Aerosol-generating article with isolated aversive component

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol-generating article (10), in particular for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article (10) comprising: an aerosol-generating substrate (12); a downstream section (14) extending from a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate (12) to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article (10), where the downstream section (14) defines an airflow path through which an aerosol is flowable from the aerosol-generating substrate (12) to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article (10); at least one wrapper (30) defining at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate (12) and the downstream section (14); and an aversion member (50) comprising a line matrix or strip matrix and an aversion agent absorbed in the line matrix or strip matrix. The aerosol-generating article is configured such that the aversive component (50) is isolated from the airflow path such that the aversive agent is substantially prevented from entering the airflow path.

Description

Technical Field

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

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

[0003] Many prior art documents disclose aerosol generating devices for consuming aerosol generating articles. Such devices include, for example, electrically heated aerosol generating devices, wherein an aerosol is generated by transferring heat from one or more electrical heater elements of the aerosol generating device to an aerosol generating substrate of the heated aerosol generating article. For example, electrically heated aerosol generating devices comprising internal heater blades adapted to be inserted into the aerosol generating substrate have been proposed. As an alternative, an inductively heatable aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate and a susceptor arranged within the aerosol generating substrate has been proposed by WO 2015 / 176898.

[0004] It is generally recognized that there is a need to deter and prevent dangerous behaviors, such as accidental ingestion of objects, including aerosol-generating articles and their components, particularly by children. For aerosol-generating articles that include hard parts, as may be the case for receptor elements embedded in an aerosol-generating matrix, the risks associated with such behaviors may be increased.

[0005] It is known to use compounds with an unpleasant taste (e.g., bitter) as aversive agents. For example, denatonium benzoate has been proposed as a deterrent to the accidental ingestion of toxic substances such as liquid detergents by children. For use in this context, denatonium benzoate has been selected as one of the candidate compounds because it is currently used as a denaturant in alcohol and in products to deter thumb sucking and nail biting.

[0006] It has also been proposed to use the unpleasant bitter flavor associated with certain aversive agents to encourage consumers to quit smoking. For example, WO 2019 / 056029 A1 discloses a smoking cessation accessory that can be fitted to the circumferential surface of a cigarette and contacted with the lips of a consumer during use of the cigarette. The accessory contains a bitter substance that can be absorbed by the lips or oral mucosa of the consumer, or both. This can result in a change in taste during normal use of the cigarette.

[0007] The smoking cessation accessories disclosed in WO 2019 / 056029 A1 are intended to make the intended use of cigarettes very unpleasant for consumers. In contrast, in the context of the present disclosure, it is considered necessary to curb and prevent the improper use of aerosol-generating articles (e.g., ingestion or chewing of aerosol-generating articles), while aiming to ensure that the normal intended use of aerosol-generating articles is substantially unaffected.

[0008] In fact, the technical solution disclosed in WO 2019 / 056029 A1 effectively relies on direct contact between the attachment and the consumer's lips to intentionally deliver bitter substances to the consumer and trigger an unpleasant sensory response during normal use of the cigarette. In a diametrically opposite manner, in the present context, it is desired that the contact between the aerosol-generating article and the consumer's lips and oral mucosa during normal use of the aerosol-generating article is not accompanied by any type of strong, unpleasant taste reaction, which some compounds used as aversive agents may cause even at high dilutions.

[0009] Another challenge is the fact that the consumer's fingers may become contaminated with the aversive agent when handling the aerosol-generating article, which is also undesirable as it may subsequently lead to an unpleasant sensory experience. Therefore, in the present context, it is considered necessary to ensure that contact between the consumer's fingers and the aerosol-generating article during normal handling and use of the aerosol-generating article does not result in the transfer of the aversive agent to the consumer's fingers.

[0010] Furthermore, it must be remembered that aversive agents may have an undesirable effect on the quality of the aerosol delivered to the consumer, particularly if, upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate, even trace amounts of the aversive agent may volatilize into the aerosol and thereby be delivered to the consumer. Summary of the invention

[0011] It would therefore be desirable to provide a new and improved aerosol-generating article suitable for curbing the ingestion of an aerosol-generating article or a component of an aerosol-generating article whilst substantially limiting or preventing at least one of the undesirable effects mentioned above.

[0012] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article, in particular for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating.

[0013] An aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate.

[0014] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a downstream section extending from the downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

[0015] The aerosol-generating article may comprise an airflow path through which aerosol may flow from the aerosol-generating substrate to the downstream section of the aerosol-generating article, if such a downstream section is present.

[0016] For example, where present, the downstream segment may define one such airflow path.

[0017] The aerosol-generating article may comprise at least one wrapper defining at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section. Thus, the at least one wrapper may at least partially define the aerosol-generating substrate or the downstream section or both.

[0018] The aerosol-generating article may further comprise an aversive agent. For example, the aversive agent may be disposed in an aversive component, such as an aversive component comprising a thread matrix or a strip matrix and the aversive agent absorbed in the thread matrix or the strip matrix.

[0019] The aversive component may be disposed at a location within the aerosol-generating article such that direct contact between the aversive agent and the lips or oral mucosa of a consumer is substantially prevented during normal intended use of the aerosol-generating article.

[0020] The aversive component may be disposed at a position within the aerosol-generating article such that direct contact between the aversive agent and a consumer's fingers is substantially prevented during normal intended use of the aerosol-generating article. The aversive component may be disposed at a position within the aerosol-generating article such that the aversive agent is not directly exposed to the airflow path such that the aversive agent is substantially prevented from directly entering the airflow path.

[0021] In particular, the aerosol-generating article may be configured such that the aversive component is not directly exposed to the airflow path, such that aversive agents are substantially prevented from entering the airflow path (if there is a downstream segment defining such an airflow path). For example, one or more of the at least one wrapper and the downstream segment may be configured such that the aversive component is not directly exposed to the airflow path, such that aversive agents are substantially prevented from entering the airflow path.

[0022] According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating article, in particular for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating article further comprises a downstream section extending from the downstream end of the aerosol generating substrate to the downstream end of the aerosol generating article, wherein the downstream section defines an airflow path through which the aerosol can flow from the aerosol generating substrate to the downstream end of the aerosol generating article. In addition, the aerosol generating article comprises at least one packaging defining at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol generating substrate and the downstream section.

[0023] Compared to existing aerosol-generating articles, in the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention, an aversive component is disposed in the aerosol-generating article, the aversive component comprising a thread matrix or a strip matrix and an aversive agent absorbed in the thread matrix or the strip matrix. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating article is disposed at a position within the aerosol-generating article such that the aversive component is not directly exposed to the airflow path, so that the aversive agent is substantially prevented from directly entering the airflow path.

[0024] As will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention, preventing direct contact between the aversive component and the lips and oral mucosa of a consumer during normal intended use of the aerosol-generating article can be achieved in different ways. Regardless of how the separation of the aversive component from the lips and oral mucosa of the consumer is achieved, the use of aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention can advantageously substantially prevent the consumer from having an unpleasant sensory experience during normal intended use of the aerosol-generating article. Likewise, it is also desirable to avoid the transfer of the aversive agent to the fingers of the consumer during normal handling of the aerosol-generating article.

[0025] Because the aversive agent is not on the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article, migration of the aversive agent to other aerosol-generating articles, such as other aerosol-generating articles provided in the same package during transport or storage, can also be advantageously avoided. In addition, as will be discussed in more detail below, certain preferred embodiments may make it possible to exclude direct exposure of the aversive agent to the aerosol stream being generated, and in certain embodiments, it is possible to prevent even trace amounts of the aversive agent from being released into the aerosol. This is because the aversive agent is not directly exposed to the mainstream airflow path, and because the aversive agent is not disposed within the aerosol-generating article at a location to which heat should be supplied during normal use.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, the expression "not directly exposed to the airflow path" means that there is at least one layer of additional material separating the aversive agent located at its intended location from the airflow path. For example, the aversive agent may be embedded in a component of the aerosol-generating article that is remote from any surface of the component that may be directly contacted by the aerosol during use. Alternatively, the aversive component containing the aversive agent may be sandwiched between elements of the aerosol-generating article such that no portion of the outer surface of the aversive component may be directly contacted by the aerosol during use.

[0027] As will be described in more detail below, in some embodiments, the configuration of at least one wrapper defining at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section may be adapted to substantially separate the offensive component from the airflow path. In other embodiments, prevention of direct exposure of the offensive component to the airflow path may be achieved by a certain configuration of the downstream section. Thus, in aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention, the likelihood of the offensive agent inadvertently coming into contact with the lips or oral mucosa of a consumer during normal use of the aerosol-generating article is also relatively small.

[0028] According to the present invention, arranging the aversive component at a position within the aerosol-generating article such that the aversive component is not directly exposed to the airflow path has the desired effect of substantially preventing the release of the aversive agent directly into the aerosol at said position. However, migration of the aversive agent from the intended position of the aversive component to other parts or components of the aerosol-generating article may not be completely prevented, and therefore trace amounts of the aversive agent may be detected at other positions within the aerosol-generating article. Nevertheless, the inventors have found that using an aerosol-generating article according to the present invention, no aversive agent is detected in the aerosol delivered to the consumer at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is assumed that if trace amounts of the aversive agent migrate from the intended position, for example as far as into the aerosol-generating matrix, the heat supplied to the article during use raises its temperature above the decomposition temperature of the aversive agent. Therefore, in practice only trace amounts of thermal decomposition products may be delivered to the consumer.

[0029] As briefly described above, the present invention provides an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating.

[0030] The term "aerosol-generating article" is used herein to refer to an article in which an aerosol-generating substrate is heated to generate and deliver an inhalable aerosol to a consumer. As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating substrate" refers to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating to generate an aerosol.

[0031] A conventional cigarette will ignite when a user applies a flame to one end of the cigarette and draws air through the other end. The localized heat provided by the flame and the oxygen in the air drawn through the cigarette causes the end of the cigarette to ignite, and the resulting combustion generates inhalable smoke. In contrast, in a heated aerosol-generating article, an aerosol is generated by heating a flavor-generating substrate (e.g., tobacco) without burning the flavor-generating substrate. Known heated aerosol-generating articles include, for example, electrically heated aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol is generated by heat transfer from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-forming material.

[0032] The aerosol generating article according to the present invention is particularly applicable in an aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device having a heating chamber, the aerosol generating article being received in the heating chamber so that heat can be supplied to the aerosol generating substrate. This can be achieved by providing one or more heating elements arranged around the periphery of the heating chamber, the one or more heating elements being resistively heated or inductively heated. Alternatively, this can also be achieved by a resistively heated blade-shaped component of the aerosol generating device, which blade-shaped component is inserted into the aerosol generating substrate when the aerosol generating article is inserted into the heating chamber.

[0033] According to yet another alternative, a susceptor element may be provided within the aerosol generating substrate, and the aerosol generating device may have an inductor for generating an alternating or fluctuating electromagnetic field. When the aerosol generating article is engaged with the aerosol generating device, the fluctuating electromagnetic field generated by the inductor induces a current in the susceptor element, thereby causing the susceptor element to heat up. An electrically operated aerosol generating device may be capable of generating a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a magnetic field strength (H field strength) between 1 and 5 kiloamperes per meter (kA / m), preferably between 2 and 3 kA / m, for example about 2.5 kA / m.

[0034] The aerosol-generating article may be in the form of a rod.As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term "rod" is intended to denote a generally cylindrical element of substantially circular, oval or elliptical cross-section.

[0035] As used herein, the term "longitudinal" refers to a direction corresponding to the main longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article, which direction extends between the upstream end and the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" describe the relative position of an element or part of an element of an aerosol-generating article relative to the direction in which an aerosol is transported through the aerosol-generating article during use.

[0036] During use, air is drawn through the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Unless otherwise stated, any reference to a "section" of an aerosol-generating article or component of an aerosol-generating article refers to a cross-section.

[0037] The term "length" refers to the dimension of a component of an aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. For example, it may be used to refer to the dimension of an aerosol-generating substrate or an upstream section in the longitudinal direction.

[0038] The term "aerosol former" is used herein to describe a compound that, when volatilized, can aid in the aerosol delivery of other vaporized compounds released upon heating of an aerosol-generating substrate, such as nicotine and flavorings. Suitable aerosol formers for inclusion in an aerosol-generating substrate are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyols, such as triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, and glycerol; esters of polyols, such as glycerol mono-, di-, or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-, or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

[0039] The term "aversive" is used herein to describe a compound that can be added to a product to deter or limit its intake. The chemical nature of the aversive determines the type of product to which the aversive can be added. For example, chemical stability and solubility may affect the compatibility of an aversive with a given type of product. Examples of aversives include pungencies (also called irritants) and bitters.

[0040] The term "pungent agent" is used herein to describe a group of compounds that produce a strong pungent taste and burning sensation when applied topically to mucous membranes and skin surfaces. Common pungent agents include, but are not limited to, capsaicin (red pepper), piperine (black pepper), allyl isothiocyanate (mustard oil), and resinferatoxin.

[0041] The term "bitter" is used herein to describe a group of chemically dissimilar compounds that have the common property of imparting a bitter taste to a substance. Compounds considered bitters include, but are not limited to, denatonium benzoate, gulombine, gentioside, quasin, scutellarin, quinine hydrochloride.

[0042] The "bitterness value" of a given substance, such as a bittering agent, can be determined according to the European Pharmacopoeia ( European Pharmacopoeia .Volume 1: General part of monograph groups, 5th edition, basic work. Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-7692-3638-6, 2.8.15 Bitterwert, p. 278). In more detail, the "bitterness value" can be determined as the reciprocal of the dilution of a compound, liquid or extract that still tastes bitter. The bitterness value of a given substance is effectively determined by comparing the threshold bitterness concentration of an extract of the substance with the threshold bitterness concentration of a diluted solution of quinine hydrochloride.

[0043] The bitterness value of quinine hydrochloride is set at 200,000. This means that 1 gram of quinine hydrochloride will make 200,000 grams of water taste bitter.

[0044] To evaluate the bitterness value of a given test compound, a stock solution of quinine hydrochloride and dilute solutions of quinine hydrochloride with increasing concentrations were prepared as reference solutions. At the same time, a stock solution of a given compound and dilute solutions of the test compound with increasing concentrations were also prepared.

[0045] To correct for individual differences in bitter taste among members of the test panel, a correction factor may be determined based on each panelist's response to tasting a quinine hydrochloride reference solution.

[0046] Before each tasting, the panelists rinsed their mouths with drinking water. The highest dilution that still tasted bitter was determined by taking 10 ml of the most diluted solution in the mouth and passing it from side to side on the back of the tongue for 30 seconds. If the solution was not found to be bitter, the panelists spat it out and waited one minute before rinsing their mouths with drinking water again. After 10 minutes, the next dilution was tasted in order of increasing concentration.

[0047] For each panelist, the highest dilution of the test compound that continued to elicit a bitter taste sensation after 30 seconds was considered his individual threshold bitterness concentration. The bitterness value of the test compound was calculated by averaging the individual threshold bitterness concentrations of all panelists.

[0048] As briefly described above, the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention comprises an aerosol-generating substrate and a downstream section extending from the downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The downstream section defines an airflow path through which the aerosol can flow from the aerosol-generating substrate to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. In addition, the aerosol-generating article comprises at least one packaging defining at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section.

[0049] An aversive component is provided in such an aerosol-generating article. The aversive component comprises a thread matrix or a strip matrix and an aversive agent absorbed in the thread matrix or the strip matrix. As will be described in more detail below, the aerosol-generating article is configured such that the aversive component is isolated from the airflow path defined by the downstream section such that the aversive agent is substantially prevented from entering the airflow path.

[0050] Aversive agents may include pungent or bitter agents or both.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the aversive agent is a bitter agent.

[0052] In particular, the aversive agent may have a bitterness value of at least 500,000. Preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 1,000,000. More preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 2,500,000. Even more preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 5,000,000.

[0053] In particularly preferred embodiments, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 10,000,000. More preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 25,000,000. Even more preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 50,000,000.

[0054] Denatonium benzoate is generally considered the most bitter compound known, with a bitterness value estimated at over 100,000,000.

[0055] The following table lists some known bitterants and their respective bitterness values.

[0056] Table 1

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the aversive agent is selected from the group consisting of denatonium benzoate, gulombine, gentioside, quassin, sphingomyelin, quinine hydrochloride, and combinations thereof. For example, denatonium benzoate is commercially available under the trade name Bitrex®.

[0058] In an aerosol-generating article according to the invention, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of at least 1 part per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 2 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article. More preferably, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 5 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the aversive agent is provided at a concentration of at least 10 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aversive agent is provided at a concentration of at least 25 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article. More preferably, the aversive agent is provided at a concentration of at least 50 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article.

[0060] In an aerosol-generating article according to the invention, the aversive agent may be provided at a concentration of less than or equal to 250 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aversive agent may be provided at a concentration of less than or equal to 200 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article. More preferably, the aversive agent may be provided at a concentration of less than or equal to 150 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article.

[0061] In some embodiments, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of 2 to 250 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, preferably 5 to 250 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, more preferably 10 to 250 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, even more preferably 25 to 250 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, and most preferably 50 to 250 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article.

[0062] In other embodiments, the aversive agent can be provided in a concentration of 2 to 200 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, preferably 5 to 200 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, more preferably 10 to 200 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, even more preferably 25 to 200 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, and most preferably 50 to 200 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article.

[0063] In other embodiments, the aversive agent can be provided in a concentration of 2 to 100 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, preferably 5 to 100 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, more preferably 10 to 100 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, even more preferably 25 to 100 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article, and most preferably 50 to 100 parts per million relative to the total weight of the aerosol-generating article.

[0064] In an aerosol-generating article according to the invention, the total amount of aversive agents may be at least 0.5 micrograms. Preferably, the total amount of aversive agents is at least 0.75 micrograms. More preferably, the total amount of aversive agents is at least 1.0 micrograms. Even more preferably, the total amount of aversive agents is at least 1.5 micrograms. In particularly preferred embodiments, the total amount of aversive agents is at least 2 micrograms, preferably at least 2.5 micrograms, more preferably at least 2.7 micrograms.

[0065] In the aerosol-generating article according to the present invention, the total amount of aversive agents may be less than or equal to 50 micrograms. Preferably, the total amount of aversive agents is less than or equal to 45 micrograms. More preferably, the total amount of aversive agents is less than or equal to 40 micrograms. Even more preferably, the total amount of aversive agents is less than or equal to 35 micrograms. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the total amount of aversive agents is less than or equal to 30 micrograms, preferably less than or equal to 28 micrograms, more preferably less than or equal to 27 micrograms.

[0066] In some embodiments, the total amount of aversive agents in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 50 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 50 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 50 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 50 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 50 micrograms, or from 2.5 micrograms to 50 micrograms, or from 2.7 micrograms to 50 micrograms.

[0067] In other embodiments, the total amount of aversive agent in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 μg to 45 μg, preferably from 0.75 μg to 45 μg, more preferably from 1.0 μg to 45 μg, even more preferably from 1.5 μg to 45 μg, and particularly preferably from 2.0 μg to 45 μg, or from 2.5 μg to 45 μg, or from 2.7 μg to 45 μg.

[0068] In further embodiments, the total amount of aversive agents in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 μg to 40 μg, preferably from 0.75 μg to 40 μg, more preferably from 1.0 μg to 40 μg, even more preferably from 1.5 μg to 40 μg, and particularly preferably from 2.0 μg to 40 μg, or from 2.5 μg to 40 μg, or from 2.7 μg to 40 μg.

[0069] In yet other embodiments, the total amount of aversive agents in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 μg to 35 μg, preferably from 0.75 μg to 35 μg, more preferably from 1.0 μg to 35 μg, even more preferably from 1.5 μg to 35 μg, and particularly preferably from 2.0 μg to 35 μg, or from 2.5 μg to 35 μg, or from 2.7 μg to 35 μg.

[0070] In another set of embodiments, the total amount of aversive agent in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 μg to 30 μg, preferably from 0.75 μg to 30 μg, more preferably from 1.0 μg to 30 μg, even more preferably from 1.5 μg to 30 μg, and particularly preferably from 2.0 μg to 30 μg, or from 2.5 μg to 30 μg, or from 2.7 μg to 30 μg.

[0071] In yet another set of embodiments, the total amount of aversive agent in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 μg to 27 μg, preferably from 0.75 μg to 27 μg, more preferably from 1.0 μg to 27 μg, even more preferably from 1.5 μg to 27 μg, and particularly preferably from 2.0 μg to 27 μg, or from 2.5 μg to 27 μg, or from 2.7 μg to 27 μg.

[0072] In an aerosol generating article according to the present invention, the aversive agent is provided in the form of a solid aversive component. The aversive component comprises a thread matrix or a strip matrix, and the aversive agent is absorbed in the thread matrix or the strip matrix. As will be described in more detail below, this can advantageously facilitate the manufacture of aerosol generating articles, because the solid aversive component carrying the aversive agent can even be assembled at different locations and included in the aerosol generating article using conventional article manufacturing techniques. Methods and apparatus for including solid matrices (e.g. flavored threads) in aerosol generating articles are known to those skilled in the art, and therefore providing an aversive agent absorbed in a thread matrix or a strip matrix can facilitate the manufacture of aerosol generating articles according to the present invention without requiring major modifications to existing equipment or procedures already in place.

[0073] Additionally, depending on the binding affinity between the thread or strip and the absorbed aversive agent, the thread or strip may be configured to substantially prevent migration of the aversive agent from the thread or strip. This is beneficial because it will reduce the risk that some of the aversive agent may be transferred from one aerosol-generating article to another aerosol-generating article, for example within the same package. Furthermore, it may also help prevent even trace amounts of the aversive agent from being released from the thread or strip during normal use of the aerosol-generating article, which trace amounts of the aversive agent may otherwise have an undesirable effect on the quality of the aerosol delivered to the consumer.

[0074] In some embodiments, the wire matrix has a circular cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the wire matrix has a rectangular or oblong cross-sectional shape.

[0075] The thread substrate preferably comprises cotton yarn.

[0076] In certain embodiments, the thread matrix is ​​substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

[0077] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may be in the form of an aerosol-generating strip. The aerosol-generating strip may include a susceptor element, wherein the susceptor element is thermally coupled to the aerosol-generating substrate. In more detail, this may be achieved by having the susceptor element extend longitudinally within the aerosol-generating strip and embedded within the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0078] For example, the aerosol generating strip may include a sheet of homogenized tobacco material that gathers to form a strip extending along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article. The sensor element may be embedded in the gathered sheet of homogenized tobacco material. As an alternative, the aerosol generating strip may include a shredded filler obtained by cutting tobacco leaf material or reconstructing or homogenizing tobacco material. The sensor element may be embedded in the shredded filler, for example to be surrounded by the shredded filler.

[0079] The aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises one or more aerosol formers. Upon volatilization, the aerosol formers can aerosol-transport other vaporized compounds released from the first aerosol-generating substrate upon heating, such as nicotine and flavoring agents. Suitable aerosol formers for inclusion in the aerosol-generating substrate are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyols such as triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, and glycerol; esters of polyols such as mono-, di-, or tri-acetates of glycerol; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-, or polycarboxylic acids such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

[0080] The aerosol-generating substrate may have an aerosol-former content of between about 5 wt % and about 30 wt % on a dry weight basis.

[0081] Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate has an aerosol-forming agent content of at least about 10 wt% on a dry weight basis, more preferably at least about 15 wt% on a dry weight basis.

[0082] The aerosol-generating substrate preferably has an aerosol-forming agent content of less than or equal to about 25 wt % on a dry basis, more preferably less than or equal to about 20 wt % on a dry basis.

[0083] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate has an aerosol-forming agent content of 5% to 25% by weight on a dry weight basis, preferably 10% to 25% by weight on a dry weight basis, and more preferably 15% to 25% by weight on a dry weight basis. In other embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate has an aerosol-forming agent content of 5% to 20% by weight on a dry weight basis, preferably 10% to 20% by weight on a dry weight basis, and more preferably 15% to 20% by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0084] These relatively high aerosol former levels are particularly suitable for aerosol-generating substrates that are intended to be heated at temperatures below 275 degrees Celsius.

[0085] As will be described in more detail below, the downstream section may include one or more elements.

[0086] In some embodiments, the downstream section may include a support element positioned downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the support element may be arranged immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, and preferably arranged adjacent to the aerosol-generating substrate. The support element may, for example, be in the form of a rod of cellulose acetate. The support element may be in the form of a hollow tubular rod.

[0087] As used herein, the term "hollow tubular element (rod)" is used to refer to a generally elongated element (rod) that defines an inner cavity or airflow passage along its longitudinal axis. In particular, the term "tubular" will be used to refer to an element having a substantially cylindrical cross-section and defining at least one airflow conduit that establishes uninterrupted fluid communication between the upstream end of the tubular element and the downstream end of the tubular element. However, it should be understood that alternative geometries (e.g., alternative cross-sectional shapes) of the tubular element may be possible.

[0088] In the context of the present invention, the hollow tubular element rod provides an unrestricted flow channel. This means that the hollow tubular rod generally has an extremely low or even negligible RTD level. This has the following benefits: due to the RTD difference between the unrestricted flow channel at the core of the hollow tubular rod and the surrounding filter material, any airflow through the filter material of the rod is substantially prevented. By adjusting the inner diameter of the hollow tubular rod, and therefore adjusting the diameter of the unrestricted airflow channel, the RTD of the hollow tubular rod of the support element can be controlled, in particular set to a very low value (if not essentially zero).

[0089] In some embodiments, the support element may be defined by its own rod packaging.

[0090] The downstream section may include an aerosol-cooling element positioned downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-cooling element may be arranged immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. Alternatively, another element may be arranged between the aerosol-generating substrate and the aerosol-cooling element. For example, a support element as described above may be positioned between the aerosol-generating substrate and the aerosol-cooling element. In this case, all three elements may be arranged in an adjacent relationship along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

[0091] In some embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element may be provided in the form of a hollow tubular element.

[0092] In the context of the present invention, an aerosol-cooling element comprising a hollow tubular element provides an unrestricted flow channel. This means that the hollow tubular element of the aerosol-cooling element provides a negligible RTD level.

[0093] A ventilation zone may be arranged at a location along the hollow tubular element of the aerosol-cooling element. This ventilation zone is configured to allow air to enter the hollow tubular element from the external environment when a consumer draws on the aerosol-generating article. In some embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element may be defined by its own stick package. In other embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element and a support element upstream of the aerosol-cooling element may be combined and defined by a single stick package.

[0094] The downstream section may include a mouthpiece element. The mouthpiece element may be positioned at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article, and is therefore downstream not only of the aerosol-generating substrate, but also of any other of the optional elements of the downstream section. The mouthpiece element extends all the way to the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article.

[0095] Preferably, the mouthpiece element comprises at least one mouthpiece filter segment of fibrous filter material. Suitable fibrous filter materials will be known to the skilled person. Particularly preferably, at least one mouthpiece filter segment comprises a cellulose acetate filter segment formed from cellulose acetate tow.

[0096] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the downstream section may include a mouth end cavity at the downstream end downstream of the mouthpiece filter segment as described above. The mouth end cavity may be defined by a hollow tubular element disposed at the downstream end of the mouthpiece. The mouth end cavity may be defined by an outer wrapper of the mouthpiece element, wherein the outer wrapper extends from the mouthpiece element in the downstream direction.

[0097] The mouthpiece element may optionally include a flavoring agent, which may be provided in any suitable form. For example, the mouthpiece element may include one or more capsules, beads or particles of a flavoring agent, or one or more threads or filaments loaded with a flavoring agent.

[0098] Preferably, the mouthend element has a low particle filtration efficiency.

[0099] Preferably, the mouthpiece is formed from sections of fibrous filter material.

[0100] In some embodiments, the mouthend element is defined by its own stick wrap.

[0101] In some embodiments, a ventilation zone may be provided at a location along the mouthpiece element. This ventilation zone is configured to allow air to enter the mouthpiece element from the external environment when a consumer draws on the aerosol-generating article. One such ventilation zone along the mouthpiece element may be provided in addition to or as an alternative to a ventilation zone provided along an aerosol-cooling element as described above, wherein one such aerosol-cooling element forms part of the aerosol-generating article.

[0102] Therefore, as described above, there are several possible product configurations that are suitable for permitting ventilation air to enter the aerosol generating product at a position along the downstream section. This has a variety of beneficial effects. For example, the ventilation air flow permitted to enter the aerosol generating product at a position downstream of the aerosol generating substrate can quickly cool the volatile substances released from the aerosol generating substrate when heated. It has been observed that this has a favorable effect on the nucleation and growth of aerosol particles, so that the aerosol delivery to the consumer can be enhanced. At the same time, the temperature of the aerosol delivered to the consumer can be advantageously reduced to the desired value without the need to include an aerosol cooling element that provides a large specific surface area for heat exchange or a material with significant heat capacity in the downstream section as is generally proposed in the art.

[0103] Aerosol-generating articles may typically have a ventilation level of at least about 10%, preferably at least about 20%.

[0104] Throughout this specification, the term "ventilation level" is used to denote the volume ratio between the airflow entering the aerosol-generating article via the ventilation zone (ventilation airflow) and the sum of the aerosol airflow and the ventilation airflow. The greater the ventilation level, the higher the dilution of the flow ultimately delivered to the consumer.

[0105] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating article has a ventilation level of at least about 30%. More preferably, the aerosol generating article has a ventilation level of at least about 35%. In addition, or as an alternative, the aerosol generating article preferably has a ventilation level of less than about 60%. More preferably, the aerosol generating article has a ventilation level of less than about 50%. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating article has a ventilation level of about 30% to about 60%. More preferably, the aerosol generating article has a ventilation level of about 35% to about 50%. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol generating article has a ventilation level of about 40%.

[0106] Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors have found that the temperature drop caused by admitting cooler outside air into the aerosol-generating article via the vent zone can have a beneficial effect on the nucleation and growth of aerosol particles.

[0107] Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention may optionally include an upstream section positioned upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. Preferably, the upstream section is positioned to be aligned with the aerosol-generating substrate and immediately upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. Even more preferably, the downstream end of the upstream section abuts the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0108] The upstream section may comprise a rod. The rod may be defined by a wrapping paper.

[0109] The rod may be porous or substantially air impermeable. For example, the rod may be made of a filter material that has been compressed to a point where it is substantially air impermeable. Alternatively, the rod may be made of an air impermeable material, such as a silicone polymer material.

[0110] In a preferred embodiment, the upstream section comprises a rod, for example a rod of filter material, which is defined by a wrapping paper.

[0111] The rod of the upstream section may comprise a filter material suitable for use in an aerosol generating article. Preferably, the rod of the upstream section comprises at least one of cellulose acetate fibers, polylactic acid fibers, polyhydroxybutyrate fibers and polyhydroxyalkanoate fibers.

[0112] The rod of the upstream section may have a length of at least 2 mm. Preferably, the rod of the upstream section has a length of at least 3 mm. More preferably, the rod of the upstream section has a length of at least 4 mm. Even more preferably, the rod of the upstream section has a length of at least 5 mm.

[0113] The rod of the upstream section may have a length less than or equal to 15 mm. Preferably, the rod of the upstream section has a length less than or equal to 12 mm. More preferably, the rod of the upstream section has a length less than or equal to 10 mm. Even more preferably, the rod of the upstream section has a length less than or equal to 7 mm.

[0114] In some embodiments, the rod of the upstream section has a length of 2 mm to 12 mm, preferably 3 mm to 12 mm, more preferably 4 mm to 12 mm, even more preferably 5 mm to 12 mm. In other embodiments, the rod of the upstream section has a length of 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 3 mm to 10 mm, more preferably 4 mm to 10 mm, even more preferably 5 mm to 10 mm. In further embodiments, the rod of the upstream section has a length of 2 mm to 7 mm, preferably 3 mm to 7 mm, more preferably 4 mm to 7 mm, even more preferably 5 mm to 7 mm.

[0115] The rod of the upstream section may have an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the upstream section of the aerosol-generating article.In turn, the outer diameter of the upstream section of the aerosol-generating article may be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0116] The rod of the upstream section may have an outer diameter of at least 4 mm. Preferably, the rod of the upstream section has an outer diameter of at least 5 mm. The rod may have an outer diameter less than or equal to 9 mm. Preferably, the rod of the upstream section has an outer diameter less than or equal to 8 mm.

[0117] In some embodiments, the rod of the upstream section has an outer diameter of 4 to 9 mm, preferably 5 to 9 mm. In other embodiments, the rod of the upstream section has an outer diameter of 4 to 8 mm, preferably 5 to 8 mm.

[0118] The resistance to draw (RTD) of the rod in the upstream section will depend on several parameters, including the porosity of the material from which the rod is made and the geometry of the rod (e.g., cross-sectional area, length). As will be discussed in more detail below, in certain embodiments, the rod may be provided in the form of a hollow body and define an internal airflow channel extending through the rod from the upstream end of the rod to the downstream end of the rod. In such embodiments, the RTD of the rod will generally be very low (if not zero) because the airflow through the rod occurs primarily (if not entirely) through the internal airflow channel.

[0119] In contrast, in other embodiments where the rod is a solid (i.e., non-hollow) body, such as a solid rod made of a porous material, the RTD of the rod may generally be higher and may vary more significantly with the length of the rod and the porosity of the material from which the rod is made. This is because gas flow will generally occur across the cross-section of the rod, rather than along a preferential path.

[0120] In certain embodiments, the rod of the upstream section comprises cellulose acetate. Preferably, the rod of the upstream section comprises cellulose acetate that has been curled, fluffed and to which a plasticizer has been applied. In other embodiments, cellulose acetate may be at least partially replaced with other fibers suitable for use in aerosol-generating articles, such as PHA-PBA fibers, PLA fibers, etc.

[0121] In some embodiments, the upstream section further comprises a predefined airflow channel extending from the upstream end of the filter material rod through the rod to the downstream end of the rod. For example, the rod of the upstream section may be a hollow tubular rod. In addition, the upstream section may include a hollow tubular element coupled to the hollow tubular rod, the hollow tubular element defining the airflow channel. In some embodiments, the hollow tubular element may be provided in the form of a cardboard tube.

[0122] In embodiments where the upstream section further comprises a predefined airflow channel extending through the rod, and particularly where the airflow channel is defined by a hollow tubular element as described above, if the rod comprises cellulose acetate, the cellulose acetate may be further compressed around the predefined airflow channel. This is advantageously understood as further increasing the resistance to draw (RTD) associated with the portion of the rod formed by cellulose acetate relative to the predefined airflow channel, thereby providing a preferential path such that the resistance to draw (RTD) of the rod as a whole is negligible or substantially zero.

[0123] The resistance to draw (RTD) of an aerosol generating article or a component thereof, such as a rod of filter material, can be evaluated as a negative pressure that must be applied to the downstream end of the article or component in order to maintain a steady volumetric air flow of 17.5 ml / s through the article or component. The skilled person can find further details on the measurement methods, test conditions, etc. in ISO 6565:2015 (2015). In embodiments including an upstream section, as described above, the ventilation air enters the aerosol generating article at a position along the downstream section with the additional benefit that the overall RTD of the aerosol generating substrate and the downstream section is significantly lower than the RTD of the upstream section. For example, in the case where the ventilation zone is arranged downstream of the upstream section, the overall RTD of the aerosol generating substrate and the downstream section is significantly lower than the RTD of the rod of filter material. Thus, the provision of the upstream section can provide a tool for controlling the overall RTD of the aerosol generating article and limiting the variability of the overall RTD in different aerosol generating articles having the same overall structure.

[0124] In practice, it will be appreciated that the overall RTD of an aerosol-generating article may be susceptible to some variability due to the inherent variability of the RTD of the aerosol-generating substrate. This is because even a strip having a predefined and precisely controlled diameter and length may still exhibit fluctuations in RTD due to variations in the natural material (e.g., tobacco or other plant material) used as the substrate. In this context, the provision of an upstream segment, in particular an upstream segment having a predetermined RTD, may advantageously limit the effect that the variability of the RTD of the aerosol-generating strip may have on the variability of the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article.

[0125] As briefly mentioned above, in an aerosol-generating article according to the invention, at least one wrapper is provided, the wrapper defining at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section.

[0126] In some embodiments, at least one wrapper comprises a radially inner wrapper portion and a radially outer wrapper portion. The radially outer wrapper portion overlaps the radially inner wrapper portion, and the aversive component is disposed between the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion.

[0127] This configuration has the benefit that the aversive component is stably held in place between the radially inner and radially outer wrapper portions. At the same time, this configuration ensures that direct contact between the aversive component and the airflow path is prevented during normal use of the aerosol-generating article. At the same time, since the aversive agent is disposed immediately below the radially outer wrapper portion, if the portion of the aerosol-generating article defined by the wrapper is bitten into, the presence of the aversive agent will be immediately detected and induce the desired reaction.

[0128] In those above embodiments in which at least one ventilation zone is provided to allow air to enter the aerosol-generating article (eg at a location along the downstream section), the ventilation zone may comprise a first row of perforations provided through at least one wrapper.

[0129] Preferably, where one such ventilation zone is provided around the downstream section, the ventilation zone comprises a first row of perforations provided through at least one wrapper and the first row of perforations comprises breaks where the offensive component is provided so that no perforations are provided through the offensive component.

[0130] In certain embodiments, the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion are overlapping portions of a single wrapper. For example, the wrapper may be wrapped around one or more of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream segment such that edge portions of the wrapper overlap and are optionally attached to each other (e.g., by a seam seal). The aversive component may be positioned between overlapping edge portions of the wrapper, and the optional seam seal may provide another barrier to prevent release of the aversive agent from the aerosol-generating article during normal use of the aerosol-generating article.

[0131] In the above embodiments, wherein the offensive component is disposed between a radially inner wrapper portion and a radially outer wrapper portion of the wrapper, the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion may be part of a tipping paper, part of an outer wrapper, part of a combination stick pack, or part of a stick pack surrounding components of the aerosol generating article.

[0132] Alternatively, the radially inner wrapper portion may be part of a first wrapper, while the radially outer wrapper portion is part of a second wrapper, and the offensive component is disposed where the first wrapper and the second wrapper overlap. In more detail, the first wrapper comprising the radially inner wrapper portion may be an outer wrapper, a combination stick pack, or a stick pack surrounding components of the aerosol generating article. The second wrapper comprising the radially outer wrapper portion may be an outer wrapper, a combination stick pack, or a tipping paper.

[0133] It will therefore be apparent that the present invention provides a number of different package configurations that may be effectively implemented in aerosol-generating articles to ensure that an aversive component is isolated from the airflow path and that an aversive agent is substantially prevented from entering the airflow path.

[0134] In certain preferred embodiments, the aversive component is attached to at least one of the radially inner and outer wrapper portions using an adhesive. This is beneficial because it further helps to maintain the aversive component in place within the aerosol-generating article during transport and storage, as well as during normal use. Thus, it can be more easily ensured that the aversive component does not move from its intended position within the aerosol-generating article at any point during its life cycle, and therefore it is not accidentally exposed to the airflow path or the external environment.

[0135] As described above, in some embodiments, the downstream segment may include a tubular segment including a wall and a hollow lumen bounded by the wall and defining an airflow channel extending from an upstream end of the tubular segment to a downstream end of the tubular segment. For example, the downstream segment may include one or more of a support element, an aerosol-cooling element, and a mouthpiece element, and at least one of them may be in the form of or include one such tubular segment. In some of these embodiments, the aversive component is embedded in the filter material (e.g., cellulose acetate material) of the tubular segment. In practice, the aversive component is positioned within the wall of the tubular segment.

[0136] One such arrangement has the benefit that the aversive component is maintained at a distance from the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article and thus advantageously prevents accidental transfer of the aversive agent to the consumer's fingers when the consumer is holding or using the aerosol-generating article. In addition, as will be described in more detail below with reference to certain preferred embodiments, the aversive component can be maintained away from the airflow path so that during use of the aerosol-generating article, the generated aerosol flow cannot come into direct contact with the aversive component and the aversive agent can be prevented from being delivered to the consumer with the aerosol.

[0137] The outer diameter of the tubular section may be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0138] In certain embodiments, the tubular segment of the downstream section includes at least one of cellulose acetate fibers, polylactic acid fibers, polyhydroxybutyrate fibers, and polyhydroxyalkanoate fibers.

[0139] As mentioned above, when describing the upstream section, from a practical standpoint, control of the resistance to suction of a tubular segment may be achieved by adjusting the equivalent diameter of the hollow lumen of such tubular segment.

[0140] The diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular section can be at least 30% of the outer diameter of the tubular section. Preferably, the diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular section can be at least 35% of the outer diameter of the tubular section. More preferably, the diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular section can be at least 40% of the outer diameter of the tubular section. Even more preferably, the diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular section can be at least 45% of the outer diameter of the tubular section. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular section can be at least 50% of the outer diameter of the tubular section, or at least 55% of the outer diameter of the tubular section, or at least 60% of the outer diameter of the tubular section.

[0141] The diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular segment may be less than or equal to 90% of the outer diameter of the tubular segment, preferably less than or equal to 80% of the outer diameter of the tubular segment, more preferably less than or equal to 70% of the outer diameter of the tubular segment.

[0142] Controlling the diameter of the hollow lumen of the tubular segment so that it falls within the above range may be beneficial because it generally ensures that the RTD of the tubular segment is very small (if not zero), but even more importantly, it ensures that the RTD of the hollow lumen is negligible compared to the RTD of the material walls defining the hollow lumen. Establishing such a sharp RTD gradient between the walls defining the hollow lumen and the hollow lumen itself helps maintain effective isolation of the aversive component from the aerosol gas flow path because substantially all of the aerosol flowing from the aerosol generating substrate toward the mouth end of the aerosol generating article will substantially bypass the walls defining the hollow lumen and flow through the hollow lumen.

[0143] It will therefore be apparent that the present invention provides a number of different configurations of aerosol generating articles whereby offensive components are effectively isolated from the airflow path by adjusting certain characteristics and parameters of one or more components of the article in which the offensive components are located. Indeed, it will be apparent to the skilled person that a tubular segment defining an inner cavity having an RTD that is substantially lower than the RTD of the walls of the tubular segment, the walls of which include the offensive components, may be arranged at different locations within the aerosol generating article. For example, one such tubular segment may be arranged as a support element immediately downstream of the aerosol generating substrate, or as part of an aerosol cooling element arranged substantially downstream of the aerosol generating substrate, or even as part of a mouthpiece element.

[0144] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may further comprise an outer paper wrapper comprising an impermeable coating to prevent migration of the aversive agent to the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article. This is beneficial because it provides a further barrier layer between the aversive component and the consumer during regular use or any handling of the aerosol-generating article. At the same time, the use of a paper wrapper prevents the aversive agent from reaching the consumer in the event of inadvertent ingestion of the article, etc.

[0145] As briefly described above, the present disclosure also relates to an aerosol generating system comprising a heating device and an aerosol generating article according to the preceding description.

[0146] Therefore, the present invention also relates to an aerosol generating system comprising such a heating device, such as an electrically heated aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating article.

[0147] Examples of suitable aerosol-generating devices will be known to those skilled in the art.In general, a suitable aerosol-generating device will comprise a cavity for receiving the aerosol-generating article (ie a heating chamber) and one or more heating elements for supplying heat to the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0148] For example, if the aerosol-generating article comprises a susceptor element embedded within an aerosol-generating substrate, the one or more heating elements may comprise one or more susceptor elements adapted to generate a fluctuating electromagnetic field within the cavity.

[0149] Alternatively, the one or more heating elements may comprise one or more resistively heatable elements arranged at a position at or around the periphery of the heating chamber that faces the aerosol-generating substrate when the aerosol-generating article is received within the heating chamber.

[0150] These heating arrangements are such that, during use, heat is selectively supplied to the aerosol-generating substrate, whilst only negligible amounts or substantially no heat is supplied to the upstream section.

[0151] Additionally, a suitable aerosol generating device will typically comprise a power source connected to the one or more sensor elements or resistively heatable elements; and a control element configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the one or more sensor elements or resistively heatable elements.

[0152] Preferably, the aerosol generating device is a portable or handheld aerosol generating device that is comfortable for a user to hold between the fingers of a single hand.

[0153] The aerosol generating device may be substantially cylindrical in shape.

[0154] The aerosol generating device may have a length of between about 70 mm and about 120 mm.

[0155] The power source may be any suitable power source, such as a DC voltage source, such as a battery. In one embodiment, the power source is a lithium ion battery.

[0156] The control element may be a simple switch. Alternatively, the control element may be an electrical circuit and may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers.

[0157] Features described in relation to one or more aspects may equally apply to other aspects of the invention.In particular, features described in relation to an aerosol-generating article may equally apply to an aerosol-generating system.

[0158] The invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment or aspect described herein.

[0159] Example Ex1: An aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol when heated, the aerosol-generating article comprising: an aerosol-generating substrate; a downstream section extending from the downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the downstream section defines an airflow path through which an aerosol can flow from the aerosol-generating substrate to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article; and at least one packaging material that defines at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section.

[0160] Example Ex2: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex1, further comprising an aversive component, the aversive component comprising a thread matrix or a strip matrix and an aversive agent absorbed in the thread matrix or the strip matrix.

[0161] Example Ex3: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex2, wherein the aerosol-generating article is configured such that the aversive component is not directly exposed to the airflow path, such that the aversive agent is substantially prevented from entering the airflow path.

[0162] Example Ex4: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the aversive agent is a bittering agent.

[0163] Example Ex5: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex4, wherein the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 10,000.

[0164] Example Ex6: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex4 or Ex5, wherein the aversive agent comprises at least one of denatonium benzoate (bitrex), gulombine, gentioside, quassin, sphingomyelin and quinine hydrochloride.

[0165] Example Ex7: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the aversive agent is provided at a concentration of at least 2 parts per million.

[0166] Example Ex8: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the aversive component comprises a substrate on which the aversive agent is absorbed.

[0167] Example Ex9: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex8, wherein the substrate is a thread substrate and the aversive agent is absorbed in the thread substrate.

[0168] Example Ex10: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex9, wherein the thread matrix comprises cotton yarn.

[0169] Example Ex11: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex9 or Ex10, wherein the thread substrate has a circular cross-sectional shape.

[0170] Example Ex12: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex8 to Ex11, wherein the thread matrix is ​​substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

[0171] Example Ex13: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one packaging includes a radially inner packaging portion and a radially outer packaging portion, the radially outer packaging portion overlaps with the radially inner packaging portion, and the disgusting component is arranged between the radially inner packaging portion and the radially outer packaging portion.

[0172] Example Ex14: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex13, wherein the article comprises at least one ventilation zone to allow air to enter the aerosol-generating article, the ventilation zone comprising a first row of perforations disposed through the at least one wrapper.

[0173] Example Ex15: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex14, wherein the at least one ventilation zone is arranged around the downstream section and comprises a first row of perforations arranged through the at least one wrapper, the first row of perforations comprising a break where the offensive component is arranged so that no perforations are arranged through the offensive component.

[0174] Example Ex16: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex13 to Ex15, wherein the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion are overlapping portions of a single wrapper.

[0175] Example Ex17: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex13 to Ex16, wherein the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion are part of a tipping paper, part of an outer wrapper, part of a combination stick pack, or part of a stick pack surrounding components of the aerosol-generating article.

[0176] Example Ex18: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex13 to Ex17, wherein the radially inner wrapper portion is part of a first wrapper and the radially outer wrapper portion is part of a second wrapper, and the aversive component is arranged where the first wrapper and the second wrapper overlap.

[0177] Example Ex19: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex18, wherein the first wrapper including the radially inner wrapper portion is an outer wrapper, a combination stick pack or a stick pack surrounding components of the aerosol-generating article.

[0178] Example Ex20: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex18 or Ex19, wherein the second wrapper including the radially outer wrapper portion is an outer wrapper, a combination stick wrap or a tipping paper.

[0179] Example Ex21: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex13 to Ex20, wherein the aversive component is attached to at least one of the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion using an adhesive.

[0180] Example Ex22: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex1 to Ex12, wherein the downstream segment comprises a tubular segment, the tubular segment comprising a wall and a hollow inner cavity, the hollow inner cavity being defined by the wall and defining an airflow channel extending from the upstream end of the tubular segment to the downstream end of the tubular segment, and the disgusting component is embedded in the wall of the tubular segment.

[0181] Example Ex23: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex22, wherein the tubular segment is included in one of the support element, the aerosol-cooling element and the mouthpiece element of the downstream section.

[0182] Example Ex24: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex22 to Ex23, wherein the tubular segment of the downstream section comprises at least one of cellulose acetate fibers, polylactic acid fibers, polyhydroxybutyrate fibers, and polyhydroxyalkanoate fibers.

[0183] Example Ex25: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex22 to Ex24, wherein the diameter of the hollow inner cavity is at least 45% of the total outer diameter of the downstream section.

[0184] Example Ex26: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex17 to Ex25, wherein the tubular segment further comprises a tube defining the airflow channel.

[0185] Example Ex27: An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex26, wherein the tube is a paperboard tube. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0186] Several examples will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0187] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an aerosol generating article according to the present invention;

[0188] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an aerosol-generating article according to the present invention; and

[0189] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0190] Figure 1 An aerosol-generating article 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1 The aerosol-generating article 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a strip 12 of an aerosol-generating substrate and a downstream section 14 at a position downstream of the strip 12 of aerosol-generating substrate.

[0191] Furthermore, the aerosol-generating article 10 comprises an upstream section 16 at a position upstream of the strip 12 of aerosol-generating substrate.

[0192] The ventilation zone 60 is provided at a location downstream of the strip 12 of aerosol-generating substrate.

[0193] In more detail, Figure 1 In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the downstream section 14 comprises a mouthpiece element 18 and a hollow section 20 .

[0194] The mouthend element 18 comprises a rod 24 of low density filter material.

[0195] The hollow section 20 comprises an aerosol-cooling element 22 comprising a hollow tubular element and a ventilation zone 60 comprising a plurality of openings formed through the wall of the hollow tubular element. The hollow tubular element of the aerosol-cooling element 22 is in the form of a cardboard tube. In addition, the hollow section 20 comprises a support element 24 comprising another hollow tubular element in the form of a hollow rod 26 of filter material. The wall of the hollow rod is formed of compressed cellulose acetate fibers and defines a hollow lumen that provides unrestricted flow through the hollow rod.

[0196] The support element 24 is positioned immediately downstream of the strip 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. Figure 1 , the upstream end of the support element 24 abuts the downstream end of the strip of aerosol-generating substrate 12. The aerosol-cooling element 22 is positioned immediately downstream of the support element 24. In practice, the upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element 22 abuts the downstream end of the support element 24. The mouthpiece element 18 is positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-cooling element 22. In more detail, the upstream end of the mouthpiece element 18 abuts the downstream end of the aerosol-cooling element 22.

[0197] The rod 12 comprises an aerosol-generating substrate in the form of a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material. However, other types of tobacco-containing substrates, such as tobacco cut filler, may replace the gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material.

[0198] The upstream section 16 comprises a cylindrical rod 28 of cellulose acetate. The RTD of the rod 28 is about 100 mm H 2 O.

[0199] The wrapper 30 defines both the aerosol-generating substrate 12 and the downstream section 14 as well as the upstream section 16 .

[0200] In addition, the aerosol-generating article 10 includes an aversive component 50. The aversive component 50 includes a thread matrix including cotton yarn and an aversive agent absorbed onto the cotton yarn. The aversive agent is a bittering agent. The bittering agent is present in an amount of 2.7 micrograms to 27 micrograms.

[0201] The aversive component 50 is disposed within the filter material wall of the hollow rod 26 of the support element 24. Advantageously, therefore, the aversive component is kept at a distance from any surface that a consumer's fingers might come into contact with during normal use of the aerosol-generating article. Furthermore, because the support element 24 is separated from the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article by both the aerosol-cooling element 22 and the mouthpiece element 18, it is highly unlikely that the lips or oral mucosa of a consumer might even come into contact with the support element 24 during normal intended use of the aerosol-generating article.

[0202] Due to the difference in RTD between the wall of the stick 26 and the hollow interior defined thereby, airflow is substantially prevented from entering the wall of the stick 26, and thus aerosol material generated when the aerosol-generating substrate 12 is heated during use bypasses the wall of the stick by flowing into the hollow interior defined by the wall of the stick 26 and onto the aerosol-cooling element. Thus, the aversive component 50 is advantageously isolated from the airflow path extending through the downstream section 14.

[0203] Figure 2 Another example of an aerosol-generating article 100 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1The aerosol generating article 10 will be described below only in relation to Figure 1 Various aspects of an aerosol-generating article 10 are described.

[0204] In the aerosol-generating article 100, the susceptor element 70 is embedded within the strip 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. The susceptor element 70 is elongate and extends longitudinally within the strip 12 so as to be thermally coupled to the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0205] The wrapper 30 defines the upstream portion 16 as well as the aerosol generating substrate 12 and the downstream section 14. In more detail, the wrapper 30 comprises a radially inner wrapper portion 30a and a radially outer wrapper portion 30b, the radially outer wrapper portion overlapping the radially inner wrapper portion. The disgusting component 50 is arranged between the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion. Therefore, advantageously, the disgusting component is kept at a distance from any surface that the consumer's fingers may contact during normal use of the aerosol generating article. In practice, the radially outer wrapper portion can act as a barrier between the disgusting component 50 and the outer surface of the aerosol generating article.

[0206] The tipping wrapper 80 attaches the mouthpiece 24 to the downstream section 14 , and thus an upstream portion of the tipping wrapper 80 overlaps a downstream portion of the wrapper 28 .

[0207] Because the support element 24 is separated from the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article by both the radially outer wrapper portion 30b and the tipping paper, it is highly unlikely that the lips or oral mucosa of a consumer could come into contact with the aversive component 50 during normal intended use of the aerosol-generating article.

[0208] The aerosol-generating article 100 includes a ventilation zone 60 to allow air to enter the aerosol-generating article. The ventilation zone includes a row of perforations disposed through both the tipping wrapper 80 and the wrapper 28. The perforations also extend through the hollow tubular element of the aerosol-cooling element 22 so that during use, ventilation air is admitted into the cavity defined by the aerosol-cooling element 22. Figure 2 As shown in the Figures, the row of perforations of the ventilation zone 60 includes a break where the aversive component 50 is disposed, such that no perforations are disposed through the aversive component 50.

[0209] Figure 3 An exemplary aerosol generating device 1 and Figure 1 An aerosol generating system 200 of an aerosol generating article 100.

[0210] The aerosol generating device 200 comprises a housing (or body) 40. The housing 40 comprises a peripheral wall 42 and an end wall 44. The peripheral wall 40 defines a device cavity for receiving an aerosol generating article 100. The device cavity is defined by a closed distal end and an open mouth end. The mouth end of the device cavity is located at the mouth end of the aerosol generating device 10. The aerosol generating article 10 is configured to be received by the mouth end of the device cavity and is configured to be adjacent to the closed end of the device cavity.

[0211] A device airflow inlet 46 is defined in the end wall 44. Air may be admitted into the upstream section 16 of the aerosol-generating article via the device airflow inlet 46. Thus, fluid communication is established between the exterior of the aerosol-generating device 200 and the strip 12 of aerosol-generating substrate.

[0212] The aerosol generating device 200 also includes a heater element in the form of an inductor coil 48, which is suitable for inducing an electric current in the susceptor element 70. The aerosol generating device 200 also includes a power supply (not shown) for supplying power to the heater element. A controller (not shown) is also provided to control such power supply to the heater element. The heater element is configured to controllably heat the aerosol generating substrate within the strip 12 during use when the aerosol generating article 100 is received within the device 200.

[0213] For the purpose of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers representing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc. should be understood to be modified by the term "about" in all cases. Moreover, all ranges include disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein that may be specifically listed or may not be listed herein. Therefore, in this context, the number A is understood to be A±5%A. In this context, the number A may be regarded as including a numerical value within the general standard error for the measurement of the attribute modified by the number A. In some cases used in the appended claims, the number A may deviate from the percentages listed above, provided that the amount of A deviation will not substantially affect the basic features and novel features of the invention claimed for protection. Moreover, all ranges include disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein that may be specifically listed or may not be listed herein.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating article, comprising: Aerosol-generating matrix; a downstream section extending from a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the downstream section defines an airflow path through which aerosol can flow from the aerosol-generating substrate to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article; at least one wrapper defining at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream segment; as well as an aversive component, the aversive component comprising a thread matrix or a strip matrix and an aversive agent absorbed in the thread matrix or the strip matrix; The aerosol-generating article is configured such that the aversive component is not directly exposed to the airflow path such that the aversive agent is substantially prevented from entering the airflow path.

2. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the aversive agent comprises at least one of denatonium benzoate (bitrex), gulombine, gentioside, quassin, sphingomyelin and quinine hydrochloride.

3. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 2 parts per million.

4. An aerosol generating article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one wrapper comprises a radially inner wrapper portion and a radially outer wrapper portion, the radially outer wrapper portion overlapping the radially inner wrapper portion, and wherein the aversive component is arranged between the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion.

5. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 4, further comprising at least one ventilation zone to allow air to enter the aerosol-generating article, the ventilation zone comprising a first row of perforations disposed through the at least one wrapper.

6. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 5, wherein the at least one ventilation zone is arranged around the downstream section and comprises a first row of perforations arranged through the at least one wrapper, the first row of perforations comprising a break where the offensive component is arranged so that no perforations are arranged through the offensive component.

7. An aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion are part of a tipping paper, part of an outer wrapper, part of a combination stick pack or part of a stick pack surrounding components of the aerosol generating article.

8. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the radially inner wrapper portion is part of a first wrapper and the radially outer wrapper portion is part of a second wrapper, the aversive feature being arranged where the first wrapper and the second wrapper overlap.

9. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 8, wherein the first wrapper comprising the radially inner wrapper portion is an outer wrapper, a combination stick pack or a stick pack surrounding components of the aerosol-generating article.

10. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second wrapper including the radially outer wrapper portion is an outer wrapper, a combination stick wrap or a tipping paper.

11. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the aversive component is attached to at least one of the radially inner and outer wrapper portions using an adhesive.

12. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the downstream segment comprises a tubular segment, the tubular segment comprising a wall and a hollow lumen, the hollow lumen being bounded by the wall and defining an airflow channel extending from the upstream end of the tubular segment to the downstream end of the tubular segment, the aversive component being embedded in the wall of the tubular segment.

13. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 12, wherein the diameter of the hollow interior cavity is at least 45% of the total outer diameter of the downstream section.

14. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thread matrix is ​​substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

15. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, further comprising an outer wrapper comprising an impermeable coating to prevent migration of an aversive agent to an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article.

Images