.

[0211] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, three of the portion groups include one discrete portion, and at least one of the portion groups includes at least two discrete portions.

[0212] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each group of portions that does not include a discrete portion includes two discrete portions.

[0213] In one of any of the above embodiments, the composition of the discrete portions in at least one portion group is different from the composition of the discrete portions in at least one other portion group.

[0214] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the discrete portion is a film of aerosol generating material.

[0215] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the consumable includes at least one supporting portion, and each supporting portion supports at least one discrete portion.

[0216] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the consumable includes one support portion, and the support portion supports all of the discrete parts.

[0217] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the support supports all of the discrete portions on one surface of the support.

[0218] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the consumable product includes two or more support portions, and at least one support portion supports all of the discrete parts it supports on one surface of the support portion.

[0219] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the or at least one support portion is a substantially flat sheet of material.

[0220] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the or at least one support portion is a sheet material, and the sheet material is formed into a three-dimensional shape.

[0221] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the or at least one sheet material is formed into a tube.

[0222] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the support portion or at least one support portion is rod-shaped. In such an embodiment, the support portion or at least one support portion is elongated in shape, wherein the dimensions of the support portion in two orthogonal directions (width and thickness) perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the support portion are significant. Alternatively stated, in such an embodiment, the support portion or at least one support portion is not a sheet, strip or tape containing material.

[0223] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the tube or rod has a longitudinal extension, and the cross-section of the tube or rod in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension is circular, approximately circular, square, approximately square, polygonal or approximately polygonal.

[0224] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the or at least one support portion comprises a susceptor.

[0225] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the susceptor is a metal or a metal alloy.

[0226] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the susceptor is aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0227] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the susceptor is a foil or a membrane.

[0228] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the support portion is a laminate material.

[0229] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one layer of the laminate is a susceptor. In some embodiments, at least one other layer of the laminate is formed from a paper, cardboard or plastic material.

[0230] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the consumable further comprises a cover, and the at least one discrete portion is covered by the cover.

[0231] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the support portion or at least one support portion supports at least one portion of the cover, at least one volume portion is defined between the support portion or at least one support portion and the cover, and the at least one volume portion is configured so that when at least one discrete portion is caused to generate an aerosol, the discrete portion releases the aerosol into the volume portion. This has the advantage that the cover can keep the aerosol in a desired location and prevent the aerosol from traveling to undesired locations. In some embodiments, the cover prevents the aerosol from entering the device, thereby reducing the risk of aerosol condensation in the device. This facilitates cleaning and hygiene of the device.

[0232] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least two volumes are defined between the support portion or at least one support portion and the cover, and each volume is configured so that when at least one discrete portion is caused to generate an aerosol, the discrete portion releases the aerosol into the volume.

[0233] In one of any of the above embodiments, at least one volume is configured such that when all discrete portions in a portion group are caused to generate aerosol, the discrete portions in the portion group release aerosol into the volume.

[0234] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, a non-zero number of volumes is defined between the support portion or at least one support portion and the cover, the number of non-zero number of volumes being equal to the number of discrete portions, and each volume being associated with one of the discrete portions. In such an embodiment, when each discrete portion is caused to generate an aerosol, the discrete portion releases the aerosol into the volume associated with the discrete portion.

[0235] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, there are at least two volumes, and two or more of the volumes are in fluid communication with each other via one or more channels, and the one or more channels are defined between the support portion or at least one support portion and the cover. In some embodiments, the channels connect the volumes associated with all discrete parts in a portion group together. The layout and configuration of the channels can help provide a consistent user experience for each portion group.

[0236] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the consumable further comprises an air inlet.

[0237] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the cover includes an air inlet.

[0238] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the air inlet has a geometric center at position AI, and the relationship between position AI and the discrete portion is the same as the relationship between the discrete portion and the aerosol outlet position AO.

[0239] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the consumable or cover further comprises a plurality of air inlets.

[0240] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, an air inlet of the plurality of air inlets has a geometric center located at position AI.

[0241] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the consumable comprises a line of symmetry, and the line of symmetry passes through the aerosol outlet when the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to position AO.

[0242] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator further comprises a second line of symmetry.

[0243] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the first line of symmetry is perpendicular to the second line of symmetry.

[0244] In one of any of the above embodiments, the positions of the discrete portions relative to each other are symmetrical about one or both lines of symmetry.

[0245] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, position AO is located on the first symmetry line or the second symmetry line.

[0246] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, when there is an air inlet having a geometric center at position AI, position AI and position AO are located on the same symmetry line.

[0247] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, when there are multiple air inlets and one of the air inlets has a geometric center located at position AI, position AI is located on the same symmetry line as position AO, and the other air inlets are located symmetrically about the symmetry line including position AO.

[0248] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, when there are a plurality of air inlets, the air inlets are positioned symmetrically about the first line of symmetry.

[0249] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply device for use with a consumable according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure is provided, wherein the device includes an aerosol generator configured to heat at least a portion of an aerosol generating material supported on a support portion.

[0250] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply system is provided, the aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device and the consumables according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0251] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply system is provided, the aerosol supply system comprising a consumable and the aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0252] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol supply system is provided, comprising the aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure and the consumables according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0253] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each aerosol generating zone is adjacent to a discrete portion when the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to position AO.

[0254] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each aerosol generating zone has a surface area CA and each discrete portion has a surface area PA, and the surface area CA and the surface area PA are equal, or the difference between the minimum surface area and the maximum surface area in the surface area is less than 15.0%, less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5% or less than 5% of the minimum surface area.

[0255] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, each aerosol generating region completely covers the discrete portion adjacent thereto, or each aerosol generating region is completely covered by the discrete portion adjacent thereto.

[0256] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, when the consumable is in the predetermined position and orientation relative to position AO, the geometric centre of each aerosol generating zone is adjacent to the geometric centre of the discrete portion.

[0257] According to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for generating an aerosol from a consumable according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure using an aerosol supply device, the aerosol supply device having at least one aerosol generator arranged to heat but not burn discrete portions during use; wherein at least one aerosol generator is a resistive heater element or a magnetic field generator and a receptor.

[0258] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for generating aerosol from a consumable according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure using the aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0259] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating an aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure is provided, wherein the controller activates the aerosol generating zones in one or more aerosol generating groups upon receiving a signal.

[0260] According to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating an aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure is provided, wherein a controller activates aerosol generating groups according to a predetermined order, and each aerosol generating group is activated when a signal to activate the next aerosol generating group is received.

[0261] In one of any of the above embodiments, the or each signal is generated by a user of the aerosol supply device.

[0262] In one of any of the above embodiments, the or each signal is generated by the puff detection means, which occurs when the puff detection means detects that a user is taking a puff from the aerosol supply means.

[0263] According to the thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, a method for providing a non-zero number of separate aerosols is provided, wherein the method comprises: providing an aerosol supply device according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure; providing at least one consumable according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure; causing the device to activate an aerosol generating zone in an aerosol generating group a non-zero number of times, wherein the non-zero number of times is two or more times; and for each activation of the aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group, at least one characteristic of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group each time the aerosol generating zone is activated is the same.

[0264] In one of any of the above embodiments, the non-zero number is the number of aerosol generating groups in the aerosol supply device.

[0265] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the characteristic is the same when the difference between the characteristic value at a particular activation of an aerosol generating zone in an aerosol generating group and the average value of the characteristic over a non-zero number of activations is less than 15.0%, less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0% or less than 2.5% of the average value of the characteristic over a non-zero number of activations.

[0266] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the property is one of: volume of the aerosol, temperature of the aerosol, usable duration of the aerosol, density of aerosol droplets, and ratio of one or more components in the aerosol. Any property value can be measured using known techniques.

[0267] Aerosol generating materials are materials capable of generating an aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way.Aerosol generating materials may for example be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (such as a gel), which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavourings.

[0268] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and / or flavouring agents, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0269] The aerosol generating material can include a binder (such as a gelling agent) and an aerosol forming agent. Optionally, there can also be a substance to be delivered and / or a filler. Optionally, there is also a solvent (such as water), and one or more other components of the aerosol generating material can be dissolved in the solvent or can be insoluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material is substantially free of plant material. Specifically, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0270] The aerosol generating material may include or be in the form of an aerosol generating film. The aerosol generating film may include an adhesive (such as a gelling agent) and an aerosol forming agent. Optionally, there may also be a substance to be delivered and / or a filler. The aerosol generating film may be substantially free of plant material. Specifically, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0271] The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm. For example, the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.

[0272] An aerosol-forming film can be formed by mixing a binder (such as a gelling agent) with a solvent (such as water), an aerosol former, and one or more other components (such as one or more substances to be delivered) to form a slurry, and then heating the slurry to aerosolize at least some of the solvent to form an aerosol-forming film.

[0273] The slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt%, or 90 wt% of the solvent.

[0274] The aerosol generating material may include or may be an "amorphous solid". In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material includes an aerosol generating film that is an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid". The amorphous solid may be substantially non-fibrous. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid (e.g., liquid) inside it. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may, for example, include from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% amorphous solid.

[0275] The amorphous solid may be substantially free of plant material.The amorphous solid may be substantially free of tobacco.

[0276] A susceptor is a material that can be heated by being penetrated with a varying magnetic field (e.g., an alternating magnetic field). A susceptor can be a conductive material such that its penetration by a varying magnetic field results in inductive heating of the susceptor through resistive heating caused by eddy currents. A heating material can be a magnetic material such that its penetration by a varying magnetic field results in hysteresis heating of the susceptor. A susceptor can be both conductive and magnetic such that the susceptor can be heated by both heating mechanisms. A device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is called a magnetic field generator.

[0277] The susceptor may comprise a ferromagnetic metal, such as iron or an iron alloy (such as steel or an iron-nickel alloy). Some exemplary ferromagnetic metals are 400 series stainless steel, such as 410 grade stainless steel, or 420 grade stainless steel, or 430 grade stainless steel or similar grades of stainless steel. Alternatively, the susceptor may comprise a suitable non-magnetic (particularly paramagnetic) conductive material, such as aluminum. In a paramagnetic conductive material, induction heating occurs only by resistive heating caused by eddy currents. Alternatively, the susceptor may comprise a non-conductive ferrimagnetic material, such as a non-conductive ferrimagnetic ceramic. In this case, heat is generated only by hysteresis losses. The susceptor may comprise an industrial alloy, such as Phytherm 230 (composition (by weight percentage = wt%) of 50 wt% Ni, 10 wt% Cr and the remainder Fe), or Phytherm 260 (composition of 50 wt% Ni, 9 wt% Cr and the remainder iron).

[0278] In one embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises an active substance.

[0279] Active substances as used herein can be physiologically active materials, which are materials intended to achieve or enhance physiological responses. Active substances can be, for example, selected from nutrients, nootropics, psychoactive substances. Active substances can be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. Active substances can include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, terpenes, caffeine, vitamins (such as B6 or B12 or C), melatonin, or components, derivatives or combinations thereof. Active substances can include one or more components, derivatives or extracts of tobacco or other plants.

[0280] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

[0281] The active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "plant" includes any material derived from a plant, including but not limited to extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, shells, husks, etc. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally present in a plant, which is obtained by synthesis. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, fragments, strips, sheets, etc. Examples of plants are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, fennel, lemongrass, mint, spearmint, red tea tree, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay, licorice, matcha, mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea (e.g., green or black), thyme, cloves, cinnamon, coffee, anise (fennel), basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, red pepper, rosemary, saffron, lavender, Grass, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderberry, vanilla, holly, basil plant, turmeric, turmeric root powder, sandalwood, coriander leaf, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, black currant, valerian, Spanish bell pepper, nutmeg, dammarin, marjoram, olive, lemon mint, lemon basil, chives, parsley, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, tetramethyluric acid, maca, Indian ginseng, damson, Guanna tea, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. Mint can be selected from the following mint varieties: wild mint, mint cv, Egyptian mint, peppermint, basil mint cv, peppermint cv, spearmint, heart-leaf spearmint, long-leaf mint, pineapple mint, lip calyx mint, spearmint cv, and apple mint.

[0282] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives, or extracts thereof, and the plant is tobacco.

[0283] In some embodiments, the active ingredient comprises or is derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the plant is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, and cocoa.

[0284] In some embodiments, the active ingredient comprises or is derived from one or more plants or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the plants are selected from the group consisting of red leaf tea tree and fennel.

[0285] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a flavoring or fragrance.

[0286] As used herein, the terms "flavoring" and "flavoring" refer to materials that can be used to produce a taste, aroma or other physical sensation desired by adult consumers in a product, where permitted by local regulations. These components can include naturally occurring flavoring materials, plants, extracts of plants, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese magnolia leaves, chamomile, fenugreek, cloves, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (fennel), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian seasoning, Asian seasoning, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, cranberry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, citrus, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, yellow, grapes, durian, pitaya, cucumber, blueberries, mulberries, citrus fruits, durin brand, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, mint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, bitter bean peel, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat tea, sorghum, betel leaf, coriander, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cinnamon, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage grass, fennel, mustard, green pepper, ginger, cilantro, coffee, mint oil from any species of the mint family, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, red beans, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazelnuts, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange peel, rose, tea (e.g., green or black), thyme, juniper, elderberry, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, chili pepper, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, basil, turmeric, coriander, myrtle, black currant, valerian, Spanish bell pepper, mace, dahlia The invention relates to a novel food additive comprising a flavor enhancer, a bitter taste receptor site blocker, a sensory receptor site activator or stimulator, a sugar and / or sugar substitute (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plants, or breath fresheners. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, a liquid such as an oil, a solid such as a powder, or a gas.

[0287] In some embodiments, the flavoring comprises menthol, spearmint and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring comprises a flavoring component of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruit and / or cranberry. In some embodiments, the flavoring comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring comprises a flavoring component extracted from tobacco.

[0288] In some embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of aroma or taste nerves, the flavoring agent may contain a sensory agent that is intended to achieve the somatic sensations typically chemically induced and sensed by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), and these may include agents that provide heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effects. Suitable thermal effect agents may be, but are not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and suitable cooling agents may be, but are not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

[0289] The aerosol generating material comprises an aerosol generating agent. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may comprise one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetyl glycerol mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzylphenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and one or more of propylene carbonate. In a specific example, the aerosol generating agent comprises glycerol.

[0290] In some embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises: one or more polyols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, and glycerol; esters of polyols, such as glycerol monoacetate, diacetate, or triacetate; and / or aliphatic esters of mono-, di-, or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

[0291] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material can include from about 0.1 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt%, 7 wt%, or 10 wt% to about 50 wt%, 45 wt%, 40 wt%, 35 wt%, 30 wt%, or 25 wt% of an aerosol generating agent (all by dry weight). The aerosol generating agent can act as a plasticizer. For example, the aerosol generating material can include 0.5 wt% to 40 wt%, 3 wt% to 35 wt%, or 10 wt% to 25 wt% of an aerosol generating agent.

[0292] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material can contain from about 5wt%, 10wt%, 20wt%, 25wt%, 27wt% or 30wt% to about 60wt%, 55wt%, 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt% or 35wt% of an aerosol generating agent (DWB). For example, the aerosol generating material can contain 10wt% to 60wt%, 20wt% to 50wt%, 25wt% to 40wt% or 30wt% to 35wt% of an aerosol generating agent.

[0293] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may contain up to about 80 wt % aerosol generating agent (DWB), such as about 40 wt % to 80 wt %, 40 wt % to 75 wt %, 50 wt % to 70 wt %, or 55 wt % to 65 wt % aerosol generating agent.

[0294] Aerosol generating material can also include gelling agent.In some embodiments, gelling agent includes hydrocolloid.In some embodiments, gelling agent includes one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of the following items: alginate, pectin, starch (and derivatives), cellulose (and derivatives), gum, silicon dioxide or silicone compound, clay, polyvinyl alcohol and combination thereof.For example, in some embodiments, gelling agent includes one or more of the following items: alginate, pectin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, pullulan, xanthan gum guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, gum arabic, fumed silica, PDMS, sodium silicate, kaolin and polyvinyl alcohol.In some cases, gelling agent includes alginate and / or pectin, and can be mixed with curing agent (such as calcium source) during formation of aerosol generating material.In some cases, aerosol generating material can include calcium cross-linked alginate and / or calcium cross-linked pectin.

[0295] In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of cellulosic gelling agents, non-cellulosic gelling agents, guar gum, gum arabic, and mixtures thereof.

[0296] In some embodiments, the cellulose gelling agent is selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose fiber acid (CMC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), and combinations thereof.

[0297] In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises (or is) one or more of the following: hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), carboxymethyl cellulose, guar gum, and gum arabic.

[0298] In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises (or is) one or more non-cellulose gelling agents, including but not limited to agar, xanthan gum, gum arabic, guar gum, locust bean gum, pectin, carrageenan, starch, alginate and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the non-cellulose based gelling agent is alginate or agar.

[0299] In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises alginate, and the amount of alginate in the aerosol-generating material is 10 wt % to 30 wt % (by dry weight) of the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, alginate is the only gelling agent present in the aerosol-generating material. In other embodiments, the gelling agent comprises alginate and at least one other gelling agent, such as pectin.

[0300] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises from about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, or 25 wt% to about 60 wt%, 50 wt%, 45 wt%, 40 wt%, or 35 wt% of the gelling agent (all by dry weight). For example, the aerosol-generating material can comprise 1 wt% to 50 wt%, 5 wt% to 45 wt%, 10 wt% to 40 wt%, or 20 wt% to 35 wt% of the gelling agent.

[0301] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises from about 20 wt%, 22 wt%, 24 wt% or 25 wt% to about 30 wt%, 32 wt% or 35 wt% of the gelling agent (all by dry weight). For example, the aerosol-generating material can comprise 20 wt% to 35 wt%, or 25 wt% to 30 wt% of the gelling agent.

[0302] In some cases, the aerosol-generating material can contain from about 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, or 20 wt% to about 60 wt%, 50 wt%, 40 wt%, 30 wt%, or 25 wt% of the gelling agent (DWB). For example, the aerosol-generating material can contain 10 wt% to 40 wt%, 15 wt% to 30 wt%, or 20 wt% to 25 wt% of the gelling agent (DWB).

[0303] In an example, the aerosol-generating material comprises a gelling agent and a filler, and their total amount is about 10wt%, 20wt%, 25wt%, 30wt% or 35wt% to about 60wt%, 55wt%, 50wt% or 45wt% of the aerosol-generating material. In an example, the aerosol-generating material comprises a gelling agent and a filler, and their total amount is about 20wt% to 60wt%, 25wt% to 55wt%, 30wt% to 50wt%, or 35wt% to 45wt% of the aerosol-generating material.

[0304] In an example, the aerosol-generating material comprises a gelling agent (i.e., without regard to the amount of filler) in an amount of about 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, 25 wt%, 30 wt%, or 35 wt% to about 60 wt%, 55 wt%, 50 wt%, or 45 wt% of the aerosol-generating material. In an example, the aerosol-generating material comprises a gelling agent (i.e., without regard to the amount of filler) in an amount of about 5 wt% to 60 wt%, 20 wt% to 60 wt%, 25 wt% to 55 wt%, 30 wt% to 50 wt%, or 35 wt% to 45 wt% of the aerosol-generating material.

[0305] In some examples, the amount of alginate in the gelling agent is about 5wt% to 40wt% of the aerosol-generating material, or 15wt% to 40wt%. That is, the aerosol-generating material contains alginate in an amount of about 5wt% to 40wt% (by dry weight) of the aerosol-generating material, or 15wt% to 40wt%. In some examples, the aerosol-generating material contains alginate in an amount of about 20wt% to 40wt%, or about 15wt% to 35wt% of the aerosol-generating material.

[0306] In some examples, the amount of pectin in the gelling agent is about 3 wt % to 15 wt % of the aerosol-forming material. That is, the aerosol-forming material includes pectin in an amount of about 3 wt % to 15 wt % (by dry weight) of the aerosol-forming material. In some examples, the aerosol-forming material includes pectin in an amount of about 5 wt % to 10 wt % of the aerosol-forming material.

[0307] In some examples, the amount of guar gum in the gelling agent is about 3 wt % to 40 wt % of the aerosol-generating material. That is, the aerosol-generating material includes guar gum in an amount of about 3 wt % to 40 wt % of the aerosol-generating material (by dry weight). In some examples, the aerosol-generating material includes guar gum in an amount of about 5 wt % to 10 wt % of the aerosol-generating material. In some examples, the aerosol-generating material includes guar gum in an amount of about 15 wt % to 40 wt %, or about 20 wt % to 40 wt %, or about 15 wt % to 35 wt % of the aerosol-generating material.

[0308] In an example, the amount of alginate is at least about 50wt% of the gelling agent. In an example, the aerosol generating material comprises alginate and pectin, and the ratio of alginate to pectin is 1:1 to 10:1. The ratio of alginate to pectin is usually >1:1, that is, the amount of alginate is greater than the amount of pectin. In an example, the ratio of alginate to pectin is about 2:1 to 8:1, or about 3:1 to 6:1, or about 4:1.

[0309] The aerosol-generating material may be formed by step (a) forming a slurry containing components of the aerosol-generating material or a precursor thereof, step (b) forming a slurry layer, step (c) solidifying the slurry to form a gel, and step (d) drying to form the aerosol-generating material.

[0310] Step (b) forming the slurry layer generally comprises spraying, casting or extruding the slurry. In an example, the slurry layer is formed by electrospraying the slurry. In an example, the slurry layer is formed by casting the slurry.

[0311] In some examples, step (b) and / or step (c) and / or step (d) occur at least partially simultaneously (e.g., during electrospraying). In some examples, step (b), step (c), and step (d) occur sequentially.

[0312] In some examples, the slurry is applied to the support. A slurry layer may be formed on the support.

[0313] In an example, the slurry comprises a gelling agent, an aerosol forming material and an active substance. The slurry may comprise these components in any proportion given herein in relation to the composition of the aerosol generating material. For example, the slurry may comprise (by dry weight):

[0314] - a gelling agent and optionally a filler, wherein the total amount of the gelling agent and the filler is about 10 wt % to 60 wt % of the slurry;

[0315] - an aerosol former material in an amount of about 40 wt % to 80 wt % of the slurry; and

[0316] - Optionally, an active substance in an amount of up to about 20 wt % of the slurry.

[0317] The step (c) of solidifying the gel may include supplying a solidifying agent to the slurry. For example, the slurry may include sodium alginate, potassium alginate or ammonium alginate as a gel precursor, and a solidifying agent including a calcium source (such as calcium chloride) may be added to the slurry to form a calcium alginate gel.

[0318] In an example, the curing agent comprises or consists of calcium acetate, calcium formate, calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, calcium lactate, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the curing agent comprises or consists of calcium formate and / or calcium lactate. In a specific example, the curing agent comprises or consists of calcium formate. It has been shown that, in general, the use of calcium formate as a curing agent results in aerosol-generating materials having greater tensile strength and greater resistance to elongation.

[0319] The total amount of curing agent (such as a calcium source) may be from 0.5 wt% to 5 wt% (by dry weight). Suitably, the total amount may be from about 1 wt%, 2.5 wt% or 4 wt% to about 4.8 wt% or 4.5 wt%. It has been found that adding too little curing agent may result in the aerosol-generating material being unable to stabilize the aerosol-generating material components and causing these components to fall out of the aerosol-generating material. It has been found that adding too much curing agent may result in the aerosol-generating material being very viscous and therefore having poor workability.

[0320] When the aerosol generating material does not contain tobacco, it may be necessary to apply a larger amount of curing agent. Therefore, in some cases, the total amount of curing agent can be 0.5wt% to 12wt% (by dry weight), such as 5wt% to 10wt%. Suitably, the total amount can be from about 5wt%, 6wt% or 7wt% to about 12wt% or 10wt%. In this case, the aerosol generating material does not contain any tobacco usually.

[0321] In an example, supplying the curing agent to the slurry includes spraying the curing agent on the slurry, such as a top surface of the slurry.

[0322] Alginates are derivatives of alginic acid and are generally high molecular weight polymers (10 kDa to 600 kDa). Alginic acid is a copolymer of β-D-mannuronic acid (M) and α-L-guluronic acid (G) units (blocks), linked together by (1,4)-glycosidic bonds to form a polysaccharide. Upon addition of calcium cations, alginate crosslinks to form a gel. It has been found that alginates with a higher content of G monomers are more likely to form a gel upon addition of a calcium source. Thus, in some cases, the gel precursor may comprise alginate wherein at least about 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60% or 70% of the monomer units in the alginate copolymer are α-L-guluronic acid (G) units.

[0323] In examples, the drying step (d) removes about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt% or 90 wt% to about 80 wt%, 90 wt% or 95 wt% (WWB) of water from the slurry. In examples, the drying step (d) reduces the thickness of the cast material by at least 80%, suitably 85% or 87%. For example, the slurry is cast to a thickness of 2 mm and the resulting dried aerosol-forming material has a thickness of 0.2 mm.

[0324] In some examples, the solvent of the slurry consists essentially of or consists of water. In some examples, the slurry comprises about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, or 90 wt% solvent (WWB).

[0325] In instances where the solvent consists of water, the dry weight content of the slurry may be matched to the dry weight content of the aerosol-forming material.

[0326] The aerosol generating material may include flavoring agents. Suitably, the aerosol generating material may include up to about 80wt%, 70wt%, 60wt%, 55wt%, 50wt% or 45wt% of flavoring agents. In some cases, the aerosol generating material may include at least about 0.1wt%, 1wt%, 10wt%, 20wt%, 30wt%, 35wt% or 40wt% of flavoring agents (all by dry weight). For example, the aerosol generating material may include 1wt% to 80wt%, 10wt% to 80wt%, 20wt% to 70wt%, 30wt% to 60wt%, 35wt% to 55wt%, or 30wt% to 45wt% of flavoring agents. In some cases, the flavoring agent includes menthol, is substantially composed of menthol or is composed of menthol.

[0327] The aerosol-generating material may comprise a filler.

[0328] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises less than 60 wt% filler, such as 1 wt% to 60 wt%, or 5 wt% to 50 wt%, or 5 wt% to 30 wt%, or 10 wt% to 20 wt% filler.

[0329] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises less than 20 wt%, suitably less than 10 wt%, or less than 5 wt% filler.In some cases, the aerosol generating material comprises less than 1 wt% filler, and in some cases, comprises no filler.

[0330] In this case, the aerosol generating material comprises at least 1 wt% filler, for example, at least 5 wt%, at least 10 wt%, at least 20 wt%, at least 30 wt%, at least 40 wt% or at least 50 wt% filler. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises 5 wt% to 25 wt% filler.

[0331] The filler, if present, may comprise one or more inorganic filler materials, such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, and suitable inorganic adsorbents such as molecular sieves. The filler may comprise one or more organic filler materials, such as wood pulp, cellulose and cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). In specific cases, the aerosol-generating material does not comprise calcium carbonate, such as chalk.

[0332] In embodiments that include a filler, the filler is fibrous. For example, the filler may be a fibrous organic filler material such as wood pulp, cellulose, or a cellulose derivative such as methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC).

[0333] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is said that the addition of fibrous fillers to the aerosol generating material may increase the tensile strength of the material. This may be particularly advantageous in instances where the aerosol generating material is provided as a sheet, such as when a sheet of aerosol generating material surrounds a rod of aerosolizable material.

[0334] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material does not comprise tobacco fibers. In specific embodiments, the aerosol generating material does not comprise fibrous material.

[0335] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and / or flavouring agents, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0336] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material further comprises an active substance. For example, in some cases, the aerosol generating material further comprises tobacco material and / or nicotine. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises powdered tobacco and / or nicotine and / or tobacco extract.

[0337] In some cases, aerosol generating material can comprise tobacco material and / or nicotine of 5wt% to 60wt% (by dry weight basis).In some cases, aerosol generating material can comprise active substance from about 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt%, 35wt% or 30wt% (by dry weight basis).In some cases, aerosol generating material can comprise tobacco material from about 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt%, 35wt% or 30wt% (by dry weight basis). For example, the aerosol generating material can include 10wt% to 50wt%, 15wt% to 40wt% or 20wt% to 35wt% of tobacco material. In some cases, the aerosol generating material can include nicotine from about 1wt%, 2wt%, 3wt% or 4wt% to about 20wt%, 18wt%, 15wt% or 12wt% (by dry weight). For example, the aerosol generating material can include 1wt% to 20wt%, 2wt% to 18wt% or 3wt% to 12wt% of nicotine.

[0338] In some cases, aerosol generating material comprises active substance, such as tobacco extract.In some cases, aerosol generating material can comprise the tobacco extract of 5wt% to 60wt% (by dry weight).In some cases, aerosol generating material can comprise the tobacco extract of from about 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 60wt%, 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt%, 35wt% or 30wt% (by dry weight).For example, aerosol generating material can comprise the tobacco extract of 10wt% to 50wt%, 15wt% to 40wt% or 20wt% to 35wt%.Tobacco extract can comprise the nicotine of certain concentration, makes aerosol generating material comprise the nicotine of 1wt%, 1.5wt%, 2wt% or 2.5wt% to about 6wt%, 5wt%, 4.5wt% or 4wt% (by dry weight). In some cases, the aerosol generating material may contain no nicotine other than that produced by the tobacco extract.

[0339] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material does not contain tobacco material, but does contain nicotine. In this case, the aerosol generating material can contain from about 1wt%, 2wt%, 3wt% or 4wt% to about 20wt%, 18wt%, 15wt% or 12wt% (by dry weight) nicotine. For example, the aerosol generating material can contain 1wt% to 20wt%, 2wt% to 18wt%, or 3wt% to 12wt% nicotine.

[0340] In some cases, the total content of active substance and / or flavoring can be at least about 0.1wt%, 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 20wt%, 25wt% or 30wt%.In some cases, the total content of active substance and / or flavoring can be less than about 90wt%, 80wt%, 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt% or 40wt% (all by dry weight basis).In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine and flavoring can be at least about 0.1wt%, 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 20wt%, 25wt% or 30wt%.In some cases, the total content of active substance and / or flavoring can be less than about 90wt%, 80wt%, 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt% or 40wt% (all by dry weight basis).

[0341] The aerosol-generating composition may include one or more active substances. In an example, the aerosol-generating material includes one or more active substances, such as up to about 20 wt % of the aerosol-generating material. In an example, the aerosol-generating material includes the active substance in an amount of from about 1 wt %, 5 wt %, 10 wt % or 15 wt % to about 20 wt %, 15 wt %, 15 wt % or 5 wt % of the aerosol-generating material.

[0342] The active substance may comprise a physiologically active substance and / or an olfactory active substance, which is included in the aerosol-generating composition to achieve a physiological response and / or an olfactory response.

[0343] The amount of tobacco material in the aerosol-generating composition may be about 50 wt% to 95 wt%, or about 60 wt% to 90 wt%, or about 70 wt% to 90 wt%, or about 75 wt% to 85 wt%.

[0344] The tobacco material may be present in any form, but is typically finely chopped (eg shredded). The finely chopped tobacco material may advantageously be mixed with an aerosol-generating material to provide an aerosol-generating composition, the tobacco material and aerosol-generating material being uniformly dispersed throughout the aerosol-generating composition.

[0345] In an example, tobacco material comprises one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fiber, tobacco shred, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, reconstituted tobacco and / or tobacco extract. Surprisingly, it has been confirmed that relatively large amounts of thin slice tobacco can be used in aerosol generating compositions and acceptable aerosol is still provided when heated by a non-flammable aerosol supply system. Thin slice tobacco provides preferred organoleptic properties conventionally. In an example, tobacco material comprises thin slice tobacco, and its amount is at least about 50wt%, 60wt%, 70wt%, 80wt%, 85wt%, 90wt% or 95wt% of tobacco material. In an instantiation, tobacco material comprises tobacco shred, and its amount is at least about 50wt%, 60wt%, 70wt%, 80wt%, 85wt%, 90wt% or 95wt% of tobacco material.

[0346] The tobacco used to produce the tobacco material may be any suitable tobacco, such as a single grade or blend, shredded tobacco or whole leaf tobacco, including Virginia tobacco and / or Burley tobacco and / or Oriental tobacco.

[0347] In some embodiments, the one or more other functional materials may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a binder, a filler, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0348] In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may also include an emulsifier, which emulsifies the molten flavoring during manufacture. For example, the aerosol-generating material may include about 5 wt % to about 15 wt %, suitably about 10 wt % of an emulsifier (by dry weight). The emulsifier may include gum arabic.

[0349] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is a hydrogel and comprises less than about 20 wt% water (by wet weight). In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise less than about 15 wt%, 12 wt%, or 10 wt% water (by wet weight). In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise at least about 1 wt%, 2 wt%, or at least about 5 wt% water (WWB).

[0350] The aerosol-forming material may have any suitable water content, such as a water content of 1 wt% to 15 wt%. Suitably, the water content of the aerosol-forming material is from about 5 wt%, 7 wt% or 9 wt% to about 15 wt%, 13 wt% or 11 wt% (WWB), most suitably about 10 wt%. The water content of the aerosol-forming material may be determined, for example, by Karl-Fischer titration or gas chromatography with a thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD).

[0351] In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may consist essentially of, or consist of, the gelling agent, water, the aerosol-generating agent, the flavoring agent, and optionally the active substance.

[0352] In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may consist essentially of, or consist of, a gelling agent, water, an aerosol-generating agent, a flavoring agent, and optionally a tobacco material and / or a nicotine source.

[0353] In examples, the aerosol-generating material consists essentially of, or consists of, a gelling agent, an aerosol-generating agent, an active substance, and water. In examples, the aerosol-generating material consists essentially of, or consists of, a gelling agent, an aerosol-generating agent, and water.

[0354] In examples, the aerosol-generating material is free of fragrance, and in specific examples, the aerosol-generating material is free of active substances.

[0355] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises an aerosol-generating material comprising:

[0356] - 1 wt% to 60 wt% of a gelling agent;

[0357] - 0.1 wt% to 50 wt% of an aerosol generating agent; and

[0358] - 0.1 wt% to 80 wt% of flavoring agents;

[0359] Among them, these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.

[0360] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises from 1 wt% to 80 wt% flavoring agent (by dry weight).

[0361] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises:

[0362] - 1 wt% to 50 wt% of a gelling agent;

[0363] - 0.1 wt% to 50 wt% of an aerosol generating agent; and

[0364] - 30 to 60 wt% of flavoring agents;

[0365] Among them, these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.

[0366] In an alternative embodiment of the aerosol generating material, the aerosol generating material comprises an aerosol generating material comprising:

[0367] - 1 wt% to 60 wt% of a gelling agent;

[0368] - 5 to 60 wt% of an aerosol generating agent; and

[0369] - 10 wt % to 60 wt % of tobacco extract;

[0370] Among them, these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.

[0371] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises:

[0372] - 1 wt% to 60 wt% of a gelling agent;

[0373] - 20 wt% to 60 wt% of an aerosol generating agent; and

[0374] - 10 wt % to 60 wt % of tobacco extract;

[0375] Among them, these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.

[0376] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises: 20 wt% to 35 wt% of a gelling agent; 10 wt% to 25 wt% of an aerosol-forming agent material; 5 wt% to 25 wt% of a filler (including fibers); and 35 wt% to 50 wt% of a flavoring and / or active substance. In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may consist essentially of or consist of the following items: a gelling agent, an aerosol-generating agent, a tobacco extract, water, and optionally a flavoring agent. In some cases, the aerosol-generating material may consist essentially of or consist of the following items: glycerol, alginate and / or pectin, a tobacco extract, and water.

[0377] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material can have the following composition (DWB): a gelling agent (preferably comprising alginate) in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 40 wt %, or about 10 wt % to 30 wt %, or about 15 wt % to about 25 wt %; a tobacco extract in an amount of about 30 wt % to about 60 wt %, or about 40 wt % to 55 wt %, or about 45 wt % to about 50 wt %; an aerosol generating agent (preferably comprising glycerol) in an amount of about 10 wt % to about 50 wt %, or about 20 wt % to about 40 wt %, or about 25 wt % to about 35 wt % (DWB).

[0378] In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating material comprises about 20 wt% alginate gelling agent, about 48 wt% Virginia tobacco extract, and about 32 wt% glycerol (DWB).

[0379] The "thickness" of an aerosol generating material describes the shortest distance between a first surface and a second surface. In embodiments where the aerosol generating material is in the form of a sheet, the thickness of the aerosol generating material is the shortest distance between a first planar surface of the sheet and a second planar surface of the sheet opposite the first planar surface of the sheet.

[0380] In some cases, the layer of aerosol-generating material that forms the aerosol has a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1.5 mm, suitably about 0.05 mm to about 1.5 mm, or 0.05 mm to about 1.0 mm. Suitably, the thickness may be in the range of from about 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 1.0 mm, 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.

[0381] In some cases, the aerosol generating material may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1.0 mm. Suitably, the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.

[0382] Materials having a thickness of 0.1 mm are particularly suitable.The aerosol-generating material may comprise more than one layer, and the thickness described herein refers to the combined thickness of those layers.

[0383] It has been found that if the aerosol generating material is too thick, the heating efficiency is affected. This can have an adverse effect on power consumption in use. Conversely, if the aerosol generating material is too thin, it is difficult to manufacture and handle; very thin materials are more difficult to cast and may be brittle, which can affect aerosol formation in use.

[0384] The thickness specified herein is the average thickness of the material. In some cases, the thickness of the aerosol-generating material may vary by no more than 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, or 1%.

[0385] In some examples, the aerosol-generating material in sheet form and not in sheet form can have a tensile strength of about 200 N / m to about 900 N / m. In some examples, such as where the aerosol-generating material does not contain a filler, the aerosol-generating material can have a tensile strength of 200 N / m to 400 N / m, or 200 N / m to 300 N / m, or about 250 N / m.

[0386] Such tensile strength may be particularly suitable for embodiments in which the aerosol-generating material is formed into a sheet and then shredded and incorporated into an aerosol-generating article. In some examples, such as where the aerosol-generating material comprises a filler, the aerosol-generating material may have a tensile strength of 600 N / m to 900 N / m, or 700 N / m to 900 N / m, or about 800 N / m.

[0387] In some examples, the aerosol-generating material in sheet form may have a tensile strength of about 200 N / m to about 2600 N / m. In some examples, the aerosol-generating material may have a tensile strength of 600 N / m to 2000 N / m, or 700 N / m to 1500 N / m, or about 1000 N / m. Such tensile strengths may be particularly suitable for embodiments in which the aerosol-generating material comprising the aerosol-generating material is formed as a sheet and incorporated into an aerosol-generating consumable.

[0388] The aerosol-generating material comprising the aerosol-generating material may have any suitable area density, such as 30 g / m 2 Up to 350g / m 2 In some cases, the sheet may have an area density of 50 g / m 2 Up to 250g / m 2 , or about 70g / m 2 Up to 210g / m 2 , or about 90g / m 2Up to 190g / m 2 , or suitably about 100 g / m 2 The sheet may have a mass per unit area of ​​about 30 g / m2 (so that the sheet has a density similar to that of shredded tobacco and the mixture of these substances does not readily separate). 2 Up to 70g / m 2 , 40g / m 2 Up to 60g / m 2 , or 25g / m 2 Up to 60g / m 2 The mass per unit area can be used to wrap aerosolizable materials such as tobacco.

[0389] Unless otherwise expressly stated, all weight percentages (expressed as wt%) described herein are calculated on a dry weight basis. All weight ratios are also calculated on a dry weight basis. Weights quoted on a dry weight basis refer to all extracts or slurries or materials excluding water, and may include components that are themselves liquid at room temperature and pressure, such as glycerol. In contrast, weight percentages quoted on a wet weight basis refer to all components, including water.

[0390] As used herein, the term "sheet" refers to an element whose width and length are much greater than its thickness. The major surface of a sheet is the surface that extends in both the width dimension and the length dimension when the sheet is flat. For example, the sheet can be a strip.

[0391] The aerosol-generating material may comprise a colorant. The addition of a colorant may change the visual appearance of the aerosol-generating material. The presence of a colorant in the aerosol-generating material may enhance the visual appearance of the aerosol-generating material and the visual appearance of the material from which the aerosol is generated. By adding a colorant to the aerosol-generating material, the color of the aerosol-generating material may be matched to the color of other components of the aerosol-generating material, or to the color of other components of an article comprising the aerosol-generating material.

[0392] Depending on the desired color of the aerosol generating material, a variety of colorants can be used. The color of the aerosol generating material can be, for example, white, green, red, purple, blue, brown or black. Other colors can also be envisioned. Natural colorants or synthetic colorants can be used, such as natural dyes or synthetic dyes, food grade colorants and pharmaceutical grade colorants. In some embodiments, the colorant is caramel, which can give the aerosol generating material a brown appearance. In this embodiment, the color of the aerosol generating material can be similar to the color of other components (such as tobacco material). In some embodiments, adding a colorant to the aerosol generating material makes the aerosol generating material visually indistinguishable from the other components in the aerosol generating material.

[0393] The colorant may be added during formation of the aerosol-generating material (e.g., when forming a slurry containing the material that forms the aerosol-generating material), or the colorant may be applied to the aerosol-generating material after the aerosol-generating material is formed (e.g., by spraying the colorant onto the aerosol-generating material).

[0394] In some embodiments of any of the foregoing embodiments, talc, calcium carbonate powder or other powder is applied to the exposed surface of at least one discrete portion of the aerosol generating material. This may reduce the level of stickiness or adhesion of the aerosol generating material.

[0395] In the following discussion of the drawings, if the same element appears in more than one embodiment, the element is represented by the same reference numeral throughout the specification, and if similar elements exist, similar reference numerals (the same numeral plus multiples of 100) are used.

[0396] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 An aerosol supply device 100 for generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user includes an aerosol generator 102 , a controller 104 , a power source 106 , and an aerosol supply element 108 , all of which are at least partially housed within a housing 110 .

[0397] The aerosol generator 102 includes a chamber 112 defined by sidewall 114, sidewall 118 (located on the side of the housing opposite to sidewall 114), sidewall 116, portions of sidewall 122 (located on the side of the housing opposite to sidewall 116), end wall 120, a portion of an inner wall 124 extending between sidewalls 114, 118, 116, 122, and a stop wall 140 extending between inner wall 124 and sidewall 122. A surface 126 of sidewall 118 facing chamber 112 incorporates or supports an array of aerosol generating regions 128 and suitable electrical connections (not shown) to power source 106 and controller 104.

[0398] A slot 136 is formed between the end wall 120 and the side wall 118. The slot allows the atmosphere surrounding the device 100 to communicate with the interior of the chamber 112. The slot 136 is also configured to allow appropriately configured consumables ( Figure 1 or Figure 2 The consumable (not shown) can be partially inserted into and removed from the chamber 112 by a user of the device 100. The slot 136, surface 126, and aerosol generation area array 128 are positioned and configured so that when the consumable is properly oriented and the consumable inserted into the chamber 112 is inserted until the consumable abuts the inner wall 124 and the stop wall 140, a portion of the consumable covers and contacts the surface of the aerosol generation area array 128.

[0399] The aerosol supply element 108 includes an aerosol outlet 130 leading into the chamber 112, a mouthpiece 134, and a channel 132 allowing fluid communication between the aerosol outlet 130 and the mouthpiece 134. The aerosol outlet 130 is defined by the intersection of the face of the inner wall 124 facing the chamber 112 and the channel 132. The intersection is circular, and the geometric center AO of the aerosol outlet is the center of the aerosol outlet 130.

[0400] The mouthpiece 134 is configured to be placed between the lips of a user so that the user can draw the aerosol from the chamber 112 and inhale the aerosol when the device 100 is in use.

[0401] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The aerosol generating area array 128 includes thirteen aerosol generating areas A, B, C, D1, D2, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2, H1, H2. The thirteen aerosol generating areas are arranged symmetrically about a first symmetry line S1 and a second symmetry line S2. The first symmetry line S1 passes through the geometric center of the position AO of the aerosol outlet 130.

[0402] Each of the aerosol generating zones has a geometric centre, and the geometric centre of a particular aerosol generating zone is calculated by treating the aerosol generating zone as two-dimensional and finding the arithmetic mean position of all points of the consumable-facing surface of the aerosol generating zone when the device 100 is in use. This may be performed using known techniques. Figure 4 Representative geometric centers A', B', C', D1', D2', E1', E2', F1', F2', G1', G2', H1', ​​H2' of aerosol generating zones A, B, C, D1, D2, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2, H1, H2 are shown respectively.

[0403] Each of the geometric centers A', B', C', D1', D2', E1', E2', F1', F2', G1', G2', H1', ​​H2' is a distance CD from position AO. For clarity, Figure 4 Only two representative distances CD (ie, the distance of the aerosol generating region E1 and the distance of F2) are shown.

[0404] The device 100 includes eight aerosol generating groups, which can be referred to as AGG(1), AGG(2), ... AGG(8). The controller is programmed to activate aerosol generating zones in aerosol generating groups 1 to 8 upon receiving a signal. Each of aerosol generating zones A, B, C, D1, D2, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2, H1, H2 is a member of an aerosol generating group in aerosol generating groups 1 to 8, and the allocation of aerosol generating zones in the aerosol generating groups is shown in the following table:

[0405]

[0406] The average value of the distances CD of the aerosol generating areas included in one aerosol generating group is called the group distance GCD. Figure 3 and Figure 4 For the aerosol generating region array 128 shown in FIG. , the GCD of each aerosol generating group is calculated as follows:

[0407]

[0408]

[0409] The average of the group distances GCD (1 to 8) of all aerosol generating groups is the distance MGCD:

[0410]

[0411] The difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 15.0% of the distance MGCD.

[0412] In other embodiments, the difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0%, or less than 2.5% of the distance MGCD.

[0413] Each aerosol generating zone A, B, C, D1 , D2, El , E2, F1 , F2, G1 , G2, H1 , H2 has a surface area CA, which can be measured using known techniques.

[0414] The sum of the surface areas CA of all aerosol generating regions included in one aerosol generating group is the area TCA. The TCA of each aerosol generating group is shown in the following table:

[0415]

[0416]

[0417] The average of the area TCAs for all aerosol generating groups is the MTCA:

[0418]

[0419] The difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 15.0% of the area MTCA.

[0420] In other embodiments, the difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0%, or less than 2.5% of the area MTCA.

[0421] The average of the surface areas CA of all aerosol generating zones included in one aerosol generating group is the area MCA,

[0422]

[0423] The difference between each area CA and the area MCA is less than 15.0% of the area MCA.

[0424] In other embodiments, the difference between each area CA and area MCA is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0%, or less than 2.5% of area MCA.

[0425] The controller 106 comprises a central processing unit (not shown) and a memory (not shown) supplied with power by the power source 106. The controller is configured to activate the aerosol generating groups in a specific order. The instructions for activating the aerosol generating groups in a specific order are either pre-stored in the memory, or input into the controller by a user or through other data input devices and then stored in the memory.

[0426] In the case where the instructions are input by the user, the instructions may be directly input via one or more interface devices (not shown), such as one or more buttons or other user-operable interfaces. Alternatively, the user may input the instructions indirectly, such as into a mobile phone, tablet computer or similar communication or computing device (not shown), which then transmits the instructions to the controller 104 / memory, such as via Bluetooth or a similar communication system.

[0427] Alternatively, the user can use a mobile phone, tablet computer or similar communication or computing device to obtain a set of instructions from the Internet or other data sources for use by the controller. Once these instructions are obtained, they are transmitted to the controller 104 / memory. In some embodiments, the instructions can be input into a mobile phone, tablet computer or similar communication or computing device via a code (e.g., a bar code or a quick identification (QR) code) that is carried on a consumable for use with the aerosol supply device 100 or on a package for such consumable, or associated with the consumable or package.

[0428] Alternatively, the apparatus 100 may include a suitable input device (not shown) adapted to read machine-readable data located on the consumable product.

[0429] When the controller receives a signal indicating that the aerosol generating group should be activated, the controller 104 executes instructions related to activation of the aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group. This signal is activated by the user pressing the button 138 ( Figure 1 In other embodiments not shown, other signal generating devices (e.g., a puff detector) may be used to send a signal to the controller 104, and when the puff detector detects a puff, the puff detector sends a signal to the controller indicating that the next aerosol generating group should be activated.

[0430] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory cause the controller 104 to activate the aerosol generating groups in the order of AGG (1), AGG (2), AGG (3), AGG (4), AGG (5), AGG (6), AGG (7), AGG (8). In other embodiments, the aerosol generating groups may be activated in other orders.

[0431] The instructions for the controller 104 stored in the memory (not shown) may also include instructions on how to activate the aerosol generating zones in each aerosol generating group. The instructions may relate to one or more of the following: (i) the order in which the aerosol generating zones are activated, (ii) the length of time the aerosol generating zones are activated, and / or (iii) the heating curve to be followed when activating one or more aerosol generating zones.

[0432] The instructions stored in the memory may be different for each aerosol generating group, or at least one aerosol generating group may be different from at least one other aerosol generating group. For example, the instructions for heating the aerosol generating zones in each aerosol generating group in aerosol generating groups AGG(1), AGG(2) and AGG(3), each of which includes only one aerosol generating zone, may be different from the instructions for aerosol generating groups AGG(4), AGG(5), AGG(6), AGG(7) and AGG(8), each of which includes two aerosol generating zones.

[0433] In the above example, the instructions for each aerosol generating group in the aerosol generating groups AGG(1), AGG(2) and AGG(3) may be to heat the aerosol generating zone according to a heating curve in which the aerosol generating zone is heated for a first time period by allowing a first power to flow through the aerosol generating zone, and then the aerosol generating zone is heated for a second time period by allowing a lower second power to flow through the aerosol generating zone, and then the power supply to the aerosol generating zone is turned off.

[0434] In the above example, the instructions for each aerosol generating group in aerosol generating groups AGG(4), AGG(5), AGG(6), AGG(7) and AGG(8) may be: (i) at time X (wherein time X is the time when the controller 104 detects the activation signal from the button 136), heating the aerosol generating zone closest to position AO (or aerosol generating zone H1 in the case of AGG(8)) according to a second heating curve, in which the aerosol generating zone is heated for a third time period by allowing a first power to flow through the aerosol generating zone, and then the aerosol generating zone is heated for a fourth time period by allowing a lower second power to flow through the aerosol generating zone, and then the power supply to the aerosol generating zone is turned off; and (ii) in a fifth time period after time X, heating the aerosol generating zone farthest from position AO (or aerosol generating zone H2 in the case of AGG(8)) according to the second heating curve.

[0435] It will be appreciated that the controller 104 may be provided with instructions that allow for a wider range of heating times and / or heating profiles.

[0436] In some embodiments, the predetermined activation order of the aerosol generating zones in an aerosol generating group is that all aerosol generating zones in the aerosol generating group are activated substantially simultaneously. For example, for AGG (7), the aerosol generating zones are activated simultaneously / power is supplied to aerosol generating zones G1 and G2 simultaneously.

[0437] In some embodiments, in an aerosol generating group including more than one aerosol generating zone, the activation order of the aerosol generating zones is: the aerosol generating zones are activated starting from the aerosol generating zone with the largest distance CD, and the aerosol generating zones are activated in descending order of distance CD. For example, for AGG (4), power is supplied to aerosol generating zone D2 at time Y, and then power is supplied to aerosol generating zone D1 at time Y plus a time period. The time period between the activation of aerosol generating zone D2 and the activation of aerosol generating zone D1 depends on both the distance CD of aerosol generating zone D1 and the surface area CA of aerosol generating zone D1.

[0438] In some embodiments, in an aerosol generating group including more than one aerosol generating zone, the activation order of the aerosol generating zones is: the aerosol generating zones are activated starting from the aerosol generating zone with the smallest distance CD, and the aerosol generating zones are activated in order of increasing distance CD. For example, for AGG (5), power is supplied to aerosol generating zone E1 at time Y, and then power is supplied to aerosol generating zone E2 at time Y plus a predetermined time period. Aerosol generating zones E1 and E2 may each remain activated for the same predetermined time length, or may be activated for different time lengths.

[0439] The controller 104 may process instructions to activate aerosol generating zones in the aerosol generating groups so that the aerosol generating zones are heated to a predetermined temperature or a predetermined temperature range. For example, in aerosol generating group AGG (6), aerosol generating zone F1 may be heated to temperature T1 and aerosol generating zone F2 may be heated to temperature T2. Such instructions are advantageous if the composition of the aerosol generating material to be heated of aerosol generating zone F1 is different from the composition of the aerosol generating material to be heated of aerosol generating zone F2.

[0440] In an alternative example, the predetermined temperature T to which the aerosol generating zone is heated is the same for each aerosol generating zone. For example, when aerosol generating zones A, B, C, D1, D2, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2, H1, H2 are heated, each of these aerosol generating zones is heated to the same temperature T.

[0441] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6, these figures show a second embodiment of an aerosol generation zone array 228, which includes twenty-three aerosol generation zones A, B, C, D1, D2, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2, H1, H2, J1, J2, K1, K2, L1, L2, M1, M2, N1, N2. The twenty-three aerosol generation zones are arranged symmetrically about a first symmetry line S1 and a second symmetry line S2. The first symmetry line S1 passes through the geometric center at the position AO of the aerosol outlet.

[0442] Each of the aerosol generating zones has a geometric centre, and the geometric centre of a particular aerosol generating zone is calculated by treating the aerosol generating zone as two-dimensional and finding the arithmetic mean position of all points of the consumable-facing surface of the aerosol generating zone when the device 100 is in use. This may be performed using known techniques. Figure 6 The approximate geometric centers A', B', C', D1', D2', E1', E2', F1', F2', G1', G2', H1', ​​H2', J1', J2', K1', K2', L1', L2', M1', M2', N1', N2 of the aerosol generating zones A, B, C, D1, D2, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1', G2', H1', ​​H2', J1', J2', K1', K2', L1', L2', M1', M2', N1', N2' are shown respectively.

[0443] Each of the geometric centers A', B', C', D1', D2', E1', E2', F1', F2', G1', G2', H1', ​​H2', J1', J2', K1', K2', L1', L2', M1', M2', N1', N2' is a distance CD from position AO. For clarity, Figure 6 Only two representative distances CD (ie, the distances of the aerosol generating areas A / B / C and the distance of the aerosol generating area D1) are shown.

[0444] The device 100 includes thirteen aerosol generating groups (AGG(1) to AGG(13)), and the controller is programmed to activate the aerosol generating zones in aerosol generating groups 1 to 13 upon receiving an appropriate signal. Each of the aerosol generating zones A, B, C, D1, D2, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2, H1, H2, J1, J2, K1, K2, L1, L2, M1, M2, N1, N2 is a member of one aerosol generating group in aerosol generating groups 1 to 13, and the aerosol generating zones are allocated to the aerosol generating groups as shown in the following table:

[0445]

[0446]

[0447] The characteristics of array 228 and the calculation methods related to these characteristics are the same as those described above and in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The array 128 shown in FIG. 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except that the number of aerosol generating regions and aerosol generating groups is different.

[0448] refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , these figures show a third embodiment of an aerosol generation zone array 328, which includes twenty aerosol generation zones A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2, H1, H2, J1, J2, K1, K2, L1, L2. The twenty aerosol generation zones are arranged symmetrically about a first symmetry line S1 and a second symmetry line S2. The first symmetry line S1 passes through the geometric center AO of the aerosol outlet.

[0449] Each of the aerosol generating zones has a geometric centre, and the geometric centre of a particular aerosol generating zone is calculated by treating the aerosol generating zone as two-dimensional and finding the arithmetic mean position of all points of the consumable-facing surface of the aerosol generating zone when the device 100 is in use. This may be performed using known techniques. Figure 8 The approximate geometric centers A', B', C1', C2', D1', D2', E1', E2', F1', F2', G1', G2', H1', ​​H2', J1', J2', K1', K2', L1', L2' of the aerosol generating zones A, B, C, C2, D1, D2, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2', H1', ​​H2', J1', J2', K1', K2', L1', L2' are shown respectively.

[0450] Each of the geometric centers A', B', C1', C2', D1', D2', E1', E2', F1', F2', G1', G2', H1', ​​H2', J1', J2', K1', K2', L1', L2' is a distance CD from position AO. For clarity, Figure 8 Only two representative distances CD (ie, the distance of the aerosol generating zone E1 and the distance of J1) are shown in FIG.

[0451] The device 100 includes eleven aerosol generating groups (AGG(1) to AGG(11)), and the controller is programmed to activate the aerosol generating zones in aerosol generating groups 1 to 11 upon receiving an appropriate signal. Each of the aerosol generating zones A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2, H1, H2, J1, J2, K1, K2, L1, L2 is a member of one aerosol generating group in aerosol generating groups 1 to 11, and the aerosol generating zones are allocated to the aerosol generating groups as shown in the following table:

[0452]

[0453] The characteristics of array 328 and the calculation methods related to these characteristics are the same as those described above and in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The array 128 shown in FIG. 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except that the number of aerosol generating regions and aerosol generating groups is different.

[0454] refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The consumable 150 comprises a support portion 152 and thirteen discrete portions AA, BB, CC, DD1, DD2, EE1, EE2, FF1, FF2, GG1, GG2, HH1, HH2 containing aerosol generating material. In the illustrated embodiment, the aerosol generating material is in the form of an aerosol generating material film.

[0455] The support portion 152 is a flat sheet material configured to have a main body portion 152a and a tab portion 152b. The main body portion 152a is generally rectangular and has longitudinally extending side edges 154, 156 and an end edge 158 located at a first end of the support portion 152. The side edge 154 is connected to the end edge 158 by a stop edge 160. The side edge 156 intersects the end edge 158 at an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

[0456] The tab portion 152b is located at the end of the main body portion 152a away from the end edge 158. The tab portion 152b has an end edge 162, and first and second tabs 164, 166, which extend transversely from the ends of the longitudinal edges 154, 156 away from the end edge 158, respectively. The first and second tabs 164, 166 are located between the ends of the longitudinal edges 154, 156 away from the end edge 158 and the end edge 162.

[0457] The convex portion 152b is configured as the first convex and the second convex 164, 166 so that the convex portion 152b is larger and cannot be inserted into the aerosol supply device to be used with the consumables. Similarly, the length of the longitudinal edges 154, 156 of the support portion 152 is longer so that the longitudinal edges cannot be inserted into the aerosol supply device to be used with the consumables except in the longitudinal direction. This ensures that the consumables 150 can only be inserted into the aerosol supply device to be used with the consumables when the end edge 158 is first inserted into the aerosol supply device to be used with the consumables. This configuration also allows the user to grab the convex portion 152b when it is necessary to remove the consumables from the aerosol supply device used with the consumables 150.

[0458] The main body portion 152a is sized and configured to be inserted into and removed from a chamber in an aerosol supply device when the edge 158 is inserted first. Figure 3 and Figure 4 1 and as described above. The body portion 152a can only be fully inserted into the chamber 112 when in one orientation because the stop wall 140 of the chamber can only fit with the stop edge 160 of the consumable 150 in one orientation. This ensures that when the body portion 152a is fully inserted into the chamber 112, the discrete portions AA, BB, CC, DD1, DD2, EE1, EE2, FF1, FF2, GG1, GG2, HH1, HH2 containing the aerosol generating material are correctly oriented and positioned relative to the chamber 112. When the consumable 150 is in this position, the consumable 150 can be described as being in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the position AO.

[0459] Discrete portions AA, BB, CC, DD1, DD2, EE1, EE2, FF1, FF2, GG1, GG2, HH1, HH2 of aerosol generating material are supported on the support portion 152 in an array symmetrical about first and second lines of symmetry SS1, SS2. The first line of symmetry SS1 also passes through the aerosol outlet position AO in the aerosol supply device when the main body portion 152a of the consumable 150 is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the position AO.

[0460] Each of the discrete portions has a geometric centre, and the geometric centre of a particular discrete portion is calculated by treating the aerosol generating zone as two-dimensional and finding the arithmetic mean position of all points of the consumable-facing surface of the aerosol generating zone when the device 100 is in use. This can be performed using known techniques. Fig.10The approximate geometric centers AA', BB', CC', DD1', DD2', EE1', EE2', FF1', FF2', GG1', GG2', HH1', HH2 of the aerosol generating areas AA, BB, CC, DD1, DD2, EE1, EE2, FF1, FF2, GG1', GG2', HH1', HH2 are shown respectively.

[0461] When consumable 150 is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to position AO, each of geometric centers AA', BB', CC', DD1', DD2', EE1', EE2', FF1', FF2', GG1', GG2', HH1', HH2' is a distance PD from position AO. For clarity, Fig.10 Only two representative distances PD (ie, the distance of the aerosol generating region EE1 and the distance of GG1) are shown in FIG.

[0462] Each of the discrete portions on the support 152 is considered to be part of one of the eight portion groups (PG(1) to PG(8)) included in the consumable 150. One or more discrete portions of the portion group are intended to be heated so as to release an aerosol when an aerosol supply device used with the consumable is activated.

[0463] Each of the discrete parts AA, BB, CC, DD1, DD2, EE1, EE2, FF1, FF2, GG1, GG2, HH1, HH2 is a member of one of the part groups 1 to 8, and the discrete parts are allocated among the part groups as shown in the following table:

[0464] Part group number Discrete parts within a part group 1 AA 2 BB 3 CC 4 DD1, DD2 5 EE1, EE2 6 FF1, FF2 7 GG1, GG2 8 HH1, HH2

[0465] The average value of the distances PD of the discrete parts included in a part group is called the group distance GPD. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The GPD of each aerosol generating group is calculated as follows for the discrete portions of consumable 150 shown in FIG.

[0466]

[0467]

[0468] The average of the group distances GPD (1 to 8) of all aerosol generating groups is the distance MGPD:

[0469]

[0470] The difference between each group distance GPD and the distance MGPD is less than 15.0% of the distance MGPD.

[0471] In other embodiments, the difference between each group distance GPD and the distance MGPD is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0%, or less than 2.5% of the distance MGPD.

[0472] Each discrete portion AA, BB, CC, DD1, DD2, EE1, EE2, FF1, FF2, GG1, GG2, HH1, HH2 has a surface area CA, which can be measured using known techniques.

[0473] The sum of the surface areas PA of all aerosol generating zones included in one aerosol generating group is the area TPA. The TPA of each aerosol generating group is shown in the following table:

[0474]

[0475]

[0476] The average of the area TPA of all aerosol generating groups is MTPA:

[0477]

[0478] The difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 15.0% of area MTPA.

[0479] In other embodiments, the difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0%, or less than 2.5% of area MTPA.

[0480] The average value of the surface areas PA of all aerosol generating zones included in one aerosol generating group is the area MPA,

[0481]

[0482] The difference between each area PA and the area MPA is less than 15.0% of the area MPA.

[0483] In other embodiments, the difference between each area PA and area MPA is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0%, or less than 2.5% of area MPA.

[0484] In the illustrated embodiment, the composition of the aerosol generating material in the discrete portions in at least one portion group is different from the composition of the aerosol generating material in the discrete portions in at least one other portion group. The difference in composition may include different flavorings and / or different active ingredients.

[0485] In other embodiments, the composition of the aerosol generating material in at least one discrete portion of one portion group is different from the composition of the aerosol generating material in at least one other discrete portion of the portion group. The difference in composition may include different flavorings and / or different active ingredients.

[0486] The support portion 152 of the consumable 150 is a flat laminate sheet material. One of the layers of the laminate material is a susceptor in the form of an aluminum foil. In some embodiments, the susceptor is an alternative material suitable for use with induction heating.

[0487] In some embodiments, the susceptor extends through the entire support portion. In other embodiments, the susceptor is only present at locations on the support portion that support discrete portions containing the aerosol generating material.

[0488] In some embodiments not shown, the support portion 152 is a sheet material, and the sheet material is made into a three-dimensional shape. The three-dimensional shape can be a tube with a longitudinal extension, and the cross-section of the tube in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension is circular, approximately circular, square, approximately square, polygonal, or approximately polygonal.

[0489] refer to Fig.11 and Fig.12 , these figures show a consumable 250 comprising twenty-three discrete parts AA, BB, CC, DD1, DD2, EE1, EE2, FF1, FF2, GG1, GG2, HH1, HH2, JJ1, JJ2, KK1, KK2, LL1, LL2, MM1, MM2, NN1, NN2. The twenty-three discrete parts are arranged symmetrically about a first line of symmetry and a second line of symmetry SS1, SS2. When the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the position AO, the first line of symmetry SS1 passes through the geometric center AO of the aerosol outlet.

[0490] The configuration of the support portion 152 of the consumable 250 is the same as described above and in Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The configuration of the supporting portion of the consumables 150 shown in FIG. 1 is the same.

[0491] Each of the discrete portions has a geometric centre, and the geometric centre of a particular discrete portion is calculated by treating the aerosol generating zone as two-dimensional and finding the arithmetic mean position of all points of the consumable-facing surface of the aerosol generating zone when the device 100 is in use. This can be performed using known techniques. Fig.12The approximate geometric centers AA', BB', CC', DD1', DD2', EE1', EE2', FF1', FF2', GG1', GG2', HH1', HH2', JJ1, JJ2, KK1, KK2', LL1', LL2', MM1, MM2, NN1, NN2 of the discrete parts AA', BB', CC', DD1', DD2', EE1', EE2', FF1', FF2', GG1', GG2', HH1', HH2', JJ1', JJ2', KK1', KK2', LL1', LL2', MM1', MM2', NN1', NN2' are shown respectively.

[0492] When the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to position AO, each of the geometric centers AA', BB', CC', DD1', DD2', EE1', EE2', FF1', FF2', GG1', GG2', HH1', HH2', JJ1', JJ2', KK1', KK2', LL1', LL2', MM1', MM2', NN1', NN2' is a distance PD from position AO. For clarity, Fig.12 Only two representative distances PD (ie, the distance of discrete parts AA' / BB / 'CC' and the distance of NN1') are shown.

[0493] Consumables 250 include thirteen part groups 1 to 13 (PG(1) to PG(13)). Each of the discrete parts AA, BB, CC, DD1, DD2, EE1, EE2, FF1, FF2, GG1, GG2, HH1, HH2, JJ1, JJ2, KK1, KK2, LL1, LL2, MM1, MM2, NN1, NN2 is a member of one of the part groups 1 to 13, and the allocation of the discrete parts among the part groups is shown in the following table:

[0494]

[0495]

[0496] The characteristics of consumable 250 and the calculation methods related to these characteristics are the same as those described above and in Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The consumable 250 is the same as the consumable 150 shown in FIG. 1 except that the number of discrete parts and part groups is different. The consumable 250 is suitable for use with Figure 5 and Figure 6 The aerosol generating zone array 228 shown in and described above is used in combination.

[0497] refer to Fig.13 and Fig.14, these figures show a consumable 350 comprising twenty discrete parts AA, BB, CC1, CC2, DD1, DD2, EE1, EE2, FF1, FF2, GG1, GG2, HH1, HH2, JJ1, JJ2, KK1, KK2, LL1, LL2. The twenty discrete parts are arranged symmetrically about a first line of symmetry and a second line of symmetry SS1, SS2. When the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the position AO, the first line of symmetry SS1 passes through the geometric center AO of the aerosol outlet.

[0498] The configuration of the support portion 152 of the consumable 350 is the same as described above and in Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The configuration of the supporting portion of the consumables 150 shown in FIG. 1 is the same.

[0499] Each of the discrete portions has a geometric centre, and the geometric centre of a particular discrete portion is calculated by treating the aerosol generating zone as two-dimensional and finding the arithmetic mean position of all points of the consumable-facing surface of the aerosol generating zone when the device 100 is in use. This can be performed using known techniques. Fig.14 The representative geometric centers AA', BB', CC1', CC2', DD1', DD2', EE1', EE2', FF1', FF2', GG1', GG2', HH1', HH2', JJ1, JJ2, KK1, KK2, LL1, LL2 of the discrete parts AA', BB', CC1, CC2', DD1', DD2', EE1', EE2', FF1', FF2', GG1', GG2', HH1', HH2', JJ1', JJ2', KK1', KK2', LL1', LL2' are shown respectively.

[0500] When the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to position AO, each of the geometric centers AA', BB', CC1', CC2', DD1', DD2', EE1', EE2', FF1', FF2', GG1', GG2', HH1', HH2', JJ1', JJ2', KK1', KK2', LL1', LL2' is a distance PD from position AO. For clarity, Fig.14 Only two representative distances PD (ie, the distance of the discrete portion EE1 ′ and the distance of EE2 ′) are shown in FIG.

[0501] Consumables 350 include eleven part groups 1 to 11 (PG(1) to PG(11)). Each of the discrete parts AA, BB, CC1, CC2, DD1, DD2, EE1, EE2, FF1, FF2, GG1, GG2, HH1, HH2, JJ1, JJ2, KK1, KK2, LL1, LL2 is a member of one of the part groups 1 to 11, and the discrete parts are allocated to the part groups as shown in the following table:

[0502] Part group number Discrete parts within a part group 1 AA 2 BB 3 CC1, CC2 4 DD1, DD2 5 EE1, EE2 6 FF1, FF2 7 GG1, GG2 8 HH1, HH2 9 JJ1, JJ2 10 KK1, KK2 11 LL1, LL2

[0503] The characteristics of consumable 350 and the calculation methods related to these characteristics are the same as those described above and in Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The consumable 150 shown in FIG. 1 is the same as the consumable 150 shown in FIG. 1 except that the number of discrete parts and part groups is different. The consumable 350 is suitable for use with Figure 7 and Figure 8 The aerosol generating zone array 328 shown in and described above is used in combination.

[0504] The above description is exemplary only, and those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure of the present disclosure. Other modifications falling within the scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure.

[0505] Various aspects of the aerosol supply device and consumables disclosed in various embodiments can be used alone, in combination, or in various arrangements not specifically discussed in the embodiments described above. Therefore, the application of the present disclosure is not limited to the details and arrangements of the components set forth in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment can be combined in any way with aspects described in other embodiments. Although specific embodiments have been shown and described, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made in its broader aspects without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the entire specification.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply device, wherein: The device comprises an aerosol generator, a controller and an aerosol outlet location AO, wherein the aerosol generator comprises two or more aerosol generating zones, wherein: Each aerosol generating region has a geometric center, and the geometric center of the aerosol generating region is spaced apart from the position AO by a distance CD, Each aerosol generating region is a member of one aerosol generating group of a plurality of aerosol generating groups, Each aerosol generating group comprises at least one aerosol generating region, The average value of the distances CD of all aerosol generating areas included in an aerosol generating group is the group distance GCD, The average of the group distances GCD of all aerosol generating groups is the distance MGCD, The difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 15.0% of the distance MGCD, and The controller is configured to activate aerosol generating zones in one or more aerosol generating groups upon receipt of a signal.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: Each aerosol generating region has a surface area CA, the sum of the surface areas CA of all aerosol generating regions included in one aerosol generating group is the area TCA, The average of the area TCAs of all aerosol generating groups is the MTCA, and the difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 15.0% of the area MTCA.

3. An aerosol supply device, wherein: The device comprises an aerosol generator, a controller and an aerosol outlet location AO, wherein the aerosol generator comprises two or more aerosol generating zones, wherein: Each aerosol generating region has a surface area CA, Each aerosol generating region is a member of one aerosol generating group of a plurality of aerosol generating groups, Each aerosol generating group comprises at least one aerosol generating region, The sum of the surface areas CA of all aerosol generating zones included in one aerosol generating group is the area TCA, The average of the area TCAs of all aerosol generating groups is the MTCA, and the difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 15.0% of the area MTCA, and the controller is configured to activate the aerosol generating zones in one or more aerosol generating groups upon receiving the signal.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The difference between each group distance GCD and the distance MGCD is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0%, or less than 2.5% of the distance MGCD.

5. The device according to claim 2, 3 or 4 as appended to claim 2, wherein: The difference between each area TCA and the area MTCA is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0%, or less than 2.5% of the area MTCA.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: Each aerosol generating region has a surface area CA, The average of the surface areas CA of all aerosol generating regions included in one aerosol generating group is the area MCA, and The difference between each area CA and the area MCA is less than 15.0% of the area MCA.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein: The difference between each area CA and area MCA is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0%, or less than 2.5% of area MCA.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The device further comprises an aerosol outlet, and the aerosol outlet position AO is the geometrical centre of the aerosol outlet.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: When the consumable comprises an aerosol outlet and is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the device when the device and consumable are in use or ready for use, the aerosol outlet position AO is co-located with the geometric centre of the aerosol outlet of the consumable.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The non-zero number of aerosol generating regions included in at least one aerosol generating group is different from the non-zero number of aerosol generating regions included in at least one other aerosol generating group.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: At least one aerosol generating group comprises one aerosol generating region, and at least one aerosol generating group comprises at least two aerosol generating regions.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein One, two or three aerosol generating groups comprise one aerosol generating region and at least one aerosol generating group comprises at least two aerosol generating regions.

13. The device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: Each aerosol generating group that does not include an aerosol generating region includes two aerosol generating regions.

14. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: There are at least three aerosol generating groups.

15. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The controller is configured to activate a plurality of the aerosol generating groups in a specific order.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein: The controller activates a plurality of the aerosol generating groups in an order stored in a memory accessed by the controller.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein: The controller activates a plurality of the aerosol generating groups in an order input into the controller by a user via a user interface.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein: The controller activates a plurality of the aerosol generating groups in an order input into the controller via a machine-readable feature located on a consumable.

19. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein: The controller is configured to activate a plurality of aerosol generating zones in an aerosol generating group in a predetermined sequence.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein The predetermined activation order of a plurality of aerosol generating zones in one aerosol generating group is to activate all aerosol generating zones in the aerosol generating group substantially simultaneously.

21. The device according to claim 19, wherein In an aerosol generating group comprising more than one aerosol generating zone, the predetermined activation order of the aerosol generating zones is to activate the aerosol generating zones starting from the aerosol generating zone with the largest distance CD and to activate the aerosol generating zones in order of decreasing distance CD.

22. The device according to claim 19, wherein In an aerosol generating group comprising more than one aerosol generating zone, the predetermined activation order of the aerosol generating zones is: activating the aerosol generating zones starting from the aerosol generating zone with the smallest distance CD, and activating the aerosol generating zones in order of increasing distance CD.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, 21 or 22, wherein: In an aerosol generating group comprising more than one aerosol generating zone, the time period between activation of an aerosol generating zone to be activated first and activation of a second or subsequent aerosol generating zone depends at least in part on one or more of: a distance CD of the second or subsequent aerosol generating zone; and The surface area CA of the secondary or subsequent aerosol generating zone.

24. The device according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein: Each aerosol generating zone in an aerosol generating group remains activated for a predetermined length of time.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein: Each aerosol generating zone in an aerosol generating group remains activated for the same predetermined length of time.

26. The device according to claim 24, wherein: The predetermined length of time that an aerosol generating zone remains activated depends at least in part on one or more of: the distance CD of the aerosol generating zone; the surface area CA of the aerosol generating zone; and when the aerosol generating zone is activated relative to any other aerosol generating zone in the same aerosol generating group.

27. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein: The controller is configured to activate an aerosol generating zone in one aerosol generating group and to activate heating of the aerosol generating zone to one or more predetermined temperatures.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein The predetermined temperature of each aerosol generating zone is the same.

29. The device according to claim 27, wherein: In an aerosol generating group comprising more than one aerosol generating zone, the predetermined temperature of at least one aerosol generating zone is different from the predetermined temperature of at least one other aerosol generating zone.

30. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein: The controller is configured to activate an aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group, and the activation causes heating of the aerosol generating zone following a predetermined temperature profile.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein The predetermined temperature profile is the same for each aerosol generating zone.

32. The device according to claim 30, wherein: In an aerosol generating group comprising more than one aerosol generating zone, the predetermined temperature profile of at least one aerosol generating zone is different from the predetermined temperature profile of at least one other aerosol generating zone.

33. The device according to any one of claims 26 to 32, wherein: The controller is configured to activate the aerosol generating zone of at least one aerosol generating group to be heated to a predetermined temperature or according to a predetermined temperature profile that is different from the predetermined temperature or predetermined temperature profile of at least one other aerosol generating group.

34. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein: The device further comprises an aerosol generating chamber for receiving the consumable product, the chamber being at least partially defined by one or more chamber walls, and at least one aerosol generating region being located on or within the chamber wall.

35. The device according to claim 34, wherein The chamber and consumable are configured such that the consumable can be placed in the chamber only when the consumable has a predetermined orientation relative to the chamber.

36. The device according to claim 34, wherein The chamber and the consumable are configured such that the consumable is positionable in the chamber when the consumable is in one of a plurality of predetermined orientations relative to the chamber.

37. The device according to claim 36, wherein The apparatus is provided with means for reorienting the consumable within the chamber.

38. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 37, wherein: The aerosol generator has a symmetry line, and the symmetry line passes through the aerosol outlet.

39. The device according to claim 38, wherein The aerosol generator also has a second line of symmetry.

40. The device according to claim 38 or 39, wherein: The first symmetry line is perpendicular to the second symmetry line.

41. The device according to any one of claims 38 to 40, wherein: The position of the aerosol generating zone within the device is symmetrical about one or both lines of symmetry.

42. The device according to any one of claims 38 to 41, wherein: The aerosol generating regions within an aerosol generating group are symmetrical with respect to one or two lines of symmetry.

43. The device according to any one of claims 38 to 42, wherein: The position AO is located on the first symmetry line or the second symmetry line.

44. A consumable product suitable for use with an aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 43, wherein: The aerosol supply device comprises a position AO, wherein the consumable comprises a plurality of discrete portions containing an aerosol generating material, Each discrete portion has a geometric center and when the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the location AO, the geometric center of the discrete portion is spaced a distance PD from the location AO, Each discrete part is a member of one of the multiple part groups. The average of the distances PD of all discrete parts included in a part group is the group distance GPD, The average of the group distances GPD of all partial groups is the distance MGPD, and The difference between each group distance GPD and the distance MGPD is less than 15.0% of the distance MGPD.

45. The consumable product according to claim 44, wherein: Each discrete part has a surface area PA, the sum of the surface areas PA of all discrete parts included in a part group is the area TPA, The average of the areas TPA of all the partial groups is MTPA, and The difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 15.0% of area MTPA.

46. ​​A consumable product suitable for use with an aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 43, wherein: The device comprises an aerosol outlet location AO, wherein The consumable comprises a plurality of discrete portions of aerosol generating material, Each aerosol generating material portion has a surface area PA, each aerosol generating material portion is a member of a portion group of a plurality of portion groups, each portion group comprising at least one aerosol generating material portion, The sum of the surface areas PA of all aerosol generating material portions included in a portion group is the area TPA, The average of the areas TPA of all the partial groups is MTPA, and The difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 15.0% of area MTPA.

47. The consumable product according to claim 44 or 45, wherein: The difference between each group distance GPD and the distance MGPD is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0%, or less than 2.5% of the distance MGPD.

48. A consumable product according to claim 45, 46 or 47 as appended to claim 45, wherein: The difference between each area TPA and area MTPA is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0%, or less than 2.5% of area MTPA.

49. A consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 48, wherein: Each discrete portion has a surface area PA, The average of the surface areas PA of all discrete parts included in a group of parts is the area MPA, and The difference between each area PA and the area MPA is less than 15.0% of the area MPA.

50. The consumable product according to claim 49, wherein: The difference between each area PA and the area MPA is less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0% or less than 2.5% of the area MPA.

51. The consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 50, wherein: The consumable also includes an aerosol outlet having a geometric center, and the geometric center of the aerosol outlet is at the same position as the position AO.

52. The consumable product according to claim 51, wherein: The consumable also includes a mouthpiece, and the aerosol outlet is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece.

53. A consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 52, wherein: At least one portion group includes a non-zero number of discrete portions of a number that is different from a non-zero number of discrete portions included in at least one other portion group.

54. A consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 53, wherein: At least one portion group includes one discrete portion, and at least one portion group includes at least two discrete portions.

55. The consumable product according to claim 54, wherein: One, two or three portion groups include one discrete portion and at least one portion group includes at least two discrete portions.

56. The consumable product according to claim 54 or 55, wherein: Each portion group that does not include one discrete portion includes two discrete portions.

57. A consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 56, wherein: The composition of the aerosol-generating material in the discrete portions in at least one of the portion groups is different from the composition of the aerosol-generating material in the discrete portions in at least one other of the portion groups.

58. A consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 57, wherein: The discrete portions are formed by a film of aerosol generating material.

59. The consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 58, wherein: The consumable includes at least one supporting portion, and each supporting portion supports at least one discrete portion.

60. The consumable product according to claim 59, wherein: The consumable product includes a support portion, and the support portion supports all discrete parts.

61. The consumable product according to claim 60, wherein: The support portion supports all discrete parts on one surface of the support portion.

62. The consumable product according to claim 59, wherein: The consumable includes two or more support portions, and at least one support portion supports all of the supported discrete parts on one surface of the support portion.

63. A consumable product according to any one of claims 59 to 62, wherein: The or at least one support portion is a substantially flat sheet of material.

64. A consumable product according to any one of claims 59 to 63, wherein: The or at least one support is a sheet material and the sheet material is formed into a three-dimensional shape.

65. The consumable product according to claim 64, wherein: The sheet material is formed into a tube.

66. A consumable product according to any one of claims 59 to 65, wherein: The support portion or at least one support portion is rod-shaped.

67. The consumable product according to claim 65 or 66, wherein: The tube or rod has a longitudinal extension, and a cross section of the tube or rod in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension is circular, approximately circular, square, approximately square, polygonal or approximately polygonal.

68. A consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 67, wherein: The support portion includes a susceptor.

69. The consumable product according to claim 68, wherein: The susceptor is a metal or a metal alloy.

70. The consumable product according to claim 68 or 69, wherein: The susceptor is a foil or a membrane.

71. The consumable product according to any one of claims 60 to 70, wherein: The support portion is a laminate material.

72. A consumable product according to claim 71 as appended to any one of claims 68 to 70, wherein At least one layer of the laminate is a susceptor.

73. A consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 72, wherein: The consumable also includes a cover, and at least one discrete portion is covered by the cover.

74. A consumable product according to claim 73 as appended to any one of claims 59 to 72, wherein: The support portion or at least one support portion supports at least a portion of the cover, at least one volume portion is defined between the support portion or at least one support portion and the cover, and at least one of the volume portions is configured so that when at least one discrete portion is caused to generate an aerosol, the discrete portion releases the aerosol into the volume portion.

75. The consumable product of claim 74, wherein: At least two volumes are defined between the support portion or at least one support portion and the cover, and each volume is configured such that when at least one discrete portion is caused to generate an aerosol, the discrete portion releases an aerosol into the volume.

76. A consumable product according to claim 74 or 75, wherein: At least one of the volumes is configured such that when all discrete portions in a portion group generate aerosol, the discrete portions in the portion group release aerosol into the volume.

77. The consumable product of claim 74, wherein: A non-zero number of volume portions is defined between the support portion or at least one support portion and the cover, the number of the non-zero number of volume portions being equal to the number of discrete parts, and each volume portion is associated with one of the plurality of discrete parts, and when each discrete part is caused to generate aerosol, the discrete part releases the aerosol into the volume portion associated with the discrete part.

78. A consumable product according to any one of claims 74 to 77, wherein There are at least two volumes and at least two of these volumes are in fluid communication via one or more channels, and one or more of said channels are defined between the support portion or at least one of the support portions and the cover.

79. A consumable according to claim 51 or any one of claims 52 to 78 dependent therefrom, wherein: The consumable has a line of symmetry, and when the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the position AO, the line of symmetry passes through the aerosol outlet.

80. The consumable product of claim 79, wherein: The aerosol generator also has a second line of symmetry.

81. The consumable product according to claim 79 or 80, wherein: The first symmetry line is perpendicular to the second symmetry line.

82. The consumable product according to any one of claims 79 to 81, wherein The positions of the plurality of discrete portions relative to each other are symmetrical about one or two lines of symmetry.

83. The consumable product according to any one of claims 79 to 82, wherein: The position AO is located on the first symmetry line or the second symmetry line.

84. An aerosol supply device for use with a consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 83, wherein The device includes an aerosol generator configured to heat at least a portion of an aerosol-generating material supported on the support.

85. An aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device and a consumable according to any one of claims 44 to 83.

86. An aerosol supply system comprising a consumable and an aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 43.

87. An aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 43 and a consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 83.

88. An aerosol supply system according to claim 87, wherein: Each aerosol generating zone is adjacent a discrete portion when the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the location AO.

89. An aerosol supply system according to claim 88, wherein: Each aerosol generating zone has a surface area CA, and each discrete portion has a surface area PA, and the surface area CA and the surface area PA are equal, or the difference between the minimum surface area and the maximum surface area is less than 15.0%, less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 10%, less than 7.5% or less than 5% of the minimum surface area.

90. An aerosol supply system according to claim 88 or 89, wherein: Each aerosol generating region completely covers the adjacent discrete portions, or each aerosol generating region is completely covered by the adjacent discrete portions.

91. An aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 85 to 90, wherein: When the consumable is in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the location AO, the geometric centre of each aerosol generating zone is adjacent to the geometric centre of the discrete portion.

92. A method of generating an aerosol from a consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 83 using an aerosol supply device having at least one aerosol generator arranged to heat discrete portions in use; wherein At least one of the aerosol generators is a resistive heater element or a magnetic field generator and susceptor.

93. A method of generating an aerosol from a consumable product according to any one of claims 44 to 83 using an aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 43.

94. A method of operating an aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 43, wherein: The controller activates the aerosol generating zones in one or more aerosol generating groups after receiving the signal.

95. A method of operating an aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 43, wherein: The controller activates the plurality of aerosol generating groups according to a predetermined sequence, and each aerosol generating group is active upon receiving a signal to activate the next aerosol generating group in sequence.

96. The method of claim 94 or 95, wherein: The or each signal is generated by a user of the aerosol supply device.

97. The method of any one of claims 94 to 96, wherein: The or each signal is generated by the puff detection means when the puff detection means detects that a user is taking a puff from the aerosol supply means.

98. A method of providing a non-zero amount of split aerosols, wherein: The method comprises: providing an aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 43; providing at least one consumable according to any one of claims 44 to 83; enabling the device to activate an aerosol generating zone in an aerosol generating group a non-zero number of times, wherein the non-zero number of times is two or more times; and for each activation of the aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group, at least one characteristic of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group each time the aerosol generating zone is activated is the same.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein: The characteristic is the same when the difference between the characteristic value of the activation of the aerosol generating zone in the aerosol generating group and the average value of the characteristic within a non-zero number of activations is less than 15.0%, less than 12.5%, less than 10.0%, less than 7.5%, less than 5.0% or less than 2.5% of the average value of the characteristic within a non-zero number of activations.

100. The method of claim 98 or 99, wherein: The characteristic is one of: volume of the aerosol, temperature of the aerosol, usable duration of the aerosol, density of aerosol droplets, and a ratio of one or more components of the aerosol.

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