Aerosol-generating article, device, and system

Abstract

An aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device configured to engage with the aerosol-generating article to form an inhalable aerosol. The aerosol-generating article has an article body, an airflow path being defined through the article body between an article airflow inlet and an article airflow outlet. The aerosol-generating device comprises a closable cavity having a minimal cavity length extending, when the cavity is closed, between a cavity airflow inlet and a cavity airflow outlet. The cavity is further defined by a cavity width perpendicular to the minimal cavity length, extending between a left side wall of the cavity and a right side wall of the cavity, and a cavity height perpendicular to both the cavity depth and cavity width, the cavity height extending between a lower wall of the cavity and an upper wall of the cavity. The cavity is accessible via a closable opening having a width and a height. The aerosol-generating article is configured to be inserted into the cavity in the direction of its first article dimension. The cavity width is no more than 30% greater than the second article dimension. The minimal cavity length, when the cavity is closed, is no more than 10% greater than the first article dimension.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE, DEVICE, AND SYSTEM

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to aerosol-generating articles comprising an aerosolforming substrate. The disclosure also relates to aerosol-generating devices for use with such articles and aerosol-generating systems comprising aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating devices.

[0003] A typical aerosol-generating article may appear similar to a conventional cigarette. For example, such an aerosol-generating article may be substantially cylindrical and comprise an aerosol-forming substrate and other components such as a mouthpiece filter element and a cooling element, all arranged together in the form of a rod and wrapped in a cigarette paper. Dimensions of typical aerosol-generating articles are often similar to the dimensions of conventional cigarettes.

[0004] However, a significant portion of the aerosol-forming substrate in these cylindrical aerosol-generating articles may not be sufficiently heated to form an aerosol during use. This is undesirable since the insufficiently heated portion of the aerosol-forming substrate contributes to the cost of manufacture and transport of the aerosol-generating article, but does not contribute to the aerosol delivered to an end user. This may be the case regardless of the way in which the aerosol-forming substrate is heated, for example regardless of whether a resistive or inductive heater is used and regardless of whether the aerosol-forming substrate is heated from the inside or the outside. Moreover, the components of these cylindrical aerosolgenerating articles normally need to have the same or very similar outer diameters so that they can be brought together, accurately positioned in co-axial alignment and wrapped in a cigarette paper. This can lead to increased cost and complexity of manufacture.

[0005] It is an aim of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating article, in which a greater portion of an aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article is sufficiently heated to form an aerosol during use. It is also an objective of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating article that can be manufactured relatively efficiently and cheaply. It is also an objective of the present disclosure to provide aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating systems optimised for use with such aerosolgenerating articles.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device configured to engage with the aerosolgenerating article to form an inhalable aerosol, the aerosol-generating article may have an article body, an airflow path being defined through the article body between an article airflow inlet and an article airflow outlet. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cavity dimensioned to receive the aerosol-generating article, the cavity comprising a cavity airflow inlet. The cavity airflow inlet may be configured to align with the article airflow inlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, such that air flowing through the cavity inlet flows through the article inlet into the aerosol-generating article.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device configured to engage with the aerosolgenerating article to form an inhalable aerosol. The aerosol-generating article may have an article body defined by a first article dimension, a second article dimension perpendicular to the first article dimension, and an article thickness perpendicular to both the first article dimension and the second article dimension. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a closable cavity having a minimal cavity length extending, when the cavity is closed, between a cavity airflow inlet and a cavity airflow outlet. The cavity may be further defined by a cavity width perpendicular to the minimal cavity length, extending between a left side wall of the cavity and a right side wall of the cavity, and a cavity height perpendicular to both the cavity depth and cavity width, the cavity height extending between a lower wall of the cavity and an upper wall of the cavity. The cavity may be accessible via a closable opening having a width and a height. The aerosol-generating article is preferably configured to be inserted into the cavity in the direction of its first article dimension, preferably in which the cavity width is no more than 30% greater, for example no more than 15% greater, or no more than 10 % greater, or no more than 5% greater, than the second article dimension. Preferably, the minimal cavity length, when the cavity is closed, is no more than 10% greater, for example no more than 5% greater, or nor more than 2% greater, or no greater, than the first article dimension. The cavity width may be at least 5% greater in magnitude than the second article dimension. The minimal cavity length, when the cavity is closed, may be between 1 % greater and 5% lesser in magnitude than the first article dimension.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device configured to engage with the aerosolgenerating article to form an inhalable aerosol, in which; the aerosol-generating article has an article body, an airflow path being defined through the article body between an article airflow inlet and an article airflow outlet; in which the aerosol-generating device comprises a cavity dimensioned to receive the aerosolgenerating article, the cavity comprising a cavity airflow inlet; in which the cavity airflow inlet is configured to align with the article airflow inlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, such that air flowing through the cavity inlet flows through the article inlet into the aerosol-generating article.

[0009] By providing a close match between the dimensions of the cavity and the dimensions of the article, the article may be located securely in an appropriate position to be heated. Further, the close match in dimensions may allow a good fluidic connection between the device and the article, to optimise aerosoldelivery to a user. A close match in dimensions may also facilitate heat transfer between heaters of the device and the article, particularly if the close tolerance ensures that heaters of the device are brought into physical contact with the article.

[0010] The cavity has a minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width. The article also has a length, a width, and a thickness. Preferably, each of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is no more than 30% greater than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. Preferably, each of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is no more than 15% greater than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. Preferably, each of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is no more than 10% greater than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. Preferably, each of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is no more than 5% greater than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article.

[0011] Preferably, at least one of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is equal to or, lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. Preferably, at least one of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is between 1 % and 20% lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. Preferably, at least one of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is between 2% and 10% lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. Preferably, at least one of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is between 3% and 5% lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. Preferably, at least two of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is equal to or, lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. Preferably, at least two of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is between 1 % and 20% lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. Preferably, at least two of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is between 2% and 10% lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. Preferably, at least two of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity is between 3% and 5% lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article.

[0012] Advantageously, if one of the minimum width of the cavity or minimum thickness of the cavity is equal to or lesser in magnitude than a corresponding width and thickness of the article, the other of the minimum width of the cavity and minimum thickness of the cavity is greater in magnitude than the corresponding width or thickness of the article. This may facilitate insertion and extraction of the article into the device.

[0013] In some examples, each of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity may be equal to or, lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. For example, each of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity may be between 1 % and 20% lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. For example, each of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity may be between 2% and 10% lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article. For example, each of the minimum length, a minimum thickness, and a minimum width of the cavity may be between 3% and 5% lesser in magnitude than the corresponding length, width, and thickness of the article.

[0014] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a main air inlet for receiving an airflow from the outside into an upstream airflow path and a downstream airflow path for delivering the inhalable aerosol to an aerosol outlet. The cavity airflow inlet may be or comprises an upstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect the upstream airflow path with the aerosol-generating article. The cavity airflow outlet may be or comprise a downstream fluidic interconnection configured to fluidically interconnect the aerosol-generating article with the downstream airflow path. The cavity of the device may be termed a heating chamber.

[0015] Thus, the aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating article and an aerosolgenerating device configured to engage with the aerosol-generating article to form an inhalable aerosol, the aerosol-generating device comprising a main air inlet for receiving an airflow from the outside into an upstream airflow path and a downstream airflow path for delivering the inhalable aerosol to an aerosol outlet, in which; the aerosol-generating article has an article body, an airflow path being defined through the article body between an article airflow inlet and an article airflow outlet; in which the aerosol-generating device comprises a heating chamber dimensioned to receive the aerosol-generating article, the heating chamber comprising an upstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect the upstream airflow path with the aerosol-generating article and a downstream fluidic interconnection configured to fluidically interconnect the aerosol-generating article with the downstream airflow path; in which the upstream fluidic interconnection element is configured to align with the article airflow inlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the heating chamber, such that air flowing through the upstream fluidic interconnection element flows through the article inlet into the aerosol-generating article. The cavity airflow inlet may be configured to engage with the article airflow inlet when the aerosolgenerating article is received within the cavity, such that air flowing through the cavity inlet flows through the article inlet into the aerosol-generating article.

[0016] A protruding portion, for example a rim, of the article airflow inlet may interact or mate with a portion of the cavity airflow inlet, for example a recessed portion or a compressible portion of the cavity airflow inlet, when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity. The protruding portion may thus contribute to the formation of a viable seal between the aerosol-generating article and the aerosol-generating device.

[0017] A protruding portion, for example a rim, of the cavity airflow inlet may interact or mate with a portion of the article airflow inlet, for example a recessed portion or a compressible portion of the article airflow inlet, when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

[0018] Preferably, a sealed airflow path is formed from the cavity inlet into the airflow path of the aerosolgenerating article when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

[0019] The device preferably comprises an openable cavity closure configured to close the cavity when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

[0020] The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a cavity airflow outlet, the cavity airflow outlet being configured to align with the article airflow outlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, such that air flowing through the aerosol-generating article flows out of the cavity through the article airflow outlet, for example into the downstream airflow path. The cavity airflow outlet may be defined through the cavity closure.

[0021] The cavity airflow outlet is preferably configured to engage with the article airflow outlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, such that air flowing through the cavity inlet, for example from the upstream airflow path, flows through the article inlet into the aerosol-generating article.

[0022] A protruding portion, for example a rim, of the article airflow outlet may interact or mate with a portion of the cavity airflow outlet, for example a recessed portion or a compressible portion of the cavity airflow outlet, when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity. Conversely, a protruding portion, for example a rim, of the cavity airflow outlet may interact or mate with a portion of the article airflow outlet, for example a recessed portion or a compressible portion of the article airflow outlet, when the aerosolgenerating article is received within the cavity.

[0023] Preferably, a sealed airflow path is formed from the article airflow outlet and through the cavity airflow outlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

[0024] The device further comprise a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece being in fluid communication with a, or the, cavity airflow outlet. Preferably, for example the mouthpiece comprises the aerosol outlet of the device. The mouthpiece may be coupled to, or an integral part of, a cavity closure.

[0025] The aerosol-generating article may have an article body defined by a first article dimension, a second article dimension perpendicular to the first article dimension, and an article thickness perpendicular to both the first article dimension and the second article dimension, in which the aerosol-generating device comprises a closable cavity having a minimal cavity length extending, when the cavity is closed, between a cavity airflow inlet and a cavity airflow outlet, the cavity further defined by a cavity width perpendicular to the minimal cavity length, extending between a left side wall of the cavity and a right side wall of the cavity, and a cavity height perpendicular to both the cavity depth and cavity width, the cavity height extending between a lower wall of the cavity and an upper wall of the cavity, the cavity being accessible via a closable opening having a width and a height. The aerosol-generating article is preferably configured to be inserted into the cavity in the direction of its first article dimension, and in which the cavity width is at least 5% greater in magnitude than the second article dimension and the minimal cavity length, when the cavity is closed, is between 1 % greater and 5% lesser in magnitude than the first article dimension.

[0026] The first article dimension may be an article width and the second article dimension may be an article length. Conversely, the first article dimension may be an article length and the second article dimension may be an article width.

[0027] Preferably, the aerosol-generating device comprises a heating means, for example a heater, configured to heat the aerosol-generating article when the article is received within the cavity. Preferably, at least a portion of the heater is located within the cavity.

[0028] Advantageously, the aerosol-generating article may be removably retained within the cavity by a retaining means or retaining mechanism, for example a retaining means or retaining mechanism located within the cavity, for example a retaining means or retaining mechanism that grips the aerosol-generating article when the article is inserted into the cavity. The aerosol-generating article may be retained within the cavity by interaction between the article and upper and lower walls of the cavity, for example in which at least a portion of upper and lower walls of the cavity are spaced by less than the thickness of the article and deflect when the article is inserted into the cavity, gripping the article. The aerosol-generating article may be retained within the cavity by interaction between at least one heater located in the cavity and the article, for example in which a heater is located on or adjacent to at least one of the upper and lower walls of the cavity, the heater or heaters deflecting when the article is inserted into the cavity, gripping the article. Heaters may be located adjacent both upper and lower walls of the cavity, a minimal cavity thickness being defined by the distance between the heaters. The minimal cavity distance may no more than 30% greater than the thickness of the aerosol-generating article, for example no more than 15% greater, or no more than 5% greater. The minimal cavity distance may be lesser than the thickness of the aerosol-generating article for example between 1 % and 20% less than the thickness of the aerosol-generating article, for example between 5% and 10% less.

[0029] The minimal cavity distance may be less than the thickness of the aerosol-generating article, for example between 5% and 20% less than the thickness of the aerosol-generating article

[0030] The first article dimension may be greater than, or equal to, the second article dimension. The aerosol-generating article may be substantially cuboid, or substantially parallelepiped. The aerosolgenerating article may be substantially rectangular in plan view. In preferred examples, the aerosolgenerating article has a length between 15 millimetres and 45 millimetres, for example between 25 millimetres and 35 millimetres, for example about 30 millimetres. In preferred examples, the aerosolgenerating article has a width between 3 millimetres and 17 millimetres, for example between 9 millimetres and 11 millimetres, for example about 10 millimetres. In preferred examples, the aerosol-generating article has a thickness between 1 millimetres and 5.5 millimetres, for example between 3 millimetres and 3.5 millimetres, for example about 3.1 millimetres.

[0031] Preferably, the aerosol-generating article is an aerosol-generating article according to any aerosolgenerating article disclosed herein. Optionally, an aerosol-generating article used in the system may be a lubricated article in which at least a portion of the external surface of the article is coated with a lubricant, such as a wax, to facilitate interaction with an aerosol-generating device.

[0032] The aerosol-generating device may be any device suitable for use with the article. The aerosolgenerating device may be any aerosol-generating device described herein. Aerosol-generating articles according to the present disclosure.

[0033] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a first planar external surface; and a second planar external surface.

[0034] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article comprising one or more aerosol-generating substrates, the aerosol-generating article comprising a first planar external surface and a second planar external surface.

[0035] Advantageously, articles and substrates comprising a first planar external surface and a second planar external surface may allow for good contact with an external heater, particularly a planar external heater, of an aerosol-generating device, thereby providing optimum heating of the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0036] Advantageously, articles and substrates comprising a first planar external surface and a second planar external surface may provide a large surface area for heating by an external heater of an aerosolgenerating device, thereby allowing the aerosol-generating substrate to be quickly heated to a temperature sufficient for generating an aerosol.

[0037] Advantageously, aerosol-generating articles of the present disclosure may be heated along substantially their entire length and width, thereby allowing the entire aerosol-generating substrate to be sufficiently heated to generate an aerosol.

[0038] Advantageously, certain examples of aerosol-generating articles of the present disclosure may be manufactured by layering sheet materials which can be achieved through a continuous manufacturing process, thereby resulting in an aerosol-generating article that is relatively easy and cheap to manufacture.

[0039] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, for example an aerosol-forming material, for producing an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article having a base defined by an x dimension extending in an x direction and a y dimension extending in a y direction, and a height defined by a z dimension extending in a z direction.

[0040] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, for example an aerosol-forming material, for producing an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article having a base defined by an x dimension extending in an x direction and a y dimension extending in a y direction, and a height defined by a z dimension extending in a z direction, in which at least a portion of a external surface of the aerosol-generating article comprises a lubricant, such as a wax.

[0041] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-forming substrate comprising an aerosol-forming material for producing an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate being a planar aerosolforming substrate having a base defined by a length extending in an x direction, a width extending in a y direction, and a height extending in a z direction.

[0042] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-forming substrate comprising an aerosol-forming material for producing an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate comprising a substantially planar upper surface defined by a length extending in an x direction and a width extending in a y direction, and a substantially planar lower surface defined by a length extending in an x direction and a width extending in a y direction, the substantially planar upper surface and the substantially planar lower surface being vertically spaced from each other by a height defined in a z direction. The aerosol-forming substrate may be an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a component part of an aerosol-generating article.

[0043] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-forming substrate comprising an aerosol-forming material for producing an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate having a base defined by an x dimension and a y dimension, and a height defined by a z dimension, in which an air-flow path is defined through the aerosol-forming substrate in an x / y plane from one side of the aerosol-forming substrate to the other side of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be an aerosolgenerating article. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a component part of an aerosol-generating article.

[0044] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosolforming substrate for producing an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article being a planar aerosol-generating article having a base defined by a length extending in an x direction, a width extending in a y direction, and a height extending in a z direction.

[0045] The height of the aerosol-generating article is preferably less than both of the length and width of the aerosol-generating article. For the purpose of the present disclosure, the “height” of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the “thickness” of the aerosol-generating article.

[0046] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosolforming substrate, for example an aerosol-forming material, for producing an aerosol, the aerosolgenerating article comprising a substantially planar upper surface defined by a length extending in an x direction and a width extending in a y direction, and a substantially planar lower surface defined by a length extending in an x direction and a width extending in a y direction. The substantially planar upper surface and the substantially planar lower surface may be vertically spaced from each other by a height defined in a z direction.

[0047] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-forming substrate comprising an aerosol-forming material for producing an aerosol, the aerosol-forming substrate having a base defined by an x dimension and a y dimension, and a height defined by a z dimension, in which an air-flow path is defined through the aerosol-forming substrate in an x / y plane from one side of the aerosol-forming substrate to the other side of the aerosol-forming substrate, in which a resistance to draw (RTD) of the substrate, along the air-flow path, is less than 20 millimetre H2O. The aerosol-forming substrate may be an aerosolgenerating article. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a component part of an aerosol-generating article.

[0048] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an inhalable aerosol, the aerosol-generating article comprising an article upstream end and an article downstream end, wherein an article airflow path and an article length extend from the article upstream end to the article downstream end.

[0049] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a first planar external surface; a second planar external surface; a cavity; a frame positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface, the frame at least partially defining the cavity; one or more aerosol-generating substrates; and an air inlet and an air outlet, and an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet through the cavity. According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming material for producing an aerosol, the aerosol-forming article comprising a first planar layer extending in a first plane and a second planar layer extending in a second plane, the second plane being parallel to and spaced from the first plane, a thickness of the aerosol-generating article extending in a direction perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane, in which a cavity is defined between the first planar layer and the second planar layer, a height of the cavity being defined by the distance between a lower surface of the first planar layer and an upper surface of the second planar layer, and in which the thickness of the aerosol-generating article is less than 5 millimetres and the height of the cavity is greater than 50 percent of the thickness of the article.

[0050] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first planar external surface, a second planar external surface, a cavity and a frame. The frame is positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The frame at least partially defines the cavity. The aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosolgenerating article may comprise an air inlet and an air outlet, and an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet through the cavity.

[0051] Preferably, an aerosol-forming substrate is positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface.

[0052] The frame may comprise a peripheral wall at least partially circumscribing or encircling the cavity. The frame may comprise a peripheral wall wholly circumscribing or encircling the cavity. Advantageously, the frame may allow the aerosol-generating article to be relatively thin whilst maintaining structural rigidity.

[0053] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first planar external layer and a second planar external layer, in which the first planar external layer forms the first planar external surface and the second planar external layer forms the second planar external surface. Optionally, at least one of the first planar external layer, the second planar external layer, and the frame may comprise or consist of aerosol-forming substrate.

[0054] The cavity may be substantially empty.

[0055] Aerosol-forming substrate may be positioned within the cavity.

[0056] A corrugated layer may be positioned within the cavity.

[0057] The frame may be a planar frame.

[0058] The frame may have a height between 50 percent and 95 percent of the height of the aerosolgenerating article. The frame may have a height between 60 percent and 95 percent of the height of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may have a height between 70 percent and 95 percent of the height of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may have a height between 80 percent and 95 percent of the height of the aerosol-generating article.

[0059] The frame may have a height between 1 millimetre and 5.5 millimetres. The frame may have a height between 1 millimetre and 5 millimetres. Preferably, the frame may have a height between 1 .5 millimetres and 5 millimetres.

[0060] The frame may be made from or comprise a biodegradable material. The frame may be made entirely from a biodegradable material.

[0061] The frame may be made from or comprise a cellulosic material. The cellulosic material may comprise a sheet of cellulosic material. The cellulosic material may comprise cellulose fibres. The cellulosic material may be paper, paperboard, or cardboard. The frame may be made from or comprise a plant material, such as tobacco. The frame may be made entirely from a cellulosic material.

[0062] The frame may be a unitary component. Alternatively, the frame may comprise two or more layers. That is, the frame may have a laminated structure.

[0063] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a first planar external surface; a second planar external surface; a cavity; a frame positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface, the frame at least partially defining the cavity; and one or more aerosol-generating substrates, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a length of between 15 millimetres and 45 millimetres, a width of between 5 millimetres and 15 millimetres, and a thickness of between 1 millimetre and 5 millimetres.

[0064] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction and a thickness extending in a z-direction; one or more aerosol-generating substrates; a first planar external surface and a second planar external surface spaced from the first planar external surface in the z-direction; and a first external corner extending from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface, the first external corner connecting a first end face of the aerosol-generating article and a first side face of the aerosol-generating article; wherein the first external corner is chamfered or rounded.

[0065] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article being defined by an article length, an article width, and an article thickness, the article width being greater than the article thickness, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a first external surface and a second external surface facing in substantially the opposite direction to the first external surface; a cavity located within the aerosolgenerating article between the first external surface and the second external surface; and an airflow passage defined through the aerosol-generating article between an air inlet and an air outlet, the airflow passage extending through the cavity, wherein an aerosol-forming substrate is located within the cavity, the aerosol-forming substrate being in the form of a plurality of discrete, free-flowing, beads having an average particle diameter of between 0.1 mm and 4 mm, for example between 0.5 mm and 4 mm.

[0066] Various optional and advantageous features of aerosol-generating articles according to the present disclosure, including preferred dimensions and preferred aerosol-forming material components, are set out in greater detail below.

[0067] Aerosol-generating devices according to the present disclosure

[0068] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating device for receiving an aerosol-generating article, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any example or embodiment disclosed herein, to form an inhalable aerosol, the aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article, a heater or heating means, a power source for supplying power to the heater or heating means, and a controller to control supply of power to the heater or heating means.

[0069] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces or surfaces, which may also be referred to as the large surfaces, two opposing side faces or surfaces, also referred to herein as lateral faces or surfaces, and two opposing end faces or surfaces. The aerosol-forming article includes an aerosol-forming substrate arranged between the opposing main faces. The aerosol-forming device comprises a main air inlet for receiving an airflow from an outside. The outside may refer to an exterior environment or surrounding of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a downstream element removably or fixedly attachable to a mouthpiece of the aerosol-forming device, wherein the downstream element includes a downstream air channel. The downstream element may also be referred to herein as second housing part or as mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a device body, also referred to herein as body portion or first housing part of the aerosol-forming device, wherein the body part includes a heating chamber, which defines an insertion direction for at least partly inserting an aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a first air path structure with two parallelly arranged first air channels fluidically connected or coupled to the main air inlet, the first air channels running in parallel to the heating chamber on two opposing sides thereof. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a second air path structure arranged and / or configured to redirect the air flow from the two parallelly arranged first air channels to a centre axis of the aerosol forming device.

[0070] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fluidic interconnection element for an aerosol-forming device, wherein the fluidic interconnection element may be configured to provide for a fluidic connection between the aerosol-forming device and an aerosol-forming article insertable into and / or removable from the aerosol-forming device. The fluidic interconnection element, as used herein, may refer to an element or component for fluidically connecting and / or coupling the aerosol-forming device and an aerosol-forming article. The fluidic interconnection element may provide an at least partly fluid-tight sealing between the aerosol-forming device and an aerosol-forming article. The fluidic interconnection element may also be referred to herein as sealing member or element.

[0071] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming or aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming device comprises a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article, an upstream airflow path configured to provide air to the aerosol-forming substrate when received in the heating chamber. For example, the upstream airflow path may be configured to guide or pass air through the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming device further comprises an upstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect and / or fluidically couple the upstream airflow path with the aerosolforming article, wherein the upstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a fluidic connection and / or fluidic coupling between the upstream airflow path and the substrate of the aerosol-forming article.

[0072] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming device comprises a downstream airflow path configured to receive aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate, and a downstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect and / or couple to an aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article, wherein the downstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around the aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a fluidic connection and / or coupling between the downstream airflow path and the substrate of the aerosol-forming article.

[0073] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming device comprises a device body or first housing part forming or defining a main axis of extension of the aerosol-forming device. The main axis of extension may refer to or be coaxial with the longitudinal axis and / or centre axis of the aerosol-forming device. The device further comprises a heating module arranged at least partially inside the device body, the heating module being configured to at least partially and removably hold the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a downstream element, second housing part or mouthpiece portion movably attached to the device body, and configured to or able to move between an open position and a use position. In the open position, the aerosol-forming device is configured to provide access to a heating chamber of the heating module, and in the use position, the aerosol-forming device is configured to close the heating module. The device further comprises a spring biasing mechanism establishing or configured to establish or exert a compressive force acting onto the inserted aerosol-forming article in a direction along the main axis of extension, when the downstream element is in the use position.

[0074] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, for example opposing each other in normal direction of the aerosol-forming device and / or article. The aerosol-forming device comprises a heating chamber for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, and a convective air heater or convective heater assembly arranged upstream of the heating chamber. Therein, the convective air heater includes a slit-shaped or slot shaped air channel and a resistive heating element, which may be planar or helix- or spiral-shaped, arranged inside the slitshaped or slot-shaped air channel, such that two air flow channels or paths, also referred to herein as narrow air flow channels or simply as gaps, are formed above and below the resistive heating element. The slit-shaped or slot shaped air channel may also be referred to as convective heating chamber. For instance, the air channels or gaps may be formed on two opposite sides, for example two planar sides or surfaces, of the resistive heating element.

[0075] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces. The aerosol-forming device comprises a heating chamber for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, the heating chamber defining an insertion direction, for example for inserting the aerosol-forming article into the aerosol-forming device. The insertion direction may extend along or parallel to an insertion axis and / or a longitudinal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a convective air heater assembly arranged upstream of the heating chamber, the convective air heater assembly including a resistive heater element or resistive heating element extending at least partly into the convective air heater assembly or therein. The space in the convective heater assembly in which the resistive heating element is arranged may also be referred to as convective heating chamber. Therein, the convective air heater assembly includes two air heating channels leading from each side or lateral face of the aerosol-forming device to a central air channel. Alternatively or additionally, the convective air heater assembly may include two air heating channels leading or extending from two opposing sides or lateral faces of the aerosol-forming device, for example opposing in transverse direction and / or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device, to a central air channel. Further, the central air channel may lead or extend fluidically to an air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, the central air channel may be fluidically coupled or couplable to the air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

[0076] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, and an aerosol-forming substrate arranged between the opposing main faces. The main faces or surfaces may oppose each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, for example in transverse direction or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The substrate may be arranged therebetween, for example in transverse direction or normal direction of the aerosolforming device. The aerosol-forming device comprises a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the substantially rectangular parallelepiped aerosol-forming article, the heating chamber defining an insertion direction for the aerosol-forming article. The insertion direction may extend along or parallel to an insertion axis and / or a longitudinal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a heating structure, at least an element thereof made of an electrically conductive material, the heating structure being arranged at least partly inside the heating chamber, such that upon insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, at least a part of the heating structure is configured to move towards an adjacent side face and / or a main face or surface of the heating chamber, so that a heating surface of the heating structure and / or said at least part of the heating structure is pressed against one of the main faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article. For example, the heating structure may comprise at least one ortwo heating elements, which may, for example, be resistive heating elements. At least a part of the heating element may be moved by the insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber.

[0077] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heating structure for an aerosolforming device, for example for heating an aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining or with two opposing main faces. The heating structure includes a distal end and a proximal end. The heating structure comprises a holding section having two terminals for electrical interconnection arranged at the distal end, for example with an electric circuit of the aerosol-generating device. The heating structure further comprises a central section including a plurality of parallelly-arranged heater branches or resistive branches, and a proximal end section forming one or more plate-like elements. The central section may be arranged between the holding section and the proximal section in direction from the distal to the proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. The central section may be configured to heat at least one main face or surface of the aerosol-forming article. The heating structure may also be referred to herein as a heating element, for example a first and / or second heating element. The holding section may also be referred to herein as a first end. The central section may also be referred to herein as heating section. The proximal end section may also be referred to herein as a second end.

[0078] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heater module for an aerosolforming device, the heater module configured to removably and at least partially receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces. The heater module comprises a heating structure including two opposing heating elements forming a substantially rectangular parallelepiped heating volume therebetween for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, the heating volume being arranged at least partially inside a heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device and defining an insertion axis, for example parallel to or coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. The heater elements may oppose each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, for example along a transverse direction or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The heater module further comprises a heater casing made of a non-conductive material forming an outer shell around the two opposing heating elements. Further, two smaller inner side faces or lateral faces of the heater casing form or define the inner small side faces or lateral faces of the heating chamber. The heater module further comprises a backplate forming a distal end wall or end face of the heating chamber, the backplate having an upstream air inlet for fluidic connection with the aerosol-forming article.

[0079] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device for generating aerosol, for example aerosol inhalable by a user and / or nicotine containing aerosol. The aerosolforming device comprises a first housing part including a heating chamber configured to receive an aerosolforming article, and a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part, such that the second housing part is movable relative to the first housing part along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device between an open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article, and a use position for generating aerosol based on heating at least a part of the aerosol-forming article. Therein, the second housing part includes a fixation means configured to engage with the aerosolforming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is movable along the longitudinal direction based on movement of the second housing part along the longitudinal direction.

[0080] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device including a device housing and a mouthpiece. The device housing may also be referred to herein as housing of the aerosol-forming device. The device housing includes a storage chamber for storing or accommodating the mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece is movable between a storage position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly arranged inside the storage chamber, and a use or extracted position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly displaced from the storage position and at least partly protrudes from the device housing, for example at a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device includes an actuator, also referred to herein as mouthpiece actuator, which is movably arranged on the device housing, the actuator or mouthpiece being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the movement of the mouthpiece between the storage position and the use position is actuatable by the movement of the actuator between the first position and the second position. Further, a heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device is arranged in the device housing, the heating chamber being configured to heat an aerosol-forming article or substrate, wherein an airflow channel is provided in the device housing, wherein the airflow channel is configured to conduct aerosol from the heating chamber through the mouthpiece for inhalation by a user, and wherein downstream of the heating chamber, the airflow channel includes at least one air inlet channel in the device housing, the at least one air inlet channel being configured to provide a fluid coupling or connection between the airflow channel and an outside environment of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the at least one air inlet channel is configured to provide an air flow from the outside environment into the airflow channel, wherein the air inlet channel is blocked when the mouthpiece is in the storage position and open when the mouthpiece is in the use position.

[0081] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device comprising a device housing with a first housing part and a second housing part. The device housing is also referred to herein a housing of the aerosol-forming device. The first housing part is also referred to herein as device body, and the second housing part is also referred to herein as mouthpiece portion or downstream element or part of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a housing actuator or actuator movably arranged on the first housing part, the housing actuator being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first housing part includes a heating chamber, wherein the heating chamber is configured to heat an aerosol-forming article or substrate and includes a loading opening, the loading opening being configured to receive the aerosol-forming article or substrate, for example along an insertion direction or longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the second housing part is fixed or hinged to the first housing part via a rotational joint or hinge and rotatably or pivotably movable between a use position, also referred to herein as sealing position, and an open position, also referred to herein as loading position, by movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position. Further, the second housing part covers the loading opening of the heating chamber, also referred to herein as opening of the heating chamber, in the use position, and wherein the second housing part is removed from the loading opening or opening of the heating chamber in the open position, for example such that the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article via the opening or remove it therefrom.

[0082] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of loading an aerosol-forming article into an aerosol-forming device or system, for example loading an aerosol-forming article into a heating chamber of an aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may refer to any aerosol-forming device described herein. In particular, the aerosol-forming device can comprise a first housing part, which includes the heating chamber, and a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part, such that the second housing part is movable relative to the first housing part along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The method may comprise moving and / or displacing the second and / or first housing part from a use position, in which the heating chamber is covered by the second housing part, towards or into an open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article. The method further comprises inserting the aerosol-forming article at least partly into the heating chamber, and moving the second and / or first housing part from the open position into the use position, thereby at least partly engaging the aerosol-forming article with a fixation means arranged at the second housing part, such that the aerosol-forming article is pushed by the relative movement of the first and second housing parts completely into the heating chamber.

[0083] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of loading an aerosol-forming article or substrate into an aerosol-forming device, for example into a heating chamber of an aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may include a device housing including a first housing part and a second housing part, the second housing part being fixed to the first housing part via a rotational joint. The method comprises moving a housing actuator on the first housing part from a first position into a second position, translating the movement of the housing actuator between the first and second positions into a rotation of the second housing part from a use position, in which the second housing part covers a loading opening or opening of the heating chamber, into an open position, in which the second housing part is removed from the loading opening of the heating chamber.

[0084] According to an aspect, there is provided a method of controlling air flow through an air inlet channel of an airflow channel in an aerosol-forming device, for example an aerosol-forming device as described herein. The air inlet channel may be arranged downstream of a heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device and provide a connection between the airflow channel and an outside environment. The method comprises moving a mouthpiece of the aerosol-forming device between a storage position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly arranged inside the storage chamber, and a use position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly displaced from the storage position and at least partly protrudes from the device housing, by moving an actuator or mouthpiece actuator or slider between a first position and a second position. The method further comprises closing the air inlet channel when the mouthpiece is moved into the storage position, and opening the air inlet channel when the mouthpiece is moved into the use position.

[0085] Various optional and advantageous features of aerosol-generating devices, and methods of using aerosol generating devices are set out in greater detail below according to the present disclosure, including preferred dimensions and preferred aerosol-forming material components, are set out in greater detail below.

[0086] Aerosol-generating systems according to the present disclosure

[0087] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to any examples or embodiments disclosed herein.

[0088] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system. The aerosolgenerating system may comprise an aerosol-generating article as described above, and an aerosolgenerating device. The aerosol-generating device is configured to be used with the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol. Optionally, at least a portion of an external surface of the aerosol-generating article may comprise a lubricant, such as a wax, to facilitate interaction with an aerosol-generating device.

[0089] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating article comprises an at least one aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article is defined by an article length, an article width, and an article thickness, the article length and the article width being at least two times the article thickness. The aerosol-generating device comprises a heating chamber for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device comprises at least one heater, the at least one heater defining a heating zone in the heating chamber. When the aerosol-generating article is fully received in the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device, between 10 and 90 percent, preferably between 20 and 80 percent, of a total mass of the at least one aerosol-forming substrate is located within the heating zone.

[0090] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device configured to engage with the aerosolgenerating article to form an inhalable aerosol, the aerosol-generating article may have an article body, an airflow path being defined through the article body between an article airflow inlet and an article airflow outlet. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cavity dimensioned to receive the aerosol-generating article, the cavity comprising a cavity airflow inlet. The cavity airflow inlet may be configured to align with the article airflow inlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, such that air flowing through the cavity inlet flows through the article inlet into the aerosol-generating article.

[0091] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device configured to engage with the aerosolgenerating article to form an inhalable aerosol. The aerosol-generating article may have an article body defined by a first article dimension, a second article dimension perpendicular to the first article dimension, and an article thickness perpendicular to both the first article dimension and the second article dimension. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a closable cavity having a minimal cavity length extending, when the cavity is closed, between a cavity airflow inlet and a cavity airflow outlet. The cavity may be further defined by a cavity width perpendicular to the minimal cavity length, extending between a left side wall of the cavity and a right side wall of the cavity, and a cavity height perpendicular to both the cavity depth and cavity width, the cavity height extending between a lower wall of the cavity and an upper wall of the cavity. The cavity may be accessible via a closable opening having a width and a height. The aerosol-generating article is preferably configured to be inserted into the cavity in the direction of its first article dimension, preferably in which the cavity width is no more than 30% greater, for example no more than 15% greater, or no more than 10 % greater, or no more than 5% greater, than the second article dimension. Preferably, the minimal cavity length, when the cavity is closed, is no more than 10% greater, for example no more than 5% greater, or nor more than 2% greater, or no greater, than the first article dimension. The cavity width may be at least 5% greater in magnitude than the second article dimension. The minimal cavity length, when the cavity is closed, may be between 1 % greater and 5% lesser in magnitude than the first article dimension.

[0092] According to the present disclosure, there may be provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device configured to engage with the aerosolgenerating article to form an inhalable aerosol, in which; the aerosol-generating article has an article body, an airflow path being defined through the article body between an article airflow inlet and an article airflow outlet; in which the aerosol-generating device comprises a cavity dimensioned to receive the aerosolgenerating article, the cavity comprising a cavity airflow inlet; in which the cavity airflow inlet is configured to align with the article airflow inlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, such that air flowing through the cavity inlet flows through the article inlet into the aerosol-generating article.

[0093] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming or aerosol-generating system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device, for example any of the aerosol-forming device described herein, and a companion device configured to charge and / or at least partly receive the aerosol-forming device, for example in a cavity or compartment arranged in a housing of the companion device.

[0094] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming device and a removable aerosol forming article, wherein the aerosol-forming article includes an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein one or more walls forming the air inlet and the air outlet are made of a compressible material for engagement with the upstream fluidic interconnection element and / or for engagement with the downstream fluidic interconnection element. The walls forming the air inlet and the air outlet of the aerosol-forming article may be part of or may constitute the frame of the aerosolforming article and may also be referred to as such. The air outlet may also be referred to herein as aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article. For instance, in direction of an airflow through the aerosol-forming article, which may correspond to or be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, the aerosol-forming article may be arranged between the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element. The downstream fluidic interconnection element may also be referred to as first or top fluidic interconnection element. The upstream fluidic interconnection element may also be referred to as second or bottom fluidic interconnection element. Therein, the air inlet may be fluidically coupled to the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the air or aerosol outlet may be fluidically coupled to the downstream fluidic interconnection element.

[0095] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming article and an aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may be any aerosol-forming device described with reference to any aspect of the present disclosure. In particular, the aerosol-forming device includes a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming article includes an aerosol-forming substrate and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, defining a longitudinal axis. Therein, the aerosol-forming device includes one or more fluidic interconnection elements, for example one or more of the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element. The at least one fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure surrounding a flow path, wherein the blade structure includes a first end configured to face towards a side face or end face of the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming article includes a cavity or compartment for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, and a fluidic opening arranged on a side face or end face fluidically connected to the cavity, wherein, upon pressing the aerosol-forming article against the fluidic interconnection element, the blade structure of the fluidic interconnection element is configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around the fluidic opening to provide for a fluidic connection between the aerosol-forming device and the removable aerosol-forming article.

[0096] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming article and an aerosol-forming device, for example an aerosol-forming device according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The aerosol-forming device may include a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article, the aerosolforming article including an aerosol-forming substrate and having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Therein, the heating chamber includes two opposing heater elements forming a substantially rectangular parallelepiped heating volume therebetween for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article. The terms heater element and heating element may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein. The heating volume defines an insertion axis for inserting the article therein. The insertion axis may be parallel to or coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the aerosol-forming article may have a length, for example as measured along the insertion axis and / or along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, in a range between 20 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm, more preferably about 30 mm. The aerosol-forming article may have a width, for example as measured along the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, in a range between 7 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 9 mm and 13 mm, more preferably about 11 mm. The aerosol-forming article may have a thickness or height, for example as measured along the normal direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, of between 2 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 4 mm, more preferably about 3.1 mm. Therein, the length may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum length, the width may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum width and the thickness may referto a minimum, mean or maximum thickness, respectively, height of the aerosol-forming article.

[0097] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device as described herein and a companion device configured to charge the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy. The companion device may be configured store and / or at least partly receive the aerosol-forming device, for example in a cavity or compartment thereof.

[0098] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device as described herein and a companion device configured to charge the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy. The companion device may be configured store and / or at least partly receive the aerosol-forming device, for example in a cavity or compartment thereof.

[0099] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device as described herein and at least one aerosolgenerating article as described herein.

[0100] Various optional and advantageous features of aerosol-generating systems according to the present disclosure are set out in greater detail below.

[0101] Optional and advantageous features according to the present disclosure

[0102] Aerosol-generating articles according to the present disclosure may preferably be substantially flat articles or substantially planar articles. Such articles have a large base area relative to the volume of the article. In particular, the height of the aerosol-generating article may be less than 50 percent of both the length and width of the aerosol-generating article. Advantageously, a larger base area may provide greater surface area for heating by a planar heater of an aerosol-generating device. Advantageously, a smaller height may allow a smaller temperature gradient or difference across the height of the aerosol-generating article during heating. For example, where the base of the aerosol-generating article is in contact with, and heated by, a planar heater, there may be a smaller temperature difference between the base and an upper surface opposing the base if the spacing, or height, between the base and the upper surface is smaller. Advantageously, this may allow heating of a greater proportion of the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at which an aerosol is released, whilst minimising the risk of burning the hottest portion of the substrate closest to the heater. Alternatively, or in addition, this may reduce a time required to heat the aerosol-forming substrate sufficiently to release an aerosol.

[0103] The aerosol-generating article according to any of the aspects disclosed herein may have an air flow path extending through the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have an air-flow path defined through the aerosol-generating article in an x / y plane from one side of the aerosol-generating article to the other side of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article preferably has a resistance to draw (RTD) of less than 20 millimetre H2O, for example less than 10 millimetre H2O, in the direction of the airflow path. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a RTD of less than 20 millimetre H2O, for example less than 10 millimetre H2O, in at least one direction in an x / y plane of the aerosolgenerating article. An aerosol-generating article with a low resistance air-flow path may allow for superior air-flow management and allow aerosol to be extracted more efficiently from the aerosol-generating article and guided to a user. Unless otherwise specified, the resistance to draw (RTD) is measured in accordance with ISO 6565- 2015. The RTD refers to the pressure required to force air through the full length of a component, such as the aerosol-generating article. The terms “pressure drop” or “draw resistance” of a component or article may also refer to the “resistance to draw”. Such terms generally refer to the measurements made in accordance with ISO 6565-2015 and are normally carried out at under test at a volumetric flow rate of about 17.5 millilitres per second at the output or downstream end of the measured component at a temperature of about 22 degrees Celsius, a pressure of about 101 kPa (about 760 Torr) and a relative humidity of about 60%.

[0104] The aerosol-generating article according to any of the aspects disclosed herein may comprise substantially planar upper and lower surfaces. A vertical separation between the substantially planar upper and lower surfaces may define a height (for example, a z dimension) of the aerosol-generating article. An air flow channel may be defined between the substantially planar upper and lower surfaces. The height of the aerosol-generating article may be less than 5 millimetres, for example between 1 .5 millimetres and 5 millimetres, for example between 1 .5 millimetres and 4 millimetres, for example between 1 .5 millimetres and 3 millimetres, for example between 1 .5 millimetres and 2 millimetres. One or both of the substantially planar upper and lower surfaces may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may comprise upper and lower layers, the upper layer forming the substantially planar upper surface and the lower layer forming the substantially planar lower surface. At least one of the upper and lower layers may comprise or consist of aerosol-forming substrate

[0105] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. Nicotine may be present in the form of a tobacco material or may be in the form of a nicotine extract.

[0106] Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises, or consists of, homogenised tobacco material, for example a reconstituted tobacco material or a cast leaf tobacco material.

[0107] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise, or consist of, a solid aerosol-forming material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a liquid aerosol-forming material, for example a liquid aerosolforming material retained within a porous matrix. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gel aerosol-forming material.

[0108] The aerosol-generating article may be defined by a length extending in an x direction, a width extending in a y direction, and a height extending in a z direction. A longitudinal airflow path may be defined through the aerosol-generating article between a distal end of the article and a proximal end of the article.

[0109] The aerosol-generating article may be defined by a length extending in an x direction between a distal end and a proximal end, a width extending in a y direction between a first edge and a second edge, and a height extending in a z direction between an upper surface and a lower surface. A distal portion of the aerosol-generating article may be defined between the distal end of the aerosol-generating article and a longitudinal mid-point of the aerosol-generating article. A proximal portion of the aerosol-generating article may be defined between the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article and the longitudinal mid-point of the aerosol-generating article.

[0110] The aerosol-generating article has a length, a width, and a height. Optionally, the length may be greater in magnitude than the width. Optionally, the width may be greater in magnitude than the height.

[0111] The length of the article may be about 1.5 times the magnitude of the width, or about 2 times the magnitude of the width, or about 2.5 times the magnitude of the width, or about 3 times the magnitude width. The length may be greater than 3 the magnitude of the width, for example greater than 4 times the magnitude of the width, for example greater than 5 times the magnitude of the width.

[0112] Preferably, the aerosol-generating article comprises a substantially planar base. For example the base may be defined by a substantially planar lower surface of the aerosol-forming substrate. In preferred examples, the aerosol-generating article may be in the form of a 3-dimensional shape that may be described as cuboid, or rectangular prismatic.

[0113] The length of the article may have a magnitude equal to or greater than 2 times the magnitude of the height, for example 3 times, or 4 times, or 5 times the height, optionally equal to or greater than 6 times the height, for example 10 times the height, or 15 times the height, or 20 times the height.

[0114] The length of the article may be between 10 mm and 50 mm, for example between 12 mm and 30 mm, for example between 14 mm and 26 mm, for example between 16 mm and 24 mm, for example between 18 mm and 22 mm, for example about 18 mm, or about 19 mm, or about 20 mm, or about 21 mm, or about 22 mm.

[0115] The width of the article may be between 5 mm and 20 mm, for example between 8 mm and 18 mm, for example between 10 mm and 16 mm, for example between 11 mm and 15 mm, for example between 12 mm and 14 mm, for example about 13 mm.

[0116] The height of the article may be between 1 mm and 10 mm, for example between 1 .2 mm and 8 mm, for example between 1 .4 mm and 7 mm, for example between 1 .6 mm and 6 mm, for example between 1 .7 mm and 5 mm, for example about 1 .7 mm, or about 4.5 mm, or about 2 mm, or about 3 mm, or about 4 mm.

[0117] Some aerosol-generating articles defined above comprise a structure that includes a frame. For example, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article according to any disclosure above.. The aerosol-generating article is for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol. The aerosolgenerating article may comprise a first external surface and a second external surface, for example a first planar external; surface and a second planar external surface. The aerosol-generating article preferably comprises a cavity. The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a frame positioned between the first external surface and the second external surface. The frame at least partially defines the cavity. The aerosol-generating article comprises one or more aerosol-generating substrates. The aerosol-generating article comprises an air inlet and an air outlet. The aerosol-generating article comprises an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet through the cavity.

[0118] Advantageously, the frame may provide the aerosol-generating article with structural support. In particular, the frame may allow the aerosol-generating article to be relatively thin whilst maintaining structural rigidity.

[0119] The aerosol-generating article may have a length, a width and a thickness. The aerosol-generating article may have a length extending in an x-direction. The aerosol-generating article may have a width extending in a y-direction. The aerosol-generating article may have a thickness extending in a z-direction.

[0120] The aerosol-generating article may comprise an x / y plane. The x / y plane may extend through the geometric centre of the aerosol-generating article. The x / y plane may define a plane of symmetry of the aerosol-generating article. The air inlet and air outlet may be symmetric, for example have a symmetric shape or position, about the x / y plane.

[0121] The aerosol-generating article may comprise an x / z plane. The x / z plane may extend through the geometric centre of the aerosol-generating article. The x / z plane may define a plane of symmetry of the aerosol-generating article. The air inlet and air outlet may be symmetric, for example have a symmetric shape or position, about an x / z plane.

[0122] The aerosol-generating article may comprise an y / z plane. The y / z plane may extend through the geometric centre of the aerosol-generating article. The y / z plane may define a plane of symmetry of the aerosol-generating article. The air inlet and air outlet may be symmetric, for example have a symmetric shape or positioned, about the y / z plane.

[0123] Advantageously, a symmetric aerosol-generating article or an article with a symmetrically shaped or positioned air inlet and air outlet may allow the aerosol-generating article to be inserted into an aerosolgenerating device in multiple orientations.

[0124] The aerosol-generating article may be a substantially flat aerosol-generating article or a substantially planar aerosol-generating article. In particular, a thickness of the aerosol-generating article may less than 50 percent of both a length and a width of the aerosol-generating article. Advantageously, a smaller thickness may provide a small temperature gradient or difference across the thickness of the aerosolgenerating substrate during heating. Advantageously, this may allow heating of a greater proportion of the aerosol-generating substrate to a temperature at which an aerosol is released whilst minimising the risk of burning the hottest portion of the aerosol-generating substrate closest to the heater. Advantageously, this may also reduce a time required to heat the aerosol-generating substrate sufficiently to release an aerosol.

[0125] The aerosol-generating article may have a 3-dimensional shape.

[0126] The aerosol-generating article may have a quadrilaterally-faced hexahedron shape. The aerosolgenerating article may have a rectangular prism shape. The aerosol-generating article may have a cubic shape. The aerosol-generating article may have a cuboid shape. The aerosol-generating article may have a rectangular cuboid shape. The aerosol-generating article may have a parallelepiped shape.

[0127] The aerosol-generating article may have a laminated structure, for example the aerosol-generating article may comprise or be formed from at least two layers. In particular, the aerosol-generating article may comprise at least two of: a first external layer, a second external layer, a frame, a first frame layer, a second frame layer, a third frame layer, a first aerosol-generating substrate layer, and a second aerosol-generating substrate layer as discussed in more detail below.

[0128] Substantially the entirety of the aerosol-generating article, excluding the one or more aerosolgenerating substrates and (if present) adhesive, may be paper or cardboard.

[0129] The air inlet may be positioned, in the z-direction, between the first x / y plane and the second x / y plane. The air outlet may be positioned, in the z-direction, between the first x / y plane and the second x / y plane.

[0130] The aerosol-generating article may comprise one or more susceptor materials. The frame may comprise one or more susceptor materials. The one more susceptor materials may be in thermal contact with the aerosol-generating substrate. The one more susceptor materials may be in thermal contact with the airflow passage. The one more susceptor materials may be in thermal contact with the cavity. The one or more susceptor materials may be positioned in or on the frame inner surface. The one or more susceptor materials may be incorporated within the material of the frame. For example, the one or more susceptor material may be incorporated within the peripheral wall of the frame. Advantageously, the presence of one or more susceptor materials may allow the aerosol-generating article, and thus the aerosol-generating substrate, to be heated by engagement with a fluctuating electromagnetic field formed by an inductor. The one or more susceptor materials may be one or more particles, strips, threads, or wires of susceptor material. The one or more susceptor materials may be one or more sheets or layers of susceptor material. The one of more sheets or layers of susceptor material may be in the form of a mesh of susceptor material.

[0131] The susceptor material, in whatever form, may comprise one or more materials selected from the list consisting of: aluminium, iron and iron alloys, nickel and nickel alloys, cobalt alloys, stainless steel alloys, copper alloys, carbon, expanded carbon, and graphite.

[0132] The aerosol-generating article may comprise an outer wrapper. The outer wrapper may be hydrophobic. The outer wrapper may comprise a hydrophobic material.

[0133] The outer wrapper may define or form the first planar external surface. The outer wrapper may define or form the second planar external surface. The outer wrapper may define or form both the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface.

[0134] The outer wrapper may circumscribe or encircle the frame. The outer wrapper may be in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, the frame. The outer wrapper may overlie opposing ends of the cavity. The outer wrapper may define or form opposing end walls of the cavity, such as the first cavity end wall and the second cavity end wall. That is, the frame and the outer wrapper may collectively define the cavity. In other words, the cavity is defined by the frame and the outer wrapper.

[0135] The cavity may comprise a first cavity end wall and a second cavity end wall positioned opposite the first cavity end wall. The first cavity end wall may be defined, or formed, by the outer wrapper, the first planar external layer or the first aerosol-generating substrate layer. The second cavity end wall may be defined, or formed, by the outer wrapper, the second planar external layer orthe second aerosol-generating substrate layer. The cavity may be enclosed by the first cavity end wall, the second cavity end wall and the frame.

[0136] The cavity may comprise a cavity outer wall. The cavity outer wall may be defined, or formed, by the frame. The cavity outer wall may extend in a transverse direction. The cavity outer wall may extend in a transverse direction between the first cavity end wall and the second cavity end wall. The cavity outer wall may be defined, or formed, by the frame inner surface. The cavity outer wall may be defined, or formed, by the peripheral wall of the frame.

[0137] The cavity may have at least two corners extending between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The at least two corners may be chamfered or rounded or filleted. Preferably, all corners of the cavity extending between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface are chamfered or rounded or filleted.

[0138] Advantageously, a cavity having chamfered, rounded or filleted corners may make the cavity easier to heat. In particular, it may make it easier to heat an aerosol-generating substrate that is positioned within the cavity. Advantageously, a cavity having chamfered, rounded or filleted corners may make the aerosolgenerating article stronger and less susceptible to damage. Advantageously, a cavity having chamfered, rounded or filleted corners may make the aerosol-generating article easier to manufacture.

[0139] The cavity may have a thickness between 0.5 millimetres and 4.5 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness between 1 millimetre and 4.5 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness between 2 millimetre and 4 millimetres. Preferably, the cavity may have a thickness between 2.8 millimetres and 3.3 millimetres.

[0140] The cavity may have a length between 10 millimetres and 40 millimetres. The cavity may have a length between 12 millimetres and 38 millimetres. The cavity may have a length between 14 millimetres and 34 millimetres. The cavity may have a length between 14 millimetres and 30 millimetres. The cavity may have a length between 16 millimetres and 30 millimetres. The cavity may have a length between 18 millimetres and 30 millimetres. The cavity may have a length between 20 millimetres and 30 millimetres. The cavity may have a length between 24 millimetres and 28 millimetres.

[0141] The cavity may have a width between 4.5 millimetres and 13 millimetres. The cavity may have a width between 5 millimetres and 13 millimetres. The cavity may have a width between 7 millimetres and 10 millimetres. The cavity may have a width between 7.5 millimetres and 8.5 millimetres.

[0142] The cavity may have a length between 10 millimetres and 40 millimetres, a width between 4.5 millimetres and 13 millimetres, and a thickness between 0.5 millimetres and 4.5 millimetres.

[0143] Preferably, the cavity may have a length between 12 millimetres and 30 millimetres, a width between 7 millimetres and 10 millimetres, and a thickness between 2.5 millimetres and 4 millimetres.

[0144] Most preferably, the cavity may have a length of 14 millimetres, a width of 7 millimetres, and a thickness of 3.1 millimetres.

[0145] The cavity may be a first cavity. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a second cavity. The second cavity may be positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The second cavity may have any of the features described in relation to the first cavity.

[0146] The one or more aerosol-generating substrates may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate positioned within the cavity. The aerosol-generating substrate positioned within the cavity may fill the cavity. Advantageously, providing an aerosol-generating substrate which fills the cavity enables the aerosolgenerating substrate to provide mechanical support to the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The provision of additional mechanical support to the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface may improve the rigidity of the aerosol-generating article.

[0147] The one or more aerosol-generating substrates may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate positioned within the first cavity. The aerosol-generating substrate positioned within the cavity may fill the first cavity.

[0148] The one or more aerosol-generating substrates may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate positioned within the second cavity.

[0149] The aerosol-generating substrate positioned within the cavity, the first cavity or the second cavity may comprise an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material may be any aerosolgenerating material described herein. For example, the aerosol-generating material may be in the form of shredded aerosol-generating material or beads of aerosol-generating material.

[0150] The aerosol-generating article comprises one or more aerosol-generating materials. Suitable aerosol-generating materials are described in detail below.

[0151] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element positioned upstream of the aerosolforming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element positioned upstream of the cavity. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element at least partially positioned within the air inlet. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element positioned within, and may be positioned at an upstream end of, the cavity.

[0152] Optional shape and dimensions of aerosol-generating articles according to the present disclosure

[0153] The following dimensions may be applicable to any example or embodiment of aerosol-generating article disclosed herein. The aerosol-generating article may have a length (x dimension) that is approximately the same magnitude as its width (y dimension). Alternatively, the length (x dimension) may be greater in magnitude than the width (y dimension). For example, the length may be about 1 .5 times the magnitude of the width, or about 2 times the magnitude of the width, or about 2.5 times the magnitude of the width, or about 3 times the magnitude of the width. The length (x dimension) may be greater than 3 the magnitude of the width, for example greater than 4 times the magnitude of the width, for example greater than 5 times the magnitude of the width.

[0154] The aerosol-generating article may have a base. The base is preferably substantially planar. The base may define a substantially planar lower surface of the aerosol-generating article.

[0155] The aerosol-generating article may be in the form of a 3-dimensional shape that may be described as cuboid, or rectangular prismatic.

[0156] The aerosol-generating article may have one, or both, of the length (x dimension) and the width (y dimension) having a magnitude equal to or greater than 2 times the magnitude of the height (z dimension), for example 3 times, or 4 times, or 5 times the height, optionally equal to or greater than 6 times the height, for example 10 times the height, or 15 times the height, or 20 times the height.

[0157] The aerosol-generating article may have a base defined by a rectangular shape having a length and a width forming a lower surface ofthe aerosol-generating article. An upper surface ofthe aerosol-generating article may be defined by a substantially identical rectangular shape spaced from the base by the height, for example in which both the lower surface and the upper surface are defined as planar surfaces located on parallel planes spaced by the height.

[0158] The aerosol-generating article may have a ratio of the largest in magnitude of its length (x dimension) and its width (y dimension) to its height (z dimension) of between 3:1 and 25:1 , for example between 4:1 and 20:1 , for example between 4.2:1 and 10:1 , for example between 4.5:1 and 8:1 , for example in which the ratio of length to width is between 4:1 and 20:1 , for example between 4.2:1 and 10:1 , for example between 4.5:1 and 8:1. Advantageously, these ratios above may provide a compromise between at least the following four factors: a base surface area for heating, which may increase with the x and y dimensions; a temperature difference across the height of the substrate when heated at one or both of the base and the upper surface, which may increase with the z dimension; a structural rigidity of the substrate or article, which, for substrates having x and y dimensions greater than 4 times the z dimension, may decrease with the x and y dimensions for a given z dimension, and increase with the z dimension for given x and y dimensions; and a capability of the substrate to generate a sufficient quantity of aerosol to satisfy a user, which may increase with the x, y and z dimensions.

[0159] The aerosol-generating article may have a length (x dimension) of between 10 mm and 50 mm, for example between 12 mm and 30 mm, for example between 14 mm and 26 mm, for example between 16 mm and 24 mm, for example between 18 mm and 22 mm, for example about 18 mm, or about 19 mm, or about 20 mm, or about 21 mm, or about 22 mm. Preferable lengths may be 29 mm, or 30 mm, or 31 mm.

[0160] The aerosol-generating article may have a width (y dimension) of between 5 mm and 20 mm, for example between 8 mm and 18 mm, for example between 10 mm and 16 mm, for example between 11 mm and 15 mm, for example between 12 mm and 14 mm, for example about 13 mm. Preferable widths may be about 6 mm or about 7 mm.

[0161] The aerosol-generating article may have a height (z dimension) of between 1 mm and 10 mm, for example between 1 .2 mm and 8 mm, for example between 1 .4 mm and 7 mm, for example between 1 .6 mm and 6 mm, for example between 1 .7 mm and 5 mm, for example about 1 .7 mm, or about 4.5 mm, or about 2 mm, or about 3 mm, or about 4 mm. Preferable thicknesses may be about 3 mm.

[0162] Optional aerosol-forming substrates and aerosol-forming materials for aerosol-generating articles according to the present disclosure

[0163] An aerosol-generating article according to any example or embodiment disclosed herein comprises one or more aerosol-forming materials. The term aerosol-forming material is synonymous with the term aerosol-generating material, and both terms are used interchangeably herein. The following description of suitable aerosol-forming materials I aerosol-generating materials may be applied to any of the aerosolgenerating articles disclosed herein.

[0164] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more organic materials such as tobacco, mint, tea and cloves. The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco such as cast leaf, extruded tobacco, expanded tobacco, aerosol-generating films and gel compositions.

[0165] The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of shredded aerosol-generating material. The shredded aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more of: strips and strands of aerosolgenerating material, such as strips and strands of tobacco or homogenised tobacco material. The shredded aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a shredded sheet of homogenised tobacco material.

[0166] The aerosol-generating material may be cut filler. The aerosol-generating material may be tobacco cut filler. The cut filler may comprise one or more of bright tobacco, dark tobacco, aromatic tobacco and filler tobacco. Examples of bright tobaccos are Flue-Cured Brazil, Indian Flue-Cured, Chinese Flue-Cured, US Flue-Cured such as Virginia tobacco, and Flue-Cured from Tanzania. Examples of aromatic tobaccos are Oriental Turkey, Greek Oriental, semi-oriental tobacco but also Fire Cured, US Burley, such as Perique, and Rustica. Examples of dark tobacco are Dark Cured Brazil Galpao, Burley Malawi or other African Burley, Sun Cured or Air Cured Indonesian Kasturi. As used herein, the term “cut filler” is used to describe to a blend of shredded plant material, such as tobacco plant material, including, in particular, one or more of leaf lamina, processed stems and ribs, homogenised plant material.

[0167] The cut filler suitable to be used with the present invention generally may resemble cut filler used for conventional smoking articles. The cut width of the cut filler preferably may be between 0.3 millimetres and 2.0 millimetres, or between 0.5 millimetres and 1.2 millimetres, or between 0.6 millimetres and 0.9 millimetres. Preferably, the strands have a length of between about 10 millimetres and about 40 millimetres.

[0168] Preferably, the cut filler is soaked with the aerosol former. Soaking the cut filler can be done by spraying or by other suitable application methods. Preferably, the aerosol former in the cut filler comprises one or more of glycerol and propylene glycol. The aerosol former may consist of glycerol or propylene glycol or of a combination of glycerol and propylene glycol.

[0169] The aerosol-generating material may comprise homogenised plant material, preferably a homogenised tobacco material.

[0170] As used herein, the term “homogenised plant material” encompasses any plant material formed by the agglomeration of particles of plant. For example, sheets or webs of homogenised tobacco material for the aerosol-generating substrates of the present invention may be formed by agglomerating particles of tobacco material obtained by pulverising, grinding or comminuting plant material and optionally one or more of tobacco leaf lamina and tobacco leaf stems. The homogenised plant material may be produced by casting, extrusion, paper making processes or other any other suitable processes known in the art. The homogenised plant material may be in the form of one or more sheets.

[0171] The homogenised plant material may be in the form of a plurality of pellets or granules.

[0172] The homogenised plant material may be in the form of a plurality of strands, strips or shreds. As used herein, the term “strand” describes an elongate element of material having a length that is substantially greater than the width and thickness thereof.

[0173] The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a sheet of aerosol-generating material. As used herein, the term “sheet” describes a laminar element having a width and length substantially greater than the thickness thereof. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a sheet of plant material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a sheet of tobacco material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a sheet of homogenised tobacco material, such as a cast leaf sheet.

[0174] The sheet of aerosol-generating material may have a grammage of between 100 grams per square metre and 600 grams per square metre. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may have a grammage of between 100 grams per square metre and 300 grams per square metre.

[0175] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more cannabinoid compounds such as one or more of: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabivarin (CBV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabicitran (CBT). It may be preferable that the cannabinoid compound is CBD or THC. It may be particularly preferable that the cannabinoid compound is CBD.

[0176] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more aerosol-formers. Suitable aerosolformers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, one or more aerosol-formers selected from: polyhydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1 , 3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. It may be particularly preferable for the aerosol-former to be or comprise one or both of glycerine and propylene glycol. The aerosol former may consist of glycerine or propylene glycol or of a combination of glycerine and propylene glycol.

[0177] The aerosol-generating material may have an aerosol-former content greater than or equal to 1 , 2, 5, 10, or 15 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-generating material may have an aerosolformer content greater than or equal to 15 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, for example greater than 20 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 25 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 30 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 40 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 50 by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0178] The aerosol-generating material may have an aerosol-former content of at least 50 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, at least 60 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, or at least 70 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0179] The aerosol-generating material may have a moisture content of about 5 to 25%, preferably of about 7 to 15%, at final product state. For example, the aerosol-generating material may be a homogenised tobacco material with a moisture of about 5 to 25%, preferably of about 7 to 15%, at final product state. The aerosol-generating material may comprise Cellulose fibres. For example, the aerosol-generating material may comprise about 1 to 15% of cellulose fibres, preferably of about 3 to 7% of cellulose fibres. Preferably, cellulose fibres may have a length of about 10 to 250 pm, preferably of about 10 to 120 pm.

[0180] The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder. For example, The aerosol-generating material may comprise about 1 to 10%, preferably of about 1 to 5%, of a binder such as any of common gums or pectins used in food and beverage (F&B) industries. Preferred binders may be natural pectins, such as fruit, for example citrus, or tobacco pectins; guar gums, land locust bean gums, such as hydroxyethyl and / or hydroxypropyl of those; starches, such as modified or derivatized starches; alginate; methyl, ethyl, ethylhydroxymethyl and carboxy methyl, celluloses; dextran; and xanthan gum. A preferable binder is guar. The binder may be a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH).

[0181] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more botanicals. For example, the aerosolgenerating material may comprise about 15 to 55 %, preferably of about 20 to 35 %, of botanicals such as Clove, Echinacea sp., Fennel, Ginger, Hawthorn berry, Elderberry, Monarda, Mullein leaves, Nettle, Plantain, Turmeric, Yarrow, and compounds of those.

[0182] The aerosol-generating material may comprise particles of a functional material, for example particles of carbon, graphite, activated carbon, or expanded graphite. Such materials may, for example, increase the thermal conductivity of the aerosol-forming material and improve efficiency of aerosol generation.

[0183] The aerosol-forming substrate may be in the form of shreds, strips, strands or extrusions, for example of aerosol-generating material. The shreds, strips, strands or extrusions of aerosol-forming substrate may be aligned along a length direction of the aerosol-generating article. This may facilitate air flow through the aerosol-generating article along the length direction of the article, with the shreds, strips, strands or extrusions of aerosol-forming substrate being aligned substantially in a desired direction of air flow.

[0184] The shreds, strips, stands or extrusions of aerosol-forming substrate may be aligned to extend between the air inlet and the air outlet. This may facilitate air flow through the cavity from the air inlet to the air outlet.

[0185] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise or consist of tobacco, for example shreds, strips, stands or extrusions of cut filler.

[0186] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise or consist of non-tobacco material, for example shredded non-tobacco plant material.

[0187] An aerosol-forming substrate located in the cavity of an aerosol-generating article may be in the form of beads, for example beads of an aerosol-forming material. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate being in the form of a plurality of discrete, preferably free-flowing, beads having an average particle diameter of between 0.1 mm and 4 mm, for example between 0.5 mm and 4 mm. The plurality of discrete, free-flowing, beads may have an average particle size of between 1 mm and 2 mm.

[0188] The first external surface and the second external surface may be described as being opposing external surfaces.

[0189] The term “bead” refers to a discrete, solid particle formed of the aerosol-generating substrate. A bead may have a rounded, typically spherical, form. Other terms may be used to define the substrate such as, for example, “granule”.

[0190] The aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a plurality of beads, preferably a plurality of beads having the specific average particle diameter of between 0.1 mm and 4 mm, for example between 0.5 mm and 4 mm, or between 1 mm and 2 mm. This provides so advantages. Beads can be easily handled compared to other aerosol-forming substrates such as fine powders or cut filler. The beads flow easily, and so can reliably and consistently fill the cavity of the aerosol-generating article during manufacture. This may allow a consistent and reproducible amount of aerosol-forming substrate to be loaded into each article during manufacture. Beads may also be cleaner to handle than powders and cut fillers, which may cause dust in factories, and may leak from aerosol-generating articles in transit or in use. By selecting beads with appropriate bead sizes and appropriate particle size distributions, air flow through the cavity of the aerosolgenerating article may be controlled more reproducibly than would be the case for, say, a cut filler substrate.

[0191] Where a particle is not perfectly spherical, but a diameter of the particle is referred to, the term “diameter” may refer to a largest dimension of the particle. Alternatively, the term “diameter” may refer to the diameter of a perfectly spherical particle having the same volume as the not perfectly spherical particle.

[0192] The term “average particle diameter”, as used herein, may refer to a number average particle diameter. Other methods of determining average particle diameter are known. Thus, the average particle diameter may be, for example, a volume average particle diameter.

[0193] Unless otherwise mentioned, values given for average particle diameters in this specification refer to a “number average particle diameter”. Specifically, a “number average particle diameter” is calculated as a sum of the diameters of the particles in a group divided by the number of particles in the group. Mathematically, this can be expressed as:

[0194] In the above equation, N is the total number of particles, and Dnis the diameter of the nthparticle.

[0195] Each of the plurality of beads may be defined in terms of a maximum dimension (dmax) and a minimum dimension (dmin). Preferably, the plurality of beads has an average dmax of less than 4 mm, for example less than 3 mm. Preferably, the plurality of beads has an average dmin of greater than 0.5 mm, for example greater than 0.75 mm. The bead dimensions are selected such that the beads flow easily and such that the volume of the beads is not so great that volatile components cannot be substantially completely liberated from each bead on heating for a short duration of time. The beads may be substantially spherical. The beads may be non-spherical, but in this case, they are preferably of low aspect ratio, for example ovoid, such that the beads still flow easily.

[0196] The plurality of beads may have an average diameter of between of between 0.75 mm and 2.5 mm, for example between 1 mm and 2 mm, for example about 1 .5 mm or about 1 .7 mm, or about 2 mm.

[0197] The plurality of beads may have a particle size distribution defined by a D10 diameter and a D90 diameter. The D10 diameter may be greater than 0.5 mm, for example greater than 0.75 mm. The D90 diameter may be less than 4 mm, for example less than 3 mm. The size distribution may be a relatively narrow size distribution. This may facilitate the provision of a consistent amount of aerosol-forming substrate in each article by helping to prevent settling and clumping within the plurality of beads. Thus, the plurality of beads may have a particle size distribution defined by a D10 diameter and a D90 diameter, in which the D10 diameter is within 25 % of the value of the D90 diameter.

[0198] Optionally, the plurality of beads has a dmax value, the dmax being the distance of the longest axis of the bead, of between of between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, for example between 0.75 mm and 2.5 mm, for example between 1 mm and 2 mm, for example about 1 .5 mm or about 1 .7 mm, or about 2 mm. Optionally, the plurality of beads has a dmin value, the dmin being the distance of the shortest axis of the particle, of between of between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, for example between 0.75 mm and 2.5 mm, for example between 1 mm and 2 mm, for example about 1 .5 mm or about 1 .7 mm, or about 2 mm.

[0199] The plurality of beads may be substantially spherical beads. Alternatively, non-spherical shapes of beads may be used, such as ovoid or ellipsoid beads.

[0200] The plurality of beads may have a bimodal size distribution. For example, the plurality of beads comprises a first phase of beads having a first average diameter and a second phase having a second average diameter different to the first phase. The first phase and the second phase are distinct phases within the plurality of beads. The first phase may have a different size distribution to the second phase. Such a bimodal distribution may allow beads of the phase with the smaller average particle size to settle within interstices formed by the phase having the larger average particle size. The use of a bimodal distribution may preserve benefits associated with an aerosol-forming substrate in the form of beads, for example easy handling and free flowing, while allowing a greater packing density of the aerosol-forming substrate within the cavity than would otherwise be possible with a narrow unimodal distribution of bead sizes.

[0201] Optionally, the first phase of beads may have an average dmax of less than 3 mm and an average dmin of greater than 1 .75 mm, and the second phase of beads has an average dmax of less than 1 .25 mm and an average dmin of greater than 0.5 mm.

[0202] The plurality of beads preferably comprises plant material, for example tobacco. The plant material may be in the form of plant particles, that is small fragments of plant material, such as powdered plant material. The plurality of beads preferably comprises a binder, for example one or more hydrocolloid binders.

[0203] The plurality of beads preferably comprises an aerosol-former, for example an aerosol former selected from the list consisting of glycerine and propylene glycol. The aerosol-forming particles may have an aerosol-former content of at least 10 wt % on a dry weight basis, for example an aerosol-former content of greater than 20 wt % on a dry weight basis, for example greater than 25 wt %, or greater than 30 wt %, for example greater than 35 wt %. The plurality of beads may comprise one or more flavour compounds.

[0204] The plurality of beads may be formed by a process comprising steps of powder sphered ising particles of aerosol-forming material, for example spherodising particles of tobacco, preferably in combination with a binder. Spherodising processes are highly controllable and may produce beads that are substantially spherical and of controlled and consistent particle dimensions.

[0205] The plurality of beads may be formed by a process in which a dough of aerosol-forming material is formed and extruded and cut to for individual particles. These particles may then be spheronized and dried to for substantially spherical beads suitable for used in articles according to the invention.

[0206] The plurality of beads may comprise at least 60 percent by weight of plant particles, for example at least 65 percent by weight of the plant particles, for example at least 70 percent by weight of the plant particles, for example at least 75 percent by weight of the plant particles, on a dry weight basis. The plurality of beads may comprise less than or equal to 95 percent by weight of the plant particles, for example less than or equal to 90 percent by weight of the plant particles, for example less than or equal to 85 percent by weight of the plant particles, on a dry weight basis.

[0207] Preferably, the cavity comprises between 50 mg and 300 mg of the plurality of beads, for example between 100 mg and 200 mg, for example between 125 mg and 175 mg, for example between 140 mg and 160 mg, for example about 140 mg, or about 150 mg or about 160 mg. By selecting beads of appropriate particle size and distribution, utilisation of aerosol-forming compounds within the beads may be optimised, allowing a relatively low mass of the beads in each aerosol-forming article.

[0208] Preferably, the cavity contains between 50% and 85% of the plurality of beads by volume. The cavity may contain the plurality of beads and between 15% and 50% free space. The cavity may contain a further component such as a corrugated element in addition to the plurality of beads.

[0209] In some examples and embodiments of aerosol-generating articles according to the present disclosure an aerosol-generating element is located within the cavity. For example, an aerosol-generating element comprising aerosol-forming substrate and being defined by an element length, an element width, and an element thickness, the element width being greaterthan the element thickness, in which the aerosolgenerating element comprises cut filler dispersed within a solid binder matrix.

[0210] The aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating element comprises, or is, aerosol-forming material. The aerosol-generating element may be the only source of aerosol-forming substrate within the article, or there may be other portions of the article that also comprise aerosol-forming substrate.

[0211] Cut filler may be a convenient source of aerosol-forming material, but is difficult to handle cleanly and tends to undergo localised consolidations. When loading an aerosol-generating article, particularly with low doses of cut filler material, there may be significant variation in the dose provided from article to article. The use of an aerosol-generating element comprising cut filler dispersed within a solid binder matrix allows an accurate quantity or dose of aerosol-forming material to be located within the aerosol-generating article, which in turn allows for consistency in dose of aerosol-forming material from article to article. An aerosolgenerating element comprising cut filler dispersed within a solid matrix may also be cleaner to handle than loose cut filler. Particles of loose cut filler are likely to contaminate machinery and factories in the form of dust and debris. By binding the cut filler together in the form of an aerosol-generating element, the problems associated with cut filler particles contaminating machinery and factories is reduced or eliminated. As well as cleanliness, there may also be less wastage of cut filler material.

[0212] Furthermore, particles of loose cut filler may easily be removed from an aerosol-generating article during transportation or use. Loose particles of cut filler may, for example, escape from the article via airflow inlets or outlets. The use of an aerosol-generating element comprising cut filler an a binder reduces, or eliminates, the problem of aerosol-generating material escaping from the aerosol-generating article.

[0213] The cut filler may comprise shredded plant material. Advantageously, the use of cut filler comprising shredded plant material may minimise the processing of the plant material that is required during the production of the aerosol-generating element. In particular, the use of cut filler comprising shredded plant material minimises the amount of water required for the production of the aerosol-generating element and also minimises the required drying time compared to processes for producing other aerosol-generating substrates which use plant material in a different form, such as a reconstituted form. The production of such an aerosol-generating element may therefore be carried out in an energy and cost efficient manner.

[0214] The production of a consistent airflow and resistance to draw may be desirable for an aerosolgenerating article if the user experience and aerosol-delivery are to remain constant. Loose cut filler inserted into a cavity may have variations in air flow and resistance to draw caused by, for example, settling or conglomeration of the loose cut filler particles. In using an aerosol-generating element as described herein, the relative dimensions of the aerosol-generating element and the cavity may be controlled to provide desired and consistently reproducible air flow. The aerosol-generating element may be fixed within the cavity, for example fixed by adhesion or fixed by mechanical means such as interference with one or more walls of the cavity. By fixing the aerosolgenerating article within the cavity, any risk of the aerosol-generating element moving within the cavity and blocking or restricting airflow through the cavity is minimised.

[0215] The cavity is defined by internal dimensions, for example a cavity length, a cavity width, and a cavity height. Cavity height may also be termed cavity thickness. Preferably, the cavity width is greater than the cavity height / thickness.

[0216] Aerosol-generating devices for use with aerosol-generating articles

[0217] Aerosol-forming or aerosol-generating devices are typically designed as handheld devices that can be used by a user for consuming or experiencing, for instance in one or more usage sessions, aerosol generated from an aerosol-forming substrate or an aerosol-forming article, for example by heating. The aerosol-forming devices the present disclosure pertains to are mainly directed to the field of tobacco and tobacco-substitute products, as well as e-vapor devices, for example heated tobacco products (HTP), heat- not-burn devices, electronic cigarettes, e-vapor devices, and / or vaporizers. The aerosol-forming devices of the present disclosure may also pertain to other types of inhalers, dispensers, or atomizers, for example inhalers, dispensers, or atomizers for medical applications.

[0218] Typical aerosol-forming systems can be designed as one-part systems or devices including an aerosol-forming device that can be operated by a user to generate aerosol. Alternatively, aerosol-forming systems can be designed as two-part systems or devices comprising an aerosol-forming device and a companion device for storing and / or charging the aerosol-forming device. In either design or configuration, the aerosol-forming system or device can be used by a user for consuming or inhaling, for instance in one or more usage sessions, aerosol generated based on heating an aerosol-forming article or substrate couplable to the aerosol-forming system. In the context of the present disclosure, an aerosol-forming device can refer to both a one-part device and a two-part device, unless explicitly specified otherwise.

[0219] The aerosol-forming article, also referred to as aerosol-generating article, can comprise an aerosolgenerating or aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco or nicotine-containing substrate. The aerosolforming article may be configured in shape and size to be inserted at least partially into the aerosol-forming device or system. In conventional systems or devices, the aerosol-forming article is usually formed as a stick that can be at least partly inserted into a cavity or heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device for aerosol consumption. Insertion of the stick-like shaped aerosol-forming article into the cavity, however, can potentially damage the aerosol-forming article, which may potentially affect an experience for a user, for example in terms of taste or homogeneity of the experience. Also, inserting the aerosol-forming article into and removing it from the cavity of conventional systems may, at least for some users or in certain scenarios, be cumbersome.

[0220] Exemplary aerosol-forming substrates can comprise solid substrate material, such as tobacco material or tobacco cast leaves (TCL) material. The substrate material can, for example, be assembled, often with other elements or components, to form a substantially stick-shaped aerosol-forming article. Such a stick or aerosol-forming article can be configured in shape and size to be inserted at least partially into the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may comprise a heating element or heater device for heating the aerosol-forming article and / or the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element or heater device may be part of the aerosol-forming article and / or the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively or additionally, aerosol-forming substrates can comprise one or more liquids and / or solids, which can, for example, be supplied to the aerosol-forming device in the form of a cartridge or container. Corresponding exemplary aerosol-forming articles can, for example, comprise a cartridge containing or fillable with the liquid and / or solid substrate, which can be vaporized during aerosol consumption by the user based on heating the substrate and / or liquid. Usually, such cartridge or container can be coupled to, attached to or at least partially inserted into the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively, the cartridge may be fixedly mounted to the aerosol-forming device and refilled by inserting liquid and / or solid into the cartridge. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate or article may comprise or include one or more of nicotine, aroma, sugar, moisturizing agent, botanicals, preservative, flavouring, for example cocoa, liquorice, menthol and lactic acid or other additives. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate or article may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more pharmaceutical agents or drugs and may include one or more adjuvants.

[0221] For generating the aerosol during use or consumption, heat can be supplied by a heating element, heater device or heat source to heat at least a portion or part of the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element, heater device or heat source can be arranged in the handheld device or a handheld part of the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively or additionally, at least a part of orthe entire heating element or heater device or heat source can be fixedly associated with or arranged within an aerosol-forming article, for instance in the form of a stick or cartridge, which can be attached to and / or powered by the handheld device or handheld part of the aerosol-forming device.

[0222] Exemplary heating elements or heater devices can be based on one or more of resistive heating, inductive heating and microwave heating using electrical energy supplied via, drawn from or stored in an energy storage or battery of the aerosol-forming device. As used herein, a battery of the aerosol-forming device can generally refer to an energy storage of the aerosol-forming device configured to store electrical energy. Accordingly, the term energy storage can include one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, one or more accumulators or other types of energy storage. Also, any reference to a battery herein can include a plurality of batteries.

[0223] Typically, aerosol-forming devices comprise an energy storage, for example a battery, providing the electrical energy needed to operate the aerosol-forming device and especially for heating the aerosolforming substrate and / or article, for example to generate aerosol in one or more usage sessions using one or more aerosol-forming articles. The battery may, for example, be a lithium-ion battery.

[0224] As used herein, a usage session may refer to a period of time, during which a user may use the device to generate, consume, experience or inhale aerosol using the aerosol-forming device. Therein, a usage session may be finite. In other words, a usage session may have a start, an end and a duration. The duration of the usage session as measured by time may be influenced by use during the usage session. The duration of the usage session may have a maximum duration determined by a maximum time from the start of the usage session. The duration of the usage session may be less than the maximum time if one or more monitored parameters reaches a predetermined threshold before the maximum time from the start of the usage session. By way of example, the one or more monitored parameters may comprise one or more of: i) a cumulative puff count of a series of puffs drawn by a user since the start of the usage session, and ii) a cumulative volume of aerosol evolved from the aerosol-forming substrate since the start of the usage session.

[0225] The sticks used as aerosol-forming articles may be predominantly based on cylindrical rod-shape embodiments, following the traditional concepts from conventional tobacco containing products (TCP), and its manufacturing, for example rod-making technologies. Cylindrical rod-shape consumables may be designed for use with devices having tubular cavities, which may use several heating technologies (induction and resistive are common, and there also exists infra-red heating, microwave heating, etc) to generate a heated temperature profile for aerosolization of the consumable. The cylindrical consumable geometry, however, may result in non-uniform heat distribution along the radial direction of its cross section. This, in turn, may negatively influence the aerosol quality provided by these devices and may also lead to non-uniform and incomplete depletion of the aerosol-forming article, i.e. a waste of substrate.

[0226] It may therefore be desirable to provide for an improved aerosol-forming device and system, which overcomes or at least mitigates the drawbacks of conventional systems, for example which allows for safe insertion of an aerosol-forming article into and / or removal from an aerosol-forming device. For example, it may be desirable to provide for an improved aerosol-forming device using an improved aerosol-forming article, ensuring a more uniform heat distribution in the aerosol-forming article and improving aerosol quality and user experience.

[0227] These advantages may be achieved by the features described herein.

[0228] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an aerosol-forming device, an aerosol-forming system, use of such system and / or device, and to a method of loading an aerosol-forming article into an aerosolforming device. It is noted that any disclosure presented herein with reference to one or an aspect of the present disclosure, equally applies to any other aspect of the present disclosure, unless explicitly stated otherwise. In particular, it is emphasized that any disclosure presented herein with respect to an aerosolforming device equally applies to an aerosol-forming system comprising such aerosol-forming device and an aerosol-forming article, and optionally comprising a companion device configured to charge the aerosolforming device with electrical energy and / or store the aerosol-forming device.

[0229] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces or surfaces, which may also be referred to as the large surfaces, two opposing side faces or surfaces, also referred to herein as lateral faces or surfaces, and two opposing end faces or surfaces. The aerosol-forming article includes an aerosol-forming substrate arranged between the opposing main faces. The aerosol-forming device comprises a main air inlet for receiving an airflow from an outside. The outside may refer to an exterior environment or surrounding of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a downstream element removably or fixedly attachable to a mouthpiece of the aerosol-forming device, wherein the downstream element includes a downstream air channel. The downstream element may also be referred to herein as second housing part or as mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a device body, also referred to herein as body portion or first housing part of the aerosol-forming device, wherein the body part includes a heating chamber, which defines an insertion direction for at least partly inserting an aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a first air path structure with two parallelly arranged first air channels fluidically connected or coupled to the main air inlet, the first air channels running in parallel to the heating chamber on two opposing sides thereof. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a second air path structure arranged and / or configured to redirect the air flow from the two parallelly arranged first air channels to a centre axis of the aerosol forming device. The centre axis (also referred to as central axis) may be coaxial to or define a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a centre upstream air channel for flu id ica lly connecting the second airpath structure with an upstream inlet of the aerosol-forming article. The upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article may also be referred to herein as air inlet or inlet of the aerosol-forming device.

[0230] The configuration and design of the aerosol-forming device with main air inlet or device air inlet, the downstream element, the first and second airpath structures, and the centre upstream air channel can advantageously allow to draw fresh air into the device, which may result in an airflow passing through the aerosol-forming article to enrich the air or airflow with aerosol generated, for example, based on heating the aerosol-forming article in the heating chamber. The airflow path or channel of the device will be described in more detail in the Figures, making reference to several airflow path portions. However, this terminology is used for explanatory purposes only and refers to the same airflow path described here and in other parts of the present disclosure.

[0231] As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" may describe the relative positions of components or elements of the aerosol-forming device in relation to the direction of the airflow, for example, an airflow through the aerosol-generating article. The airflow through the article may refer to the flow through the article, when placed in the aerosol-generating device. The airflow through the aerosol-forming article may be substantially directed along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device and / or article. The airflow through the aerosol-forming article may, for example, correspond to a net airflow through the aerosol-forming device.

[0232] As used herein, “upstream” may refer to a location that comes before a particular point of reference in the direction of the airflow. For example, an upstream part or element of the device may refer to a part or element where the air comes from before reaching the reference point. As used herein, “downstream” may refer to a location that comes after a particular point of reference in the direction of the airflow. For example, a downstream part or element of the device may refer to a part or element where the air goes or flows after leaving the reference point.

[0233] The aerosol-forming device may have a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and a normal axis, each being transverse, in particular orthogonal, to each other. The longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or may extend from a proximal end or portion towards a distal end or portion of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the proximal end or portion may be associated with a mouthpiece portion or mouthpiece that is contacted by a user’s mouth during aerosol generation or consumption. The longitudinal axis may be coaxial to or define a center axis and / or an insertion axis of the aerosol-forming device. Unless otherwise stated, a reference to a longitudinal axis may mean the center axis or longitudinal center axis. A transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the transverse axis, and a normal direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the normal axis. When the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device are both arranged, oriented or aligned in a horizontal plane, the normal axis of the aerosol-forming device defines a vertical axis of the aerosol-forming device. Therefore, the normal axis or direction may also be referred to herein as vertical axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device.

[0234] The longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the heating chamber. The transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a transverse axis of the heating chamber. The normal axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a normal axis of the heating chamber. Accordingly, at least when the aerosol-forming article is at least partly inserted in the heating chamber, the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming article. The transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a transverse axis of the aerosol-forming article. The normal axis of the aerosol-forming device may define or be coaxial to a normal axis of the aerosol-forming article.

[0235] An extension, length or size of the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and / or the aerosolforming article may be longer in longitudinal direction than in directions transverse, for example orthogonal, thereto. Specifically, the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and / or the aerosol-forming article, respectively, may have a length measured along the longitudinal direction or axis, a width measured along the transverse direction or axis, and a thickness or height measured along the normal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and / or the aerosol-forming article, respectively. Accordingly, the transverse axis may also be referred to herein as width axis, and the transverse direction may also be referred to herein as width direction. Further, the normal axis may also be referred to herein as height or thickness axis, and the normal direction may also be referred to herein as height or thickness direction of the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and / or the aerosol-forming article, respectively.

[0236] It is noted that any dimension size or extension, such the length, width, thickness and height of one or more of the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and / or the aerosol-forming article can refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance measured along the respective direction (e.g., longitudinal direction, transverse direction, normal direction) between two points, sides or ends of the aerosol-forming device, the heating chamber and / or the aerosol-forming article.

[0237] For example, the length of the aerosol-forming device may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two ends or end surfaces of the aerosol-forming device opposing each other in longitudinal direction. The width of the aerosol-forming device may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two lateral surfaces or sides of the aerosol-forming device opposing each other in transverse direction. The height or thickness of the aerosol-forming device may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two main surfaces or sides of the aerosol-forming device opposing each other in normal direction.

[0238] The length of the aerosol-forming article may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two ends or end surfaces of the aerosol-forming article opposing each other in longitudinal direction. The width of the aerosol-forming article may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two lateral surfaces or sides of the aerosol-forming article opposing each other in transverse direction. The height or thickness of the aerosol-forming article may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two main surfaces or sides of the aerosol-forming article opposing each other in normal direction.

[0239] The length of the heating chamber may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two ends or end surfaces of the heating chamber opposing each other in longitudinal direction. The width of the heating chamber may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two lateral surfaces or sides of the heating chamber opposing each other in transverse direction. The height or thickness of the heating chamber may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance between two main surfaces or sides of the heating chamber opposing each other in normal direction. Further, the longitudinal direction may define and / or may be parallel to an insertion direction, along which the aerosol-forming article may be inserted into the heating chamber. Accordingly, the longitudinal axis may define and / or may be parallel to an insertion axis.

[0240] For example, the aerosol-forming article may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming article may be plate-like or cuboid formed. The aerosolforming article may comprise two opposing main surfaces, which may be substantially flat. When the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device, a surface normal vector of the two opposing main surfaces may be parallel to the normal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Further, the aerosol-forming article may comprise two end faces or surfaces, in particular substantially flat end faces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device. The two end faces or surfaces may form the smallest surfaces of the aerosol-forming article. Moreover, the aerosol-forming article may comprise two lateral faces, in particular substantially flat lateral faces or surfaces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, each of the lateral faces of the aerosol-forming article may have a surface normal vector substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device.

[0241] The heating chamber may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The heating chamber may comprise two opposing main surfaces, which may be substantially flat. A surface normal vector of the two opposing main surfaces may be parallel to the normal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Further, the heating chamber may comprise two end faces or surfaces, in particular substantially flat end faces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The two end faces or surfaces may form the smallest surfaces of the heating chamber. It is noted that these surfaces or faces may refer to an open volume provided by the heating chamber. For example, at least one of the end faces or surfaces may be an open end, for example defining an insertion opening for the aerosol-forming article. Moreover, the heating chamber may comprise two lateral faces, in particular substantially flat lateral faces or surfaces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, each of the lateral faces of the heating chamber may have a surface normal vector substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device.

[0242] The downstream element of the aerosol-forming device, respectively, the second housing part or mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-forming device, may be slidably attached or coupled to the device body, such that the downstream element is movable, for example relative to the body part, from an open position to a use position, wherein in the use position, at least one or a plurality of air gaps is formed between the mouthpiece and the device body serving as the main air inlet or device air inlet. The downstream element and the device body may be moved or displaced relative to each other along the longitudinal direction or parallel to the longitudinal axis between the open position and the use position.

[0243] The use position and the open position of the aerosol-forming device may generally refer to two different configurations of the aerosol-forming device. Also, the terms open position and closed position may be used herein with reference to one or more elements or components of the aerosol-forming device, thereby describing different configurations of said components or elements. For example, between the open position and the use position, the device body (also referred to herein as first housing part) may be moved or displaced relative to a mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-forming device. The mouthpiece portion is also referred to herein as second housing part of the aerosol-forming device. The device body may be moved relative to the mouthpiece portion or the second housing part, for example parallel to the longitudinal axis or along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device being in the open position, respectively, being in the closed position, may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein with the device body and / or second mouthpiece portion being in the open position, respectively, being in the closed position.

[0244] In the use position, the heating chamber may be closed and / or covered by the mouthpiece portion and / or the device body. Accordingly, the heating chamber may not be accessible, respectively, may be inaccessible for a user to insert the aerosol-forming article or remove it therefrom. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming article may only be inserted into the heating chamber when the device body and / or the mouthpiece portion are displaced or moved relative to each other out of the use position, for example are displaced towards the open position. Optionally, generation of aerosol may only be allowed in the use position.

[0245] In the open position, the heating chamber may be accessible, for example for inserting an aerosolforming article into or removing it from the heating chamber.

[0246] A relative displacement or movement of the device body and the mouthpiece portion from the open position towards or into the use position may referto a displacement or movement of the mouthpiece portion from a proximal end towards a distal end of the aerosol-forming device, and / or may refer to a displacement or movement of the device body from a distal end towards a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, the first housing part and the second housing part may be moved or displaced towards each other, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, when moving the first housing part and the second housing part from the open position towards or into the use position. Alternatively or additionally, the first housing part and the second housing part may be moved or displaced away from each other, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, when moving first housing part and the second housing part from the use position towards or into the open position.

[0247] The second airpath structure may include a backplate arranged at a distal end of the heating chamber, the backplate separating the heating chamber from a fluidic connection provided by the second air path structure, the backplate including two traversing openings to provide a fluidic connection of the second airpath structure with the two parallelly arranged first air channels.

[0248] As used herein, the terms “distal” and “proximal” are used to describe the locations of components or elements in relation to a user holding or using the aerosol-generating device, for example using the aerosol-forming device to consume or inhale aerosol. Therein, “distal” can refer to a location or element that is farther away from the user, and “proximal” can refer to a location or element that is closer to the user.

[0249] The fluidic connection of the second air path structure may provide for two linear fluidic pathways from a side wall towards a centre axis of the device. In other words, the fluidic connection of the second air path structure may comprise two linear fluidic pathways from a side wall towards a centre axis of the device. Accordingly, air or an airflow through the second fluidic air path structure may flow from a side wall towards the centre axis of the aerosol-forming device. In an example, the aerosol-forming device may further comprise a resistive heater element constituting a convective heater extending along the two linear fluidic pathways for heating the airflow passing through the second airpath structure. Accordingly, air flowing through the two linear fluidic pathways may be guided along or may pass the resistive heater element, such that the air may be heated and / or a temperature of the air may be increased. The resistive heater element may provide a pre-heating advantageously allowing to pass pre-heated or heated air through the aerosol-forming article. As will be explained below, the resistive heater elements may allow flash heating and heating on demand, i.e. puffbased heating. This may potentially reduce an amount of energy required for heating the aerosol-forming article to actually generate aerosol.

[0250] The two parallelly arranged first air channels may be arranged to not fluidically connect with the heating chamber. Accordingly, the two parallelly arranged first air channels may be fluidically decoupled or isolated from the heating chamber. Further, the two parallelly arranged first air channels may have first air inlets at a proximal end of the device body, the first air inlets being fluidically connected to the main air inlet.

[0251] The two parallelly arranged first air channels may be arranged between an inner heater casing that forms the heating chamber, and an outer insulation casing or insulating casing that at least partially encapsules the heater casing. For example, the inner heating casing and the outer insulating casing may be spaced apart from each other, thereby defining the two parallelly arranged first air channels.

[0252] The heating chamber may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the two parallelly arranged first air channels may be arranged along the small side faces of the heating chamber, also referred to herein as lateral faces of the heating chamber. For example, the two parallelly arranged first air channels may be provided by or as grooves in the small side faces of the heating chamber. Additionally or alternatively, the two parallelly arranged first air channels or additional channels may be arranged along the main faces or surfaces of the heating chamber, for example as gap between the heater casing and the insulation casing.

[0253] In an example, the centre upstream air channel for fluidically connecting the second airpath structure with the upstream inlet of the aerosol-forming article may include a convective heater or convective heater assembly for heating the airflow, the convective heater forming an air path at or near the centre or centre axis, for example parallel to the insertion direction. The convective heater may be or may comprise the resistive heating element as already mentioned. The convective heater may provide a pre-heating advantageously allowing air to pass therethrough to increase a temperature of the air. This may potentially reduce an amount of energy required for heating the aerosol-forming article to actually generate aerosol.

[0254] In an exemplary configuration, the centre upstream air channel may include a slit-like shape. In other words, the centre upstream air channel may be slit-like formed.

[0255] The second air path structure may be arranged to redirect the airflow from the two parallelly arranged first air channels to the centre upstream air channel, to pass or guide the air through the convective heater assembly.

[0256] The first air inlets may be arranged and / or configured as air passages that are open towards the heating chamber. Therein, the air passages may define or include a flow area, for example given by a cross-sectional area of the air passages. The first air inlets may be arranged at the small side faces or lateral faces of the heating chamber, such that presence of the aerosol-forming article defines or creates a resistance-to-draw of the flow path with the defined flow area of the air passages. The two parallelly arranged first air channels may be arranged to flu idically connect with the heating chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the two parallelly arranged first air channels may be open towards the heating chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the two parallelly arranged first air channels may be arranged or may extend along the small side faces or lateral faces of the heating chamber.

[0257] The two parallelly arranged first air channels may each have a first air inlet at the proximal end of the device body, the first air inlet forming a cavity having a funnel or wedge-type shape.

[0258] An insertion of the aerosol-forming article to or into the heating chamber may close a side of the first air channels, such that the air flows past the small side faces or lateral faces of the aerosol-forming article.

[0259] The downstream element may have a downstream air channel arranged along the centre axis of the aerosol-forming device in parallel to an insertion direction for inserting an aerosol-forming article. The downstream element and / orthe aerosol-forming article may further comprise a nucleation chamber in fluidic connection with the downstream air channel.

[0260] In an example, the nucleation chamber may comprise at least one air inlet or separate air inlet. Via the air inlet and / or separate air inlet, fresh air or surrounding air may be drawn into the nucleation chamber, and the drawn air may mix with the air in the nucleation chamber. Such mixing with fresh air in the nucleation chamber may advantageously improve aerosol quality and taste.

[0261] In an exemplary configuration, the at least one air inlet and / or the at least one separate air inlet may be fluidically connected or coupled to the main air inlet. Accordingly, via the main air inlet, fresh air may be drawn through the air inlet and / or separate air inlet of the nucleation chamber into the nucleation chamber. This may allow to avoid obstruction of only one of the first or second airflow branches separately, as either both are obstructed, or none. This may in turn simplify the recognition and therefore elimination of an obstruction. Also, the arrangement of the airflow paths in this way is very compact and space saving. This may allow to avoid obstruction of only one of the first or second airflow branches separately, as either both are obstructed, or none. This may in turn simplify the recognition and therefore elimination of an obstruction. Also, the arrangement of the airflow paths in this way may be compact and space saving. Alternatively, however, the air inlet and / or separate air inlet of the nucleation chamber may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to the outside or exterior environment via another opening or inlet.

[0262] In an example, the aerosol-forming device may be connected to an outside or exterior environment only via the main air inlet. Accordingly, only via the main air inlet fresh air, for example ambient air, may be drawn from the outside or exterior environment of the aerosol-forming device.

[0263] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fluidic interconnection element for an aerosol-forming device, wherein the fluidic interconnection element may be configured to provide for a fluidic connection between the aerosol-forming device and an aerosol-forming article insertable into and / or removable from the aerosol-forming device. The fluidic interconnection element, as used herein, may refer to an element or component for fluidically connecting and / or coupling the aerosol-forming device and an aerosol-forming article. The fluidic interconnection element may provide an at least partly fluid-tight sealing between the aerosol-forming device and an aerosol-forming article. The fluidic interconnection element may also be referred to herein as sealing member or element. The terminology of “sealing member”, however, does not imply a complete sealing or complete fluid-tight seal between the aerosolforming device and the aerosol-forming article.

[0264] The fluidic interconnection element comprises a blade structure surrounding, enclosing or encompassing a flow path defining a central axis of the fluidic interconnection element. The central axis of the fluidic interconnection element may be coaxial with a central axis of the aerosol-forming device, when the fluidic interconnection element is mounted to or arranged in an aerosol-forming device. The blade structure has or includes a first end configured to face a fluidic opening of an aerosol-forming article, and a second end configured to provide a fluidic connection to another element of the aerosol-forming device, wherein an outer wall of the blade structure has a sloped or tapered shape thereby increasing a thickness of the blade structure in a direction from the first end to the second end.

[0265] When the blade structure is at least partly inserted into the aerosol-forming article, for example by penetrating a frame of the article, the sloped ortapered shape of the blade structure may lead to the material of the frame of the article being pushed or compressed radially to the outside, away from the fluidic opening or airflow path. By means of the sloped or tapered shape, it may be thus ensured that a cross-section of the fluidic opening of the aerosol-forming article is not decreased and / or that the fluidic opening is kept open.

[0266] The fluidic interconnection element may further comprise a backplate, which the blade structure is mounted to, or which the blade structure is integrally formed with, wherein the flow path of the blade structure traverses or passes through the backplate. The fluidic interconnection element and / or the second end thereof may be configured to provide a fluidic connection to the backplate.

[0267] In an example, a first end edge or blade edge of the blade structure may be formed to extend in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis of the flow path, which may be coaxial or at least parallel to a central or centre axis of the aerosol-forming device.

[0268] The first end edge of the blade structure may, for example, have a flat first end surface having a width or extension of about 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm, more preferably a width of about 0.03mm to 0.15 mm. The width or extension of the flat first end surface may be measured in a direction transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the central axis. In other words, the width or extension of the flat first end surface may describe the sharpness of the blade edge.

[0269] In an example, the sloped shape of the outer wall of the blade structure may include a concave shape. In other words, the sloped shape of the blade structure may be concavely shaped and / or may be curved towards the central axis.

[0270] The concave shape of the outer wall may, at one end thereof, be formed to be flush with the first end of the outer wall, and optionally may be parallel to the central axis, thereby defining the blade edge. Further, the concave shape of the outer wall may, at another end, for example an opposite end, be formed to be flush with a first surface of the backplate.

[0271] An inner wall of the blade structure may form the or part of the flow path, which may be parallel to the central axis of the blade structure and / or the fluidic interconnection element.

[0272] Further, the inner wall of the blade structure may be formed to have no fluidic obstructions. Accordingly, air may flow therethrough without obstructions. Thus, the inner wall of the blade structure may be smooth and / or parallel to the central axis of the blade structure and / orthe fluidic interconnection element.

[0273] In an example, the inner wall of the blade structure forming the flow path may have a length in a range between 2 mm and 15 mm, more preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm. The length may be measured along or parallel to the central axis of the blade structure and / or the fluidic interconnection element.

[0274] The blade structure may be traversed laterally by at least one, two or more lateral flow paths, forming a nucleation chamber inside the flow path. In other words, one, two or more lateral flow paths may laterally pass through the blade structure, thereby forming the nucleation chamber inside the blade structure or the fluidic interconnection element.

[0275] A cross-sectional area of the flow path as seen or measured in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis has a longitudinal extension.

[0276] For instance, the cross-sectional area may have one of a rectangular shape or an oval shape.

[0277] In an example, the cross-sectional area of the flow path may have a length along the longitudinal direction, for example parallel to the central axis, in a range between 12 mm and 4 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the cross-sectional area of the flow path may have a height orthickness, for example measured transverse or orthogonal to the longitudinal or central axis, in a range between 0.8 mm and 3 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 2 mm.

[0278] In a further example, the blade structure may protrude from a backplate of the fluidic interconnection element parallel to the central axis in a range between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 0.8 mm and 5 mm. Accordingly, the blade structure may have a length measured along or parallel to the central axis, respectively, the longitudinal axis of aerosol-forming device, in a range between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 0.8 mm and 5 mm.

[0279] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming or aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming device comprises a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article, an upstream airflow path configured to provide air to the aerosol-forming substrate when received in the heating chamber. For example, the upstream airflow path may be configured to guide or pass air through the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming device further comprises an upstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect and / or fluidically couple the upstream airflow path with the aerosolforming article, wherein the upstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a fluidic connection and / or fluidic coupling between the upstream airflow path and the substrate of the aerosol-forming article.

[0280] By means of the blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element cutting or pressing into the wall or frame surrounding the upstream air inlet, a substantially or at least partially sealed or fluid- tight coupling between the upstream airflow path and the substrate of the aerosol-forming article can be ensured or provided.

[0281] A cross-sectional area of an opening provided around an outer edge of the blade structure may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. This may ensure that the cross-sectional area of the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article is not decreased by the blade structure at least partially pressing or cutting into the wall around or surrounding the upstream air inlet. Accordingly, the upstream air inlet may be kept open to let air pass therethrough.

[0282] A cross-sectional area of an opening provided around an outer edge of the blade structure may have one or more of a circular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, and an irregular shape.

[0283] For example, a cross-sectional area of a flow path provided by the blade structure may have a rectangular shape with rounded corners. By means of the rectangular shape with rounded corners obstructions for air flowing therethrough may advantageously be avoided. A material of the blade structure may have a hardness value of at least 70, more preferably at least 80, even more preferably at least 100, even more preferably about 105, on the Rockwell hardness scale, particularly the Rockwell M scale HRM.

[0284] For example, a material of the blade structure may include at least one of metal, ceramic, or a polymer, preferably polyether ether ketone (PEEK). It is noted, though, that also combinations of these materials or other materials, such as composite materials, may be used.

[0285] The upstream fluidic interconnection element with the blade structure and the upstream airflow path may be formed as a unitary or single element. In other words, the upstream fluidic interconnection element may be integrally formed with the blade structure and the upstream airflow path. Hence, a robust fluidic interconnection element with the blade structure and the upstream airflow path may be provided.

[0286] The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a downstream airflow path configured to provide an aerosol from the substrate to an aerosol outlet of the device, for example the mouthpiece, and a downstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect the downstream airflow path with the aerosol-forming article, wherein the downstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall around a downstream air outlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a fluidic connection and / or coupling between the substrate of the aerosol-forming article and the downstream airflow path. The air outlet of the aerosol-forming article may also be referred to herein as aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

[0287] By means of the blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element cutting or pressing into the wall or frame surrounding the downstream air outlet, a substantially or at least partially sealed or fluid-tight coupling between the substrate of the aerosol-forming article and the downstream airflow path can be ensured or provided.

[0288] The downstream fluidic interconnection element, with or including the blade structure, may be in fluidic interconnection with a mouthpiece of the aerosol-forming device, which mouthpiece may be movable relative to the heating chamber by either a rotational movement, a linear movement, or a combination of a rotational and linear movement. Accordingly, air flowing or passing through the downstream fluidic interconnection element with the associated blade structure may flow into the mouthpiece. In other words, the downstream fluidic interconnection element may guide the air or air flow from the aerosol-generating article and the downstream air outlet into the mouthpiece, optionally towards a user’s mouth.

[0289] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming device and a removable aerosol forming article, wherein the aerosol-forming article includes an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein one or more walls forming the air inlet and the air outlet are made of a compressible material for engagement with the upstream fluidic interconnection element and / or for engagement with the downstream fluidic interconnection element. The walls forming the air inlet and the air outlet of the aerosol-forming article may be part of or may constitute the frame of the aerosolforming article and may also be referred to as such. The air outlet may also be referred to herein as aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article. For instance, in direction of an airflow through the aerosol-forming article, which may correspond to or be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, the aerosol-forming article may be arranged between the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element. The downstream fluidic interconnection element may also be referred to as first or top fluidic interconnection element. The upstream fluidic interconnection element may also be referred to as second or bottom fluidic interconnection element. Therein, the air inlet may be fluidically coupled to the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the air or aerosol outlet may be fluidically coupled to the downstream fluidic interconnection element.

[0290] By means of the compressible material in one or more walls or parts of the frame surrounding the air inlet and the air outlet of the aerosol-forming article, a substantially or at least partially sealed or fluid-tight coupling between the aerosol-forming article and both fluidic interconnection elements can be ensured or provided.

[0291] The aerosol-forming article may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, wherein the air inlet and the air outlet may be located opposite of each other on the smallest faces or surfaces of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped aerosol-forming article. The smallest faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article may also be referred to herein as end faces or end surfaces of the aerosolforming article. The air inlet and the air outlet may be arranged opposite to each other and may be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction.

[0292] The upstream fluidic interconnection element may be arranged or positioned such that upon contact of the upstream fluidic interconnection element with a wall or frame of the aerosol-forming article, for example a wall at an end face or surface of the aerosol-forming article, a distance from the outer edge of the blade structure towards a side wall or wall that forms the air inlet is in a range between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably in a range between 0.25 mm and 0.7 mm, more preferably in a range between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm, and even more preferably about 0.4 mm. This may ensure that the air inlet is not reduced in its cross-section when the blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element presses or cuts into the wall of the aerosol-forming article that surrounds the air inlet.

[0293] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming device comprises a downstream airflow path configured to receive aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate, and a downstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect and / or couple to an aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article, wherein the downstream fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around the aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article, to provide for a fluidic connection and / or coupling between the downstream airflow path and the substrate of the aerosol-forming article.

[0294] The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a device body, also referred to herein as body portion or first housing part, the device body having a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion including the downstream airflow path and the downstream fluidic interconnection element.

[0295] The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a mechanism or means for moving the mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion such that the downstream fluidic interconnection element comes into fluid and sealed connection with the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0296] For example, such mechanism may be based on displacing one or more housing parts of the aerosolforming device, for example based on displacing a first housing part relative to a second housing part. Such relative displacement may be along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively or additionally, an actuator may be used to move or displace the mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion. The blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element may be tapered or conical towards a centre axis of the airflow path, such that one or more tapered or conical walls of the blade structure are configured to press against an inner wall forming the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. The centre axis of the airflow path may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aerosolforming device and / or article.

[0297] The blade structure of the upstream fluidic interconnection element may form or comprise a cutting end edge, such that the cutting end edge of the blade structure may be configured to cut into the wall or frame around the upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. The cutting end edge may also be referred to as blade edge or first end edge.

[0298] The blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be tapered or conical towards a centre axis of the airflow path, such that one or more tapered or conical walls of the blade structure are configured to press against an inner wall forming the downstream air outlet of the aerosolforming article. The centre axis of the airflow path may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device and / or article. The downstream air outlet may also be referred to herein as aerosol outlet or downstream aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

[0299] The blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element may form or comprise a cutting end edge, such that the cutting end edge of the blade structure may be configured to cut into the wall or frame around the downstream air outlet of the aerosol-forming article. The cutting end edge may also be referred to as blade edge or first end edge.

[0300] In an example, the blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element may include one or more lateral air inlets. Alternatively or additionally, an interior volume of the blade structure of the downstream fluidic interconnection element may form or comprise a nucleation chamber.

[0301] The downstream fluidic interconnection element may be linearly moveable and / or displaceable relative to an upstream fluidic interconnection element between an open position, in which the heating chamber may be accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article, and a use position for generating an aerosol based on heating of at least a part of the aerosol-forming article.

[0302] The downstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device or transverse thereto. The upstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device or transverse thereto.

[0303] The upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along the same axis, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming. Alternatively, the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along different axes. For example, the first upstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along a first axis and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be displaceable along a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second may be parallel to each or may be skew to each other. In an example, the first axis and the second axis may be parallel to each other and may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device.

[0304] The upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be moved or displaced towards each other, when moving from the open position towards or into the use position. Alternatively or additionally, the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be moved or displaced away from each other, when moving from the use position towards or into the open position.

[0305] The upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be coaxial and / or congruent to each other with regard to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. In other words, the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element, for instance the cross-sections of their airflow paths or channels, may be similarly shaped and similarly arranged relative to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device.

[0306] In the use position, a distance between the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element, for example a distance (e.g. a minimum, mean or maximum distance) measured along the longitudinal direction or axis of the aerosol-forming device, may be in a range between 19.2 mm and 39.2 mm. In the open position, a distance between the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element, for example a distance (e.g. a minimum, mean or maximum distance) measured along the longitudinal direction or axis of the aerosolforming device, may be in a range between 39.2 mm and 89.2 mm.

[0307] The aerosol-forming device may include a mechanism to move or displace the downstream fluidic interconnection element relative to the upstream fluidic interconnection element. For example, a first and second housing part of the device may be displaced relative to each other to displace the downstream fluidic interconnection element relative to the upstream fluidic interconnection element. Alternatively or additionally, an actuator or other mechanism, for example not involving housing parts, may be utilised, such as for example a linear or rotational slider as actuator.

[0308] The upstream fluidic interconnection element may be mechanically coupled to or arranged at a device body or first housing part of the aerosol-forming device. The downstream fluidic interconnection element may be mechanically coupled to or arranged at a mouthpiece portion, second housing part and / or downstream element of the aerosol-forming device. The downstream element, respectively, the mouthpiece portion and / or second housing part of the aerosol-forming device may be slidably attached or coupled to the device body, such that the downstream element is movable from an open position to a use position. By or based on a relative movement or displacement of the device body and the downstream element, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal direction or transverse thereto, the upstream and downstream fluidic interconnection elements are displaced relative to each other.

[0309] For example, based on or by relative displacement or movement of the device body and the downstream element from the open position to the use position, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal direction ortransverse thereto, a fluidic connection between one or more of the upstream airflow path, the upstream fluidic interconnection element, the downstream airflow path and the downstream fluidic interconnection element may be established, optionally with the aerosol-forming article, for example the air inlet and the aerosol or air outlet.

[0310] Alternatively or additionally, based on or by relative displacement or movement of the device body and the downstream element, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal direction ortransverse thereto from the open position to the use position, a fluidic connection between one or more of the main air inlet, the first airpath structure, the second airpath structure, and the centre upstream air channel may be established, optionally with the aerosol-forming article, for example the air inlet and the aerosol or air outlet.

[0311] Alternatively or additionally, based on or by relative displacement or movement of the device body and the downstream element, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal direction or transverse thereto, from the open position to the use position, a fluidic connection between one or more of the main air inlet, the first airpath structure, the second airpath structure, and the centre upstream air channel may be established, optionally with the aerosol-forming article, for example the air inlet and the aerosol or air outlet.

[0312] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming article and an aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may be any aerosol-forming device described with reference to any aspect of the present disclosure. In particular, the aerosol-forming device includes a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming article includes an aerosol-forming substrate and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, defining a longitudinal axis. Therein, the aerosol-forming device includes one or more fluidic interconnection elements, for example one or more of the upstream fluidic interconnection element and the downstream fluidic interconnection element. The at least one fluidic interconnection element includes a blade structure surrounding a flow path, wherein the blade structure includes a first end configured to face towards a side face or end face of the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming article includes a cavity or compartment for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, and a fluidic opening arranged on a side face or end face fluidically connected to the cavity, wherein, upon pressing the aerosol-forming article against the fluidic interconnection element, the blade structure of the fluidic interconnection element is configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around the fluidic opening to provide for a fluidic connection between the aerosol-forming device and the removable aerosol-forming article.

[0313] By pressing or cutting the blade structure into the wall or frame around or surrounding, for example along a perimeter of the fluidic opening, a reliable fluidic connection can be established, in particular an at least partly sealed or fluid-tight connection.

[0314] The at least one fluidic opening of the aerosol-forming article may also be referred to herein as air inlet, air outlet or aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

[0315] The at least one opening may be arranged at an end face of the aerosol-forming article. Optionally, two fluidic interconnection elements may be arranged at the two end faces of the aerosol-forming article opposing each other in longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device.

[0316] The aerosol-forming device may further include a mechanism to move the aerosol-forming article relative to the aerosol-forming device in the longitudinal direction to put the aerosol-forming device and the article in a fluidically interconnected state. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming device may further include a mechanism to move the aerosol-forming article relative to the aerosol-forming device in the longitudinal direction to establish a fluidic connection or coupling between the aerosol-forming device and the aerosol-forming article. Therein, the flow path, also referred to herein as airflow or airflow path or airflow channel, of or through the fluidic interconnection element and the fluidic opening may extend or be directed in longitudinal direction, for example from a distal end towards a proximal end of the aerosolforming device.

[0317] As used herein, the fluidically interconnected state may refer to a fluidic connection or interconnection being established between the aerosol-forming device and the aerosol-forming article.

[0318] The mechanism to move the aerosol-forming article relative to the aerosol-forming device in the longitudinal direction may, for example, relate to or include a relative movement or displacement of the device body, respectively, the first housing part and the downstream element, respectively, the mouthpiece portion or second housing part.

[0319] Alternatively or additionally, also an actuator, for example a linear or rotational actuator, or manual movement of the aerosol-forming article relative to the aerosol-forming device may be involved. For instance, a user may push the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber.

[0320] An outer wall of the blade structure of the at least one fluidic interconnection element may include a sloped shape thereby increasing or decreasing a thickness of the blade structure in a flow direction along the flow path. Hence, the material forming the wall around the fluidic opening of the article may be pushed outwards by the blade structure, thereby ensuring that the fluidic opening, and hence the flow path, are kept open.

[0321] In the fluidically interconnected state, respectively, upon establishing connection or interconnection being established between the aerosol-forming device and the aerosol-forming article, a penetration depth of the blade structure into the wall or frame around the fluidic opening is about 0.05 mm to 1 mm, preferably about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0322] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming device comprises a device body or first housing part forming or defining a main axis of extension of the aerosol-forming device. The main axis of extension may refer to or be coaxial with the longitudinal axis and / or centre axis of the aerosol-forming device. The device further comprises a heating module arranged at least partially inside the device body, the heating module being configured to at least partially and removably hold the aerosol-forming article. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a downstream element, second housing part or mouthpiece portion movably attached to the device body, and configured to or able to move between an open position and a use position. In the open position, the aerosol-forming device is configured to provide access to a heating chamber of the heating module, and in the use position, the aerosol-forming device is configured to close the heating module. The device further comprises a spring biasing mechanism establishing or configured to establish or exert a compressive force acting onto the inserted aerosol-forming article in a direction along the main axis of extension, when the downstream element is in the use position.

[0323] By the compressive force, the aerosol-forming article may be fixed in the heating chamber along the longitudinal direction or axis of the device. For example, this may ensure correct positioning of aerosolforming article in the heating chamber, thereby allowing for a reliable and efficient heating. Optionally, also one or more fluidic connections may be established between the aerosol-forming article and the aerosolforming device.

[0324] The compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism may act between the device body and the heating module to press the heating module towards the downstream element when the downstream element is in the use position. A compressive force acting in the opposite direction may be used instead or in addition.

[0325] The heating module may be slidably arranged inside the device body to slide along the main axis of extension or longitudinal axis, wherein the spring biasing mechanism may be configured to push the heating module to be at least partially outside the device body when the downstream element is in the open position. In other words, in the open position, the heating module may protrude from an end of the device body. For instance, this may allow to remove or replace the heating module. The compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism may act onto a centre end wall of the heating module. A surface normal vector of the centre end wall may be directed along the longitudinal direction, for example from a proximal to a distal end of the aerosol-forming device.

[0326] The heating module may include a distal end portion that is slidably arranged relative to the heating chamber, wherein the compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism may act onto the distal end portion of the heating module, for example to move the distal end portion into the heating chamber. In this case, the heating elements of the heating module may remain stationary.

[0327] The distal end portion of the heating module may include an upstream flow path and an upstream fluidic interconnection element that can be configured to provide a fluidic interconnection with an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

[0328] A proximal end portion of the heating module may include a downstream flow path and a downstream fluidic interconnection element that can be configured to provide a fluidic interconnection with a downstream air or aerosol outlet of the aerosol-forming article.

[0329] In an example, the compressive force of the spring biasing mechanism may act between the downstream element of the aerosol-forming device and the inserted aerosol-forming article to press the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, when the downstream element is in the use position.

[0330] The spring biasing mechanism may further include an elastic element operatively arranged between a body or main part of the downstream element and a downstream fluidic interconnection element configured to flu idically interconnect to an aerosol or air outlet of the aerosol-forming article. By means of the elastic element, a substantially sealed or fluid-tight connection or coupling can be ensured.

[0331] The downstream element may optionally include a mouthpiece. For example, the mouthpiece may be extractable from and / or retractable into the downstream element, respectively, the second housing part or mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-forming device.

[0332] The aerosol-forming device may further comprise an interconnection mechanism arranged between the downstream element and the device body, permitting the movement between the open and the use position, wherein the movement may include a rotational movement, a linear movement, or combination of a rotational and linear movement. In particular, any mechanism described herein for moving or displacing the device body and the downstream element relative to each other between the open position and use position can be used.

[0333] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, for example opposing each other in normal direction of the aerosol-forming device and / or article. The aerosol-forming device comprises a heating chamber for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, and a convective air heater or convective heater assembly arranged upstream of the heating chamber. Therein, the convective air heater includes a slit-shaped or slot shaped air channel and a resistive heating element, which may be planar or helix- or spiral-shaped, arranged inside the slitshaped or slot-shaped air channel, such that two air flow channels or paths, also referred to herein as narrow air flow channels or simply as gaps, are formed above and below the resistive heating element. The slit-shaped or slot shaped air channel may also be referred to as convective heating chamber. For instance, the air channels or gaps may be formed on two opposite sides, for example two planar sides or surfaces, of the resistive heating element. By means of the convective air heater with the resistive heating element, an efficient pre-heating or flash heating of the airflow may be ensured, for example such that air with elevated temperature can be directed into or towards the aerosol-forming article for generating aerosol.

[0334] The two narrow air flow channels or air flow channels or gaps may have a width in a range between 3 mm to 15 mm, and have a height of less than 0.5 mm and more than 0.05 mm, preferably less than 0.3 mm and more than 0.1 mm, preferably less than 0.25 mm to 0.1 mm. The width may, for example, be measured along the transverse or width direction of the aerosol-forming device, and the height may be measured along the normal or height direction of the aerosol-forming device, or vice versa. Such dimensions, heights and / or widths may allow for an efficient and fast heating of the air flowing through the air flow channels.

[0335] In an example, two opposing walls forming the slit-shaped air channel and having the resistive element therebetween may not be heated. They may be made from an insulating material, avoiding heat transfer from the convective heating chamber into other parts of the device through other paths than the heated air flow. This may provide for efficient heating.

[0336] The two opposing walls forming the slit-shaped air channel and having the resistive element therebetween may have a structured, for example roughened or ragged, surface for causing an air flow turbulence. Additionally or alternatively, the surface of the resistive heating element may be structured, for example roughened or ragged, to cause turbulences. Also such air flow turbulence may be beneficial in terms of an efficient heating, for example as it may allow for a more homogenous temperature distribution.

[0337] The aerosol-forming device may further comprise two terminals for electrical interconnection of the convective air heater with the aerosol-forming device, the two terminals and the resistive heating element formed by a single sheet of metal. The single sheet of metal may allow for efficient heating and may be cost-efficient.

[0338] An air flow direction in the convective air heater may be in axis with an air flow direction in the heating chamber. For example, the air flow direction may be substantially parallel or along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device and / or article. By being in axis, obstructions in the flow path can be avoided, thereby also potentially preventing overheating.

[0339] A downstream end of the convective air heater may form or comprise a blade structure around the slit-shaped or slot-shaped air channel, the blade structure being configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around or surrounding an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. By means of the blade structure a substantially sealed or fluid connection may be ensured, thereby ensuring that the air flow is guided or directed towards the air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

[0340] The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a backplate forming at least one lateral airflow path upstream of the slit-shaped or slot-shaped air channel and leading to the slit-shaped air channel, wherein the backplate holds or supports the resistive heating element suspended inside the slit-shaped air channel. Accordingly, the resistive heating element, for example protruding inside the slit-shaped air channel, may be arranged at the backplate, for example at least partially or exclusively upstream of the backplate.

[0341] The resistive heating element may be formed as a meandering or serpentine structure, wherein the meandering or serpentine structure may extend in-plane of the resistive heating element. For example, the resistive heating element may extend in a plane, and the meandering or serpentine structure may be directed along an extension direction thereof in said plane, wherein portions of the meandering or serpentine structure may alternately traverse the actual extension direction of the meandering or serpentine structure. The extension direction of the meandering or serpentine structure may, for example, extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device, for example along the transverse or normal direction thereof.

[0342] For example, the resistive heating element may comprise a strip of a metal sheet, for example stainless steel, which may be perforated and / or include one or more perforation openings or holes. In other words, the resistive heating element may comprise a meshed metal strip. The strip may be bent into a stack of serpentine branches spanning between the two terminals of the resistive heating element. The branches may all be formed similarly, for example by having the same dimensions and / or extensions. The direction in which the stack of serpentine branches extends may be referred to as the stack direction, and the stack direction may be perpendicular or parallel to the longitudinal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device. The resistive heating element may be configured and / or arranged so that the air flowing through the convective heating chamber passes through the perforations forming the mesh of the strip, particularly along the stack direction. By flowing along the stack direction, the air may pass through perforations of every single branch in the stack, which ensures efficient and quick heat transfer to the air.

[0343] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces. The aerosol-forming device comprises a heating chamber for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, the heating chamber defining an insertion direction, for example for inserting the aerosol-forming article into the aerosol-forming device. The insertion direction may extend along or parallel to an insertion axis and / or a longitudinal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a convective air heater assembly arranged upstream of the heating chamber, the convective air heater assembly including a resistive heater element or resistive heating element extending at least partly into the convective air heater assembly or therein. The space in the convective heater assembly in which the resistive heating element is arranged may also be referred to as convective heating chamber. Therein, the convective air heater assembly includes two air heating channels leading from each side or lateral face of the aerosol-forming device to a central air channel. Alternatively or additionally, the convective air heater assembly may include two air heating channels leading or extending from two opposing sides or lateral faces of the aerosol-forming device, for example opposing in transverse direction and / or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device, to a central air channel. Further, the central air channel may lead or extend fluidically to an air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, the central air channel may be fluidically coupled or couplable to the air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

[0344] By means of the convective air heater assembly with the resistive heater element, an efficient preheating or flash heating of the airflow may be ensured, for example such that air with elevated temperature can be directed into or towards the air inlet of the aerosol-forming article for generating aerosol.

[0345] The resistive heater element may include a coil that extends through the two air heating channels. Based on supplying current to the coil, an efficient and fast heating of the air can be ensured.

[0346] The resistive heater element may include a planar or preferably planar resistive heating element that extends through the two air heating channels. Based on supplying current to the planar resistive heating element, an efficient and fast heating of the air can be ensured. The resistive heating element may also correspond to the embodiment using the meshed metal strip as previously explained. To avoid repetitions, reference is made to the previous explanations.

[0347] For example, a plane defined by the planar resistive heating element may be perpendicular or orthogonal to the insertion direction. For example, the plane defined by the planar resistive heating element may extend in or be congruent with a plane defined by the transverse and the normal axis of the aerosolforming device. However, any other plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction or insertion direction may be used instead.

[0348] The aerosol-forming device may further comprise a backplate, also referred to herein as back plate, between the heating chamber and the convective air heater or the convective heating chamber, the backplate including the central air channel. Accordingly, the central air channel may be formed by or pass through the backplate.

[0349] The backplate may further include a blade structure around or surrounding the central air channel, configured to cut or press into a wall or frame around an upstream air inlet of the aerosol-forming article. Thereby, a substantially sealed or fluid-tight connection may be established.

[0350] The backplate may further include two air inlet holes, openings or inlets, which may be arranged upstream of two air heating channels, respectively, to fluidically connect with the respective one of air heating channels. Accordingly, each of the two air inlet holes may be coupled with a respective or corresponding one of the two air heating channels.

[0351] Further, one or more side walls forming the two air heating channels may not be heated, and may be made of a material with low thermal conductivity. For example, they may be made from thermally insulating material, avoiding heat transfer from the convective heating chamber into other parts of the device through other paths than the heated air flow. This may provide for efficient heating.

[0352] The one or more side walls forming the two air heating channels may have a structured surface, for example a roughened or ragged surface, for causing an air flow turbulence. Additionally or alternatively, the surface of the resistive heating element may be structured, for example roughened or ragged, to cause turbulences. Also such air flow turbulence may be beneficial in terms of an efficient heating, for example as it may allow for a more homogenous temperature distribution.

[0353] The aerosol-forming device may further comprise two terminals for electrical interconnection of the convective air heater assembly with the aerosol-forming device, the two terminals and the resistive heating element optionally formed by a single sheet of metal, for example stainless steel. The single sheet of metal may allow for efficient heating and may be cost-efficient.

[0354] The two air heating channels may be arranged in an axis or extend along a direction that is perpendicular or orthogonal to the insertion direction. However, also any direction transverse or non-parallel to the insertion direction may be used instead.

[0355] The resistive heater element may be formed from a single sheet of metal, for example stainless steel. The single sheet of metal may allow for efficient heating and may be cost-efficient.

[0356] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces, and an aerosol-forming substrate arranged between the opposing main faces. The main faces or surfaces may oppose each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, for example in transverse direction or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The substrate may be arranged therebetween, for example in transverse direction or normal direction of the aerosolforming device. The aerosol-forming device comprises a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the substantially rectangular parallelepiped aerosol-forming article, the heating chamber defining an insertion direction for the aerosol-forming article. The insertion direction may extend along or parallel to an insertion axis and / or a longitudinal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a heating structure, at least an element thereof made of an electrically conductive material, the heating structure being arranged at least partly inside the heating chamber, such that upon insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, at least a part of the heating structure is configured to move towards an adjacent side face and / or a main face or surface of the heating chamber, so that a heating surface of the heating structure and / or said at least part of the heating structure is pressed against one of the main faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article. For example, the heating structure may comprise at least one ortwo heating elements, which may, for example, be resistive heating elements. At least a part of the heating element may be moved by the insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber.

[0357] Accordingly, the heating chamber may comprise two main faces opposing each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, for example along the transverse direction or normal direction of the device. Each of the main faces of the heating chamber may be associated with or arranged adjacent or arranged opposite to a respective one of the main faces of the aerosol-forming article. For example, at least one of the heating elements may be arranged at one of the main faces of the heating chamber. Particularly, the two heating elements of the heating chamber are arranged on both main faces of the heating chamber, one heating element per main face. Based on inserting the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, at least a part of the heating structure, for example at least one heating surface of the heating structure, i.e. at least part of one of the heating elements, may be relatively displaced with respect to the aerosol-forming article and / or the heater casing, such that said at least part of the heating structure is pressed against the associated main face of the aerosol-forming article to heat the aerosol-forming article. Hence, an efficient and fast heating of the aerosol-forming article may be provided. Such relative displacement of the heating structure or heating surface may be along or parallel to the normal direction, along the transverse direction and / or along the longitudinal direction.

[0358] A compression force exerted onto the inserted aerosol-forming article from one side by the heating structure, for example exerted onto one of the main faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article, for example by one or both of the heating elements, may be in a range between 1 N to 30 N, preferably between 4 N and 25 N, more preferably between 6 N and 20 N, even more preferably about 9.4 N. This may allow for a reliable heat transfer between the heating structure or the at least one heating surface or heating element thereof and the aerosol-forming article.

[0359] The heating structure may include a first heating element and a second heating element, the first heating element and the second heating element opposing each other, for example in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, in a transverse direction or a normal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The first heating element and the second heating element each form an airgap between the first and second heating element and the respective adjacent side face or main face of the heating chamber.

[0360] For instance, the first heating element may be spaced apart from a first main face of the heating chamber by a first air gap and the second heating element may be spaced apart from a second main face of the heating chamber by a second airgap, wherein the first and second main faces of the heating chamber may oppose each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, in a transverse direction or a normal direction of the aerosol-forming device.

[0361] The heating structure may include a heating element and a non-heated counter element or supporting element, the heating element and the non-heated counter element opposing each other, for example in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, in a transverse direction or a normal direction of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, a heater gap, also referred to herein as airgap, may be formed between at least the heating element and the adjacent or respective side face or main face of the heating chamber. The non-heated counter element may refer to an element that is not heated. Apart from not being heated, the non-heated counter element may be identical to or may differ from the heating element. By means of the non-heated counter element, the aerosol-forming article may be clamped between the nonheated counter element and the heating element, thereby ensuring thermal contact between the heating element and the article.

[0362] Alternatively to a non-heated counter element, two heating elements may be used that oppose each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, for example in transverse direction or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device.

[0363] The heating structure may include one or more heating elements arranged or configured to heat one or more main faces of the aerosol-forming article. Alternatively or additionally, also one or more lateral faces may be heated by one or more lateral heating elements of the heating structure. For example, the heating structure or one or more heating surfaces thereof may at least partly or completely surround the aerosolforming article along a perimeter thereof, for example in a U-shape, a C-shape, circular shape or other shape, to heat the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, the main faces or surfaces and / or one or more lateral faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article may be heated by the heating structure.

[0364] The aerosol-forming device further comprises a suspension element, spring element or other mechanism configured to hold and / or position the heating structure inside the heating chamber and to provide for a compressive force by the heating structure to or towards the inserted aerosol-forming article. By means of the compressive force, the at least one heating surface may be reliably pressed against one of the main faces of the aerosol-forming article, thereby ensuring heat transfer or thermal conduction from the heating structure to the aerosol-forming article.

[0365] The heating structure may include at least one heater plate or element. The at least one heater plate may constitute or define the at least one heating surface of the heating structure. The at least one heater plate may have or include a front edge at an open end of the heating chamber to be bevelled for facilitating an insertion of the aerosol-forming article. For instance, the front edge at the open end of the heating chamber may be curved outwards with respect to the longitudinal direction of the device, thereby allowing to insert the aerosol-forming article.

[0366] The heating structure may include at least one heater plate or element. The at least one heater plate may constitute or define the at least one heating surface of the heating structure. The at least one heater plate may be arranged oblique, inclined or tilted with respect to the insertion direction, with a larger gap being formed at an open end of the heating chamber, for facilitating an insertion of the aerosol-forming article.

[0367] In an example, the suspension element or spring element may include at least one of a leaf spring, coil spring, elastomeric elements, or a combination thereof. Any other appropriate suspension element or means may be used instead or addition thereto. The suspension element may include an active element or mechanism configured to actively displace at least a part of the heating structure, for example the at least one heating surface, towards a centre or centre axis of the heating chamber. The centre axis of the heating chamber may be parallel or coaxial to the longitudinal axis and / or centre axis of the aerosol-forming device.

[0368] The heating structure may include at least one heating plate or element formed as a meandering branch or track in the shape of a leaf spring, such that long branches of the meandering track bulge outwardly towards the opposite side of the heating chamber.

[0369] For example, the meandering track may meander around a transverse direction of the aerosolforming device, wherein individual branches may substantially extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, the branches may alternately cross the transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device.

[0370] The heating structure may include a heating plate or element with a plurality of parallelly-arranged heating tracks or branches in parallel or orthogonal to an insertion direction.

[0371] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heating structure for an aerosolforming device, for example for heating an aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining or with two opposing main faces. The heating structure includes a distal end and a proximal end. The heating structure comprises a holding section having two terminals for electrical interconnection arranged at the distal end, for example with an electric circuit of the aerosol-generating device. The heating structure further comprises a central section including a plurality of parallelly-arranged heater branches or resistive branches, and a proximal end section forming one or more plate-like elements. The central section may be arranged between the holding section and the proximal section in direction from the distal to the proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. The central section may be configured to heat at least one main face or surface of the aerosol-forming article. The heating structure may also be referred to herein as a heating element, for example a first and / or second heating element. The holding section may also be referred to herein as a first end. The central section may also be referred to herein as heating section. The proximal end section may also be referred to herein as a second end.

[0372] A surface area of the plurality of parallelly-arranged heater branches, which may be configured to come into contact with a main surface of the aerosol-forming article, may be in a range between 20 mm2and 100 mm2, more preferably in a range between 30 mm2and 75 mm2, even more preferably between 35 mm2and 70 mm2. This area may for example form or constitute a heating surface of the heating structure.

[0373] The heating structure may be made from a single sheet of metal, preferably stainless steel. The single sheet of metal may allow for efficient heating and may be cost-efficient. Stainless steel may be beneficial in terms hygiene.

[0374] The single sheet of metal may have a thickness in a range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably in a range of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, preferably about 0.15 mm.

[0375] The proximal end section of the heating structure may be arranged at a first angle relative to the heating section or central section. Accordingly, the proximal end section may be arranged tilted or oblique with respect to the central section. For instance, the proximal end section may be directed outwards from distal to proximal end.

[0376] The parallelly-arranged heater branches of the central section may be connected or electrically connected in series. Hence, the branches may be heated simultaneously by supplying current to the branches. The parallelly-arranged heater branches of the central section may form a meandering element. For example, the meandering element may include one or more meandering tracks or branches, which may meander around a transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, wherein individual branches may substantially extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, the branches may alternately cross the transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device.

[0377] The parallelly-arranged heater branches of the central section may include between two and twenty branches, preferably between four and twelve branches. This may provide a large heating surface allowing for fast heating of the article.

[0378] The holding section may include a connection element having two portions thereof interconnecting to the two terminals, the connection element arranged at a second angle relative to the heating section. Therein, the first and second angle may differ from one another or be substantially identical. In particular, the first angle may be larger than the second angle, such that the proximal section may be more tilted with respect to the central section than the holding section of the heating structure.

[0379] The heating structure may be arranged or configured to heat one or more main faces of the aerosolforming article. Alternatively or additionally, also one or more lateral faces may be heated, for example by one or more lateral heating elements of the heating structure. For example, the heating structure or one or more heating surfaces thereof may at least partly or completely surround the aerosol-forming article along a perimeter thereof, for example in a U-shape, a C-shape, circular shape or other shape, to heat the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, the main faces or surfaces and / or one or more lateral faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article may be heated by the heating structure.

[0380] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heater module for an aerosolforming device, the heater module configured to removably and at least partially receive an aerosol-forming article including an aerosol-forming substrate, the aerosol-forming article having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape defining two opposing main faces. The heater module comprises a heating structure including two opposing heating elements forming a substantially rectangular parallelepiped heating volume therebetween for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article, the heating volume being arranged at least partially inside a heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device and defining an insertion axis, for example parallel to or coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. The heater elements may oppose each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, for example along a transverse direction or normal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The heater module further comprises a heater casing made of a non-conductive material forming an outer shell around the two opposing heating elements. Further, two smaller inner side faces or lateral faces of the heater casing form or define the inner small side faces or lateral faces of the heating chamber. The heater module further comprises a backplate forming a distal end wall or end face of the heating chamber, the backplate having an upstream air inlet for fluidic connection with the aerosol-forming article.

[0381] For example, the two heater elements may oppose each other in normal direction and the small or smaller inner side faces of the heater casing may refer to lateral faces of the inner casing that define or constitute two lateral faces of the heating chamber, wherein the two lateral faces of the heater casing and / or the heating chamber may oppose each other in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device.

[0382] The heating chamber may be configured to at least partially receive the aerosol-forming article having a length, e.g. as measured along the insertion axis in longitudinal direction, and / or parallel to the longitudinal axis, in a range between 20 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm, more preferably about 30 mm, having a width, e.g. measured in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, in a range between 7 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 9 mm and 13 mm, more preferably about 11 mm, and a thickness or height, e.g. measured in normal direction of the aerosol-forming device, of between 2 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 4 mm, more preferably about 3.1 mm. Therein, the length may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum length, the width may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum width and the thickness may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum thickness, respectively, height of the aerosolforming article.

[0383] The heating chamber may be configured to have an insertion depth along the insertion axis in a range between 10 mm and 35 mm, preferably in a range between 15 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between 15 mm and 25 mm. The insertion depth may refer to a distance by which the aerosol-forming article can be inserted into the heating chamber. The insertion depth may for example correspond to a distance, for example minimum, mean or maximum distance, between a proximal end face of the heating chamber and a distal end face of the heating chamber, respectively the backplate of the heating chamber. The insertion depth may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance or insertion depth.

[0384] The insertion depth may define or substantially correspond to a length of the heating chamber, for example measured in longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, a length of the heating chamber may be in a range between 10 mm and 35 mm, preferably in a range between 15 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between 15 mm and 25 mm. The length may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum length.

[0385] The heating chamber may be configured to have an insertion depth that is shorter than a length of the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, the aerosol-forming article, when inserted into the heating chamber, may protrude from a proximal end of the heating chamber, for example by about 1 mm to 30 mm, for example 2 mm to 20 mm, preferably about 5 mm to 15 mm, more preferably about 5 mm to about 10 mm.

[0386] The aerosol-forming substrate that is located inside the aerosol-forming article may be placed such that upon insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, the aerosol-forming substrate is fully inserted into the heating volume, such that the substrate faces or is arranged between the two opposing heating elements. Accordingly, the substrate may be completely located in the heating chamber, for example to ensure homogenous generation of aerosol across the substrate.

[0387] The heating chamber may have a width, for example measured along the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, between the two inner small side faces or lateral faces between 7.2 mm and 15.2 mm, preferably between 9.2 mm and 13.2 mm, more preferably about 11.2 mm. The width may be minimum, mean or maximum width.

[0388] The heating chamber may have a width, for example measured along the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, between the two inner small side faces or lateral faces to provide for an interference fit, a press-fit, or a friction-fit with the small side surfaces or lateral faces of aerosol-forming article. Hence, the aerosol-forming article may be laterally positioned or fixed in the heating chamber.

[0389] The heating chamber may have a height or thickness, for example measured along the normal direction of the aerosol-forming device, between two inner large side faces or main faces of the heater casing between 2 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 3 mm and 8 mm, even more preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm. The height may be minimum, mean or maximum height. Further, a heater gap may be formed between at least one of the two opposing heating elements and a large inner side surface or main face of the heating chamber.

[0390] For example, one of the two opposing heating elements may include an electrically conducting heatable or heating element, wherein the other one of the two opposing heating elements may include a non-conductive and / or non-heatable counter plate or element, also referred to as supporting element. Accordingly, one of the heating elements may be heated and another one may be formed as non-heated counter element.

[0391] In another example, both of two opposing heating elements may be electrically conducting and may form two opposing heatable elements. The two heatable elements may oppose each other in normal direction of the aerosol-forming device, for example.

[0392] The one or more conductive heating or heatable elements may be configured to act as dielectric heater electrodes of a load capacitor supplied with a Radio Frequency, RF, voltage. This may allow for a fast and efficient heating of the one or more conductive heating or heatable elements.

[0393] At least one of the opposing heating or heatable elements may include one or more branches acting as resistive or Joule-type heater elements.

[0394] For example, at least one of the branches may be shaped as spring-like elements, shaped to define the heating volume, and arranged to be substantially parallel with the insertion axis. In an example, the one or more heating or heatable elements may form spring-like elements defining the heating volume and arranged in a plane parallel to a plane defined by the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device.

[0395] The heater module may further comprise an inductor coil or induction coil wound around the insertion axis, around, inside, or at least partially inside the heater casing, the induction coil configured to be powered by an AC voltage or current to induce currents inside at least one of the opposing heating elements to act as one or more susceptors of an inductive heater. In other words, the one or more heating elements may act as susceptor and may be inductively heated.

[0396] The heater module may further comprise a convective air heater assembly arranged to fluidically interface with the upstream air inlet of the backplate, the airflow path defined by the upstream air inlet and the convective air inlet substantially flowing along a centre axis extending along the insertion direction. As described hereinabove and hereinbelow, the convective heater assembly may provide a pre-heating, particularly flash heating, of the air directed to the air inlet of the aerosol-forming article.

[0397] In an example, the small inner side faces, also referred to as lateral faces, of the heater casing may include at least one channel extending in parallel to an insertion direction along the heating chamber and or thereby forming or defining an upstream airflow path. The channel may, for example, be or comprise a groove in the small inner side faces of the heater casing.

[0398] The heater module may further comprise a puff sensing module or puff sensor arranged in fluidic connection with the upstream air inlet of the backplate. By means of the puff sensing module, a puff, for example initiation of a puff by a user and / or termination of a puff, may be detected.

[0399] The puff sensing module may include a sensing cavity located in a centre of the device, arranged to fluidically connect to the upstream air inlet. This may allow for reliable puff detection.

[0400] The heater module may further comprise a sensing device placed at the heater casing configured to read an indicium from a surface of the aerosol-forming article. The indicium may for example be a printed indicium or other indicium, such as an RFID tag, barcode or QR code. The indicium may be visible or invisible with the human eye. Also, a plurality of same or different indicia may be used.

[0401] The sensing device may for example include a reader module configured to read information that is provided with or on the aerosol-forming article, for example in the form of one or more indicia, for at least one of authenticating and / or classifying the aerosol-forming article. Hence, authenticity and / or type of the aerosol-forming article may be detected.

[0402] A least one of two opposing heating elements may include two electrical connection terminals, wherein the at least one of the two opposing heating elements with the corresponding two electrical connection terminals may be formed from a single metal sheet.

[0403] Therein, two electrical connection terminals may be configured to protrude in a distal direction away from the heater casing, for example in parallel to the insertion direction.

[0404] The heater module may further comprise attachment means for removably holding the heater module inside the aerosol-forming device, the attachment means may be configured to release the heater module from the aerosol-forming device, thereby permitting a removal of the heating module via a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. Via the attachment means, the heater module may be removed or replaced.

[0405] The one or more branches, also referred to herein as tracks, of at least one of the opposing heating elements may be arranged to form a meandering shape, with the longer branches of the meandering shape arranged to be substantially in parallel with the insertion direction and / or longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device.

[0406] The longer branches of the meandering shape may be configured to contact a surface of the aerosolforming article when inserted into the heating chamber at a location where the substrate is placed, the longer branches having a higher resistivity than the other elements of the opposing heating elements. Hence, an efficient and fast heating can be provided.

[0407] The heater module further comprises an insulation casing arranged around the heater casing. By the insulation casing it may be avoided that a casing or housing of the aerosol-forming device gets too hot, for example too hot to be comfortably handled by a user.

[0408] An upstream airflow path of the aerosol-forming device or heater module may be formed between the insulating casing and the heater casing, arranged in parallel to the insertion direction, with an air inlet formed at the proximal end of the heater module and / or insulating casing. This can provide further insulation or cooling of the insulating casing via the air passing between the insulating casing and the heater casing.

[0409] The heating chamber or heating cavity may have a height or clearance defined by the two opposing heating elements between the two inner large side faces or main faces to provide for an interference fit, a press-fit, or a friction-fit with the aerosol-forming article. Dimensions of the heating chamber may be as described hereinabove or hereinbelow.

[0410] The heater module may further comprise two heater clamps or clamp elements for holding at least a portion of the opposing heating elements against the corresponding part of the heater casing. Hence, reliable and good thermal contact may be ensured.

[0411] For example, the two heater clamps may have a U-shape. Other shapes are envisaged.

[0412] Therein, a smallest clearance distance of the heater volume may be in a range between 1 mm to 6 mm, more preferably in a range between 2 mm and 3.5 mm. Accordingly, a heater gap between at least one of the two opposing heating elements and a large inner side surface or main face of the heating chamber may be in a range between 1 mm to 6 mm, more preferably in a range between 2 mm and 3.5 mm.

[0413] The heater module may be configured to heat one or more main faces of the aerosol-forming article. Alternatively or additionally, also one or more lateral faces may be heated by heater module. For example, a heating structure may at least partly or completely surround the aerosol-forming article along a perimeter thereof, for example in a U-shape, a C-shape, circular shape or other shape, to heat the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, the main faces or surfaces and / or one or more lateral faces or surfaces of the aerosolforming article may be heated by the heating structure.

[0414] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming article and an aerosol-forming device, for example an aerosol-forming device according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The aerosol-forming device may include a heating chamber for at least partially and removably receiving the aerosol-forming article, the aerosolforming article including an aerosol-forming substrate and having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Therein, the heating chamber includes two opposing heater elements forming a substantially rectangular parallelepiped heating volume therebetween for removably and at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming article. The terms heater element and heating element may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein. The heating volume defines an insertion axis for inserting the article therein. The insertion axis may be parallel to or coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the aerosol-forming article may have a length, for example as measured along the insertion axis and / or along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, in a range between 20 mm and 40 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm, more preferably about 30 mm. The aerosol-forming article may have a width, for example as measured along the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, in a range between 7 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 9 mm and 13 mm, more preferably about 11 mm. The aerosol-forming article may have a thickness or height, for example as measured along the normal direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, of between 2 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2.5 mm and 4 mm, more preferably about 3.1 mm. Therein, the length may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum length, the width may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum width and the thickness may referto a minimum, mean or maximum thickness, respectively, height of the aerosol-forming article.

[0415] At least one central section or heating section of at least one of the heater or heating elements may be configured to elastically flex or bend in a thickness direction, for example in normal direction of the aerosol-forming article and / or device, which may be perpendicular or orthogonal to the insertion direction, such that upon insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber, a contact or compressive force between the central section and one of the main faces of the rectangular parallelepiped aerosolforming article is established. By flexing or bending the central section, for example outwards parallel to a surface normal vector of a main face of the aerosol-forming article, sufficient thermal contact between the heating element and / or central section thereof and the main face may be ensured.

[0416] Therein, a flex distance established by the at least one heating section between an inserted and removed aerosol-forming article may be in a range between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, more preferably in a range between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, even more preferably in a range between 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The flex distance may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum distance, by which the central section may be bent in normal direction of the aerosol-forming device or opposite thereto. Alternatively to flexing, the at least one heating element may be displaced along the normal direction.

[0417] The aerosol-forming substrate may have a substantially planar shape and may be located between a top and bottom cover sheet inside the aerosol-forming article, wherein the substrate may have a length, for example as measured along the insertion axis and / or along the longitudinal direction of the aerosolforming device or article, of about 8 mm to 15 mm, preferably about 12 mm. The substrate may further have a width, for example as measured perpendicularly to the insertion direction and / or along the transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device or article, of about 6 mm to 13 mm, preferably about 8 mm. Therein, the length may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum length, and the width may refer to a minimum, mean or maximum width of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0418] One or two main faces, and optionally one or two lateral faces or surfaces of the aerosol-forming article may be heated by one or more heater or heating elements.

[0419] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device for generating aerosol, for example aerosol inhalable by a user and / or nicotine containing aerosol. The aerosolforming device comprises a first housing part including a heating chamber configured to receive an aerosolforming article, and a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part, such that the second housing part is movable relative to the first housing part along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device between an open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article, and a use position for generating aerosol based on heating at least a part of the aerosol-forming article. Therein, the second housing part includes a fixation means configured to engage with the aerosolforming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is movable along the longitudinal direction based on movement of the second housing part along the longitudinal direction.

[0420] Due to the fixation means in combination with the relative movability of the first and second housing part, handling of an aerosol-forming article and / or handling of the aerosol-forming device may be simplified for a user. In particular, the aerosol-forming article may be moved or displaced based on moving the first and second housing parts relative to each other, thereby providing an intuitive and simple way for a user to load an aerosol-forming article into the device and to remove it therefrom. Also, the configuration and design of the device can allow for an insertion and removal in a controlled manner, thereby avoiding any damage to the aerosol-forming article.

[0421] As used herein the first and second housing parts may refer to respective portions of the housing or enclosure of the aerosol-forming device. In particular, the first and second housing parts may constitute portions of the housing, which are mechanically coupled to each other, such that the first and second housing parts can be moved and / or displaced relative to each other along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device.

[0422] In an example, the first housing part may refer to or include a device body, a body portion, a front part, a distal part and / or a lower part of the housing. Alternatively or additionally, the second housing part may refer to or include a mouthpiece portion, a rear part, an upper part, a top part and / or a proximal part of the housing.

[0423] Optionally, the majority of electronic components of the aerosol-forming device may be arranged in the first housing part, preferably all electronic components of the aerosol-forming device may be arranged in the first housing part. Alternatively or additionally, less or fewer electronic components may be arranged in the second housing part compared to the first housing part. Optionally, the second housing part may lack electronic components. Details of the first housing part and the second housing part are shown in and described with reference to Figures 52, 53, and 59-68, for example, wherein the first housing part is referred to as device body or body portion or body part, and the second housing part is referred to as mouthpiece portion or mouthpiece part. Accordingly, the terms “first housing part” and “device body” may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein. Alternatively or additionally, he terms “second housing part” and “mouthpiece portion” may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein.

[0424] The use position and the open position of the aerosol-forming device may generally refer to two different configurations of the aerosol-forming device. Between the open position and the use position, the first housing part and the second housing part can be moved or displaced relative to each other, for example parallel to the longitudinal axis or along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosolforming device being in the open position, respectively, being in the closed position, may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein with the first and / or second housing parts being in the open position, respectively, being in the closed position.

[0425] In the use position, the heating chamber may be closed and / or covered by the second housing part and / or the first housing part. Accordingly, the heating chamber may not be accessible, respectively, may be inaccessible for a user to insert the aerosol-forming article or remove it therefrom. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming article may only be inserted into the heating chamber when the second housing part and the first housing part are displaced or moved relative to each other out of the use position, for example are displaced towards the open position. Optionally, generation of aerosol may only be allowed in the use position.

[0426] In the open position, the heating chamber may be accessible, for example for inserting an aerosolforming article into or removing it from the heating chamber.

[0427] A relative displacement or movement of the second housing part and the first housing part from the open position towards or into the use position may refer to a displacement or movement of the second housing part from a proximal end towards a distal end of the aerosol-forming device, and / or may refer to a displacement or movement of the first housing part from a distal end towards a proximal end of the aerosolforming device.

[0428] Accordingly, the first housing part and the second housing part may be moved or displaced towards each other, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, when moving the first housing part and the second housing part from the open position towards or into the use position. Alternatively or additionally, the first housing part and the second housing part may be moved or displaced away from each other, for example along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, when moving the first housing part and the second housing part from the use position towards or into the open position.

[0429] In a non-limiting example, an opening of the heating chamber may be revealed or uncovered when the aerosol-forming device is in the open position or when the first and / or second housing parts are at least displaced from the use position towards or into the open position. Via the opening, the aerosol-forming article may be inserted into the heating chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the heating chamber may be opened based on or by displacing the second and / or first housing parts from the use position towards or into the open position, and it may be closed based on or by displacing the second and / or first housing parts from the open position towards or into the use position. The aerosol-forming device may have a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and a normal axis, each being transverse, in particular orthogonal, to each other. The longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or may extend from a proximal end or portion towards a distal end or portion of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the proximal end or portion may be associated with a mouthpiece portion or mouthpiece that is contacted by a user’s mouth during aerosol generation or consumption. A transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the transverse axis, and a normal direction of the aerosol-forming device may be parallel to the normal axis. When the transverse axis and the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device are both arranged, oriented or aligned in a horizontal plane, the normal axis of the aerosol-forming device defines a vertical axis of the aerosol-forming device. Therefore, the normal axis or direction may also be referred to herein as vertical axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device.

[0430] An extension, length or size of the aerosol-forming device may be longer in longitudinal direction than in directions transverse, for example orthogonal, thereto. Specifically, the aerosol-forming device may have a length measured along the longitudinal direction or axis, a width measured along the transverse direction or axis, and a thickness or height measured along the normal axis or direction of the aerosolforming device.

[0431] Optionally, the longitudinal direction may define and / or may be parallel to an insertion direction, along which the aerosol-forming article may be inserted into the heating chamber.

[0432] As used herein, the fixation means may generally refer to a component or element configured to secure or stabilize the aerosol-forming article with respect to the second housing part. In particular, the “fixation means being configured to engage” may refer to the fixation means being configured to mechanically and / or releasable couple or fix the aerosol-forming article to the aerosol-forming device. For instance, the fixation means can be arranged in the second housing part of the aerosol-forming device, for example at or near a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device, and the fixation means may be configured to mechanically and / or releasable couple or fix the aerosol-forming article to the second housing part.

[0433] A coupling and / or engagement of the fixation means and the aerosol-forming article may be based on a releasable mechanical fixation, such as for example based on frictional engagement and / or interlocking engagement. However, one or more of adhesive fixation, magnetic fixation, vacuum fixation or other fixation techniques may be used instead or in addition.

[0434] For coupling and / or engaging the aerosol-forming article with the fixation means, respectively for engaging the fixation means with the aerosol-forming article, a user may manually push or move the aerosol-forming article towards a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming device is in the open position or when the first and / or second housing parts are at least displaced from the use position towards the open position. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming article may be engaged with the fixation means by moving the second and / or first housing parts from the open position towards or into the use position. Optionally, the aerosol-forming article may be manually released from the fixation means by a user, when the second and / or first housing parts are in the open position or at least displaced from the use position towards the open position.

[0435] The fixation means may be configured to engage with the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is insertable into the heating chamber of the first housing part based on movement or displacement of the second and / or first housing part from the open position towards or into the use position. Such configuration or design can allow for an intuitive and safe handling of an aerosol-forming article by a user, for example allowing to securely insert the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber without risk of damaging the article. Also, handling or operation for the user may be simplified, because insertion of the comparatively small aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber may be cumbersome, at least for some users.

[0436] The fixation means may be configured to clamp the aerosol-forming article, for example at a proximal end thereof, such that the aerosol-forming article is at least partly pushed into the heating chamber of the first housing part by displacing the second housing part from the open position towards or into the use position.

[0437] A stop element may be arranged at the second housing part, which may limit movement of the aerosol-forming article in direction of the proximal end of the second housing part and / or of the aerosolforming article. For example, the stop element may push the aerosol-forming article towards the distal end of the aerosol-forming device, when the second housing part is moved or displaced from the open position towards the use position.

[0438] The fixation means may be configured to engage with the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is removable and / or releasable from the heating chamber of the first housing part based on or by displacing the second and / or first housing part from the use position to the open position. For instance, the aerosol-forming article may be manually removed from, for example pulled out of, the heating chamber. Alternatively, the fixation means may be configured to clamp the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is pulled out of the heating chamber of the first housing part by the fixation means based on or by displacing the second and / or first housing part from the use position to the open position. Hence, the aerosol-forming article may be safely removed from the heating chamber by displacing the second and / or first housing part, for example the second housing part towards the proximal end and / or the first housing part towards the distal end of the aerosol-forming device. This can be in particular advantageous when removing the aerosol-forming article right after a usage session, because the article may still have an elevated temperature and may thus not be comfortably removed manually by a user. Also, handling or operation for the user may be simplified.

[0439] The fixation means may be configured to engage with an end portion of the aerosol-forming article. In particular, the fixation means may be configured to engage with a proximal end of the aerosol-forming article. For example, the fixation means may be configured to only engage with the end portion of the aerosol-forming article. Accordingly, only the surface at an end portion of the aerosol-forming article may be in contact with and / or may be covered by the fixation means, such that the remaining surface of the aerosol-forming article can be used for heating the aerosol-forming article.

[0440] The fixation means may be configured to at least partly surround an end portion, for example a proximal end, of the aerosol-forming article along at least a part of a perimeter of the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is fixed relative to the second housing part. For example, the fixation means may be shaped or formed in correspondence with a shape of the end portion of the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article may be received by the fixation means and at least partly encompassed by the fixation means along its perimeter or outer circumference.

[0441] The fixation means may, for example, include a recess configured to receive an end portion of the aerosol-forming article, such that the aerosol-forming article is fixed relative to the second housing part. For example, the recess may be formed to at least partly surround and / or encompass the end portion of the aerosol-forming article. The fixation means may comprise one or more fixation brackets configured to clamp and / or clamphold the aerosol-forming article, in particular an end portion thereof. The one or more fixation brackets may be manufactured from metal, plastic material, ceramics material, composite material or other material. Using one or more brackets, which may also be referred to herein as clamps or clamp elements, can allow to provide for a robust and reliable coupling of the aerosol-forming article and the second housing part. Also, a size of the fixation means may be reduced compared to other solutions or designs. Further, a contact surface between the one or more brackets and the aerosol-forming article may advantageously be reduced or optimized.

[0442] In an example, the fixation means may comprise at least two opposing fixation brackets, wherein the at least two fixation brackets are spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, such that an end portion of the aerosol-forming article is receivable between the fixation brackets. By using at least two opposing fixation brackets, a contact surface between the aerosol-forming article and the brackets can be reduced, while also providing a reliable and robust mechanical coupling or fixation.

[0443] The at least two fixation brackets may, for example, be arranged and / or configured to contact the aerosol-forming article at two opposing lateral faces or surfaces, which are also referred to herein as two opposing side faces or surfaces, of the aerosol-forming article. In particular, the at least two fixation brackets may be spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction parallel to a transverse axis of the aerosolforming device. The transverse direction parallel to the transverse axis of the device may be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and to a normal or vertical axis of the aerosol-forming device. Optionally, the opposing lateral faces of the aerosol-forming article may be substantially flat.

[0444] For example, the aerosol-forming article may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming article may be plate-like or cuboid formed. The aerosolforming article may comprise two opposing main surfaces, which may be substantially flat. When the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device, a surface normal vector of the two opposing main surfaces may be parallel to the normal axis of the aerosol-forming device. Further, the aerosol-forming article may comprise two end faces or surfaces, in particular substantially flat end faces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device. The two end faces or surfaces may form the smallest surfaces of the aerosol-forming article. Moreover, the aerosol-forming article may comprise two lateral faces, in particular substantially flat lateral faces or surfaces, which are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart from each other in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device. Accordingly, each of the lateral faces of the aerosol-forming article may have a surface normal vector substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the aerosol-forming device, when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the aerosol-forming device.

[0445] In an example, each of the fixation brackets of the fixation means may be spring-loaded towards a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device, such that receipt of the aerosol-forming article between the fixation brackets creates a clamping retention fixing the aerosol-forming article between the fixation brackets. Spring-loading the at least two fixation brackets may allow to create higher clamp forces compared to non-spring-loaded brackets. As a consequence, a contact surface between the fixation brackets and the aerosol-forming article can further be reduced or optimized. In an exemplary configuration, each of the one or more fixation brackets may be curved towards a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device. When inserting an aerosol-forming article between the fixation brackets, the brackets may at least partly be pushed outwards and / or away from each other to create a clamp force fixing or holding the aerosol-forming article in place.

[0446] The heating chamber may be configured to receive the aerosol-forming article along the longitudinal direction. The heating chamber may be interchangeably or synonymously used herein with “heating cavity” or “cavity”. For instance, the heating chamber may be arranged such that the aerosol-forming article is insertable into the heating chamber along the longitudinal direction. Alternatively or additionally, the heating chamber may be arranged such that the aerosol-forming article is removable from the heating chamber in the opposite direction. In an example, the heating chamber may include an opening, which may be revealed or uncovered when the second and / or first housing part is moved to or located in the open position. The aerosol-forming article may then be inserted into the heating chamber via the opening by pushing the aerosol-forming article along the longitudinal direction, respectively, along the insertion direction, towards the distal end of the aerosol-forming device. Vice versa, the aerosol-forming article may be pulled out of the heating chamber via the opening in an opposite direction towards a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device.

[0447] In an exemplary configuration, the second housing part may be coupled to the first housing part in a sliding relationship. In other words, the second housing part may be slidably coupled to the first housing part. Accordingly, the first housing part and the second housing part may be slid or displaced relative to each other from the open position into the use position, for example based on sliding the second housing part towards the distal end of the aerosol-forming device, and / or based on sliding the first housing part towards the proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively or additionally, the first housing part and the second housing part may be slid or displaced relative to each other from the use position into the open position, for example based on sliding the second housing part towards the proximal end of the aerosol-forming device, and / or based on sliding the first housing part towards the distal end. A slidable coupling between the first and second housing parts can allow for an intuitive and comfortable handling, which may even allow for one-handed operation by a user. Also, slidable couplings may provide a robust and reliable mechanical fixation, thereby increasing the lifetime of the aerosol-forming device.

[0448] In an example, a relative displacement or movement of the first housing part and the second housing part between the use position and the open position may be such that the aerosol-forming article is fully removable or can be fully removed in the open position of the aerosol-forming device. For example, when the first and second housing parts are slid to the open position, at least a part of the aerosol-forming article may be revealed, such that user may remove the article from the heating chamber. Alternatively or additionally, when the first and second housing parts are slid to the open position, the heating chamber may be accessible, such that the user may insert an aerosol-forming article at least partly into the heating chamber.

[0449] For example, the relative displacement of the first housing part and the second housing part between the use position and the open position may be in a range between 20 mm and 50 mm. Accordingly, the first housing part may be displaced or moved, relative to the second housing part, between the open position and the use position by a distance of about 20 mm to about 50 mm. Vice versa the second housing part may be displaced or moved, relative to the first housing part, between the open position and the use position by a distance of about 20 mm to about 50 mm. The first housing part may comprise one or more first slide means and the second housing part may comprise one or more second slide means, wherein each of the one or more second slide means may be configured to at least partly engage with a respective one of the one or more first slide means, such that the second housing part is slidably coupled to the first housing part. For example, the first and second slide means may be formed to cooperate with each other, such that the first and second housing parts are mechanically or slidably coupled to each other. For instance, the first and second slide means may be shaped in correspondence with each other. The first slide means may also be referred to as a sliding mount. The second slide means may also be referred to as sliding frame.

[0450] In an example, the first slide means may comprise or may be shaped as compartment in the first housing part, wherein the second slide means may be slidably arranged, accommodated or received within the compartment. For example, the second slide means may be slidably insertable via an opening of the compartment.

[0451] In another example, the first slide means may comprise one or more protrusions and the second slide means may comprise one or more grooves configured to slidably receive the first slide means therein. Alternatively, the second slide means may comprise one or more protrusions and the first slide means may comprise one or more grooves configured to slidably receive the second slide means therein.

[0452] The second housing part may further comprise a support element or guide configured to support and / or hold the aerosol-forming article, wherein, in the open position of the second housing part, the support element protrudes from an end of the second housing part, in particular from a distal end of the second housing part, along the longitudinal axis or direction towards the first housing part. By means of the support element, controlled insertion of the aerosol-forming article into the heating chamber based on displacement of the second housing part towards the use position may be provided.

[0453] A length of the support element, which may be measured along the longitudinal axis or direction of the aerosol-forming device may be such that at least a part of a main surface or face of the aerosol-forming article can be supported by the support element. For instance, the length of the support element may be in the range of about 20 mm to about 50 mm

[0454] For example, the support element may be slidably arranged at the first housing part. For example, the support element may be at least partly insertable into a compartment of the first housing part.

[0455] Optionally, the support element may comprise one or more slide protrusions configured to slidably engage with one or more slide grooves of the first housing part. Alternatively, the support element may comprise one or more slide grooves configured to slidably engage with one or more slide protrusions of the first housing part. The slide protrusions and the slide grooves may also be referred to herein as first and second slide means.

[0456] When the second and / or first housing part is located in the use position, the support element may form a rear wall of a housing of the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively, the rear wall may be provided by a part of the first housing part, wherein the support element may be at least partly inserted into a compartment of the first housing part, when the second and / or first housing part is located in the use position.

[0457] In an example, the support element may be configured to support a plate-like or cuboid formed aerosol-forming article. In particular, the support element may comprise and / or define a substantially flat support area configured to support and / or hold the plate-like or cuboid formed aerosol-forming article. For instance, the support element may comprise or define a substantially flat support area configured to support or receive a substantially flat surface of the aerosol-forming article, in particular one of the main surfaces or faces of the plate-like or cuboid aerosol-forming article.

[0458] The support element may optionally include a guide for supporting a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped, plate-like or cuboid formed aerosol-forming article. For example, the guide may be configured to clamp hold the aerosol-forming article between two guide elements of the guide. Accordingly, the guide may comprise two opposing guide elements which may be spaced apart from each other in transverse direction of the aerosol-forming device, such that the guide and / or the two guide elements fix, contact and / or hold the aerosol-forming article on at least two opposing sides of the aerosol-forming article. In particular, the guide may be configured to fix, contact and / or hold the aerosol-forming article on two opposing lateral sides or faces of the aerosol-forming article. By means of the guide, the aerosol-forming article may be laterally fixed and securely guided into the heating chamber, when displacing the second housing part from the open position towards the use position.

[0459] In an exemplary configuration, the guide may comprise a depression or recess for receiving the aerosol-forming article, for example for receiving a substantially flat main surface of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped or cuboid aerosol-forming article. For example, the depression may define a substantially flat support area configured to support and / or hold a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped, plate-like or cuboid formed aerosol-forming article, in particular to support a substantially flat main surface of the cuboid aerosol-forming article.

[0460] The second housing part may further include a mouthpiece configured to deliver aerosol to the mouth of a user. The mouthpiece may at least partly be inserted into a user’s mouth during aerosol consumption. A mouthpiece may generally be advantageous in terms of hygiene or cleanability. Also, aerosol generated based on heating the aerosol-forming article may be cooled on its way through the mouthpiece and / or may be mixed with air, which can increase comfort and taste for the user.

[0461] The mouthpiece may be configured to be replaceable and / or may be removably fastened to the second housing part. A replaceable mouthpiece may be of particular advantage in terms of hygiene. Also, a particular aerosol-forming device may be shared by a plurality of users, each having its own mouthpiece.

[0462] In an example, the mouthpiece may be at least partly retractable into and / or extractable out of the second housing part. By retracting the mouthpiece into the second housing part and / or into the housing of the aerosol-forming device, the mouthpiece may be protected against dirt or other substances when the device is not being used for aerosol consumption.

[0463] The mouthpiece may for example be retracted into the housing by displacing the mouthpiece along the longitudinal direction towards the distal end of the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively or additionally, the mouthpiece may be extracted from the housing by displacing the mouthpiece in opposite direction towards the proximal end of the aerosol-forming device.

[0464] In an example, the mouthpiece may be coupled to the second housing part, such that displacement of the second housing part from the open position into the use position extracts the mouthpiece from the second housing part. Alternatively or additionally, the mouthpiece may be coupled to the second housing part, such that displacement of the second housing part from the use position into the open position retracts the mouthpiece into the second housing part.

[0465] The mouthpiece may be at least partly retractable into and / or extractable from the second housing part based on actuating a mouthpiece actuator or slider movably arranged on the second housing part or the first housing part. In other words, the aerosol-forming device may comprise a mouthpiece actuator or slider that is actuatable by user to extract the mouthpiece from the second housing part and / or to retract it into the second housing part. For example, the mouthpiece actuator may be displaceable along the longitudinal direction and in a direction opposite thereto to retract and extract the mouthpiece. Alternatively or additionally, the mouthpiece actuator may be arranged at the first housing part or at the second housing part, and the mouthpiece actuator may be actuatable by a user to slide the mouthpiece out of the second housing part and / or to retract the mouthpiece into the second housing part.

[0466] When the second housing part is in the open position, retraction of the mouthpiece into the second housing part may disengage and / or release the aerosol-forming article from the fixation means. This may provide for a simplified handling for the user allowing to simultaneously release or disengage the aerosolforming article from the fixation means and retract the mouthpiece into the second housing part, for example for storing the aerosol-forming device.

[0467] The second housing part or the first housing part may include a mouthpiece actuator actuatable by a user to slide the mouthpiece out of the second housing part and / or to retract the mouthpiece into the second housing part. The mouthpiece actuator may for example be linearly displaceable by the user, for example along the longitudinal direction or transverse thereto. Accordingly, the mouthpiece actuator may be configured as linear slider that may be slidable by a user to retract or extract the mouthpiece. Alternatively to a linearly displaceable actuator, other actuation means, such as a push button or rotational actuator may be used.

[0468] The aerosol-forming device may further comprise an aerosol-forming article receivable in the heating chamber to generate aerosol. For example, the aerosol-forming device may be configured to generate aerosol based on heating at least a part of the aerosol-forming article.

[0469] For heating the aerosol-forming article, the aerosol-forming device may comprise one or more heating elements. Exemplary heating elements can be based on one or more of resistive heating, inductive heating and microwave heating, for example using electrical energy supplied via, drawn from or stored in an energy storage of the aerosol-forming device, or received from an external power or energy source. It is noted that alternatively or additionally heating of the aerosol-forming article other aerosol generating means can be used, for example a non-thermal aerosol generator.

[0470] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming or aerosol-generating system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device, for example any of the aerosol-forming device described herein, and a companion device configured to charge and / or at least partly receive the aerosol-forming device, for example in a cavity or compartment arranged in a housing of the companion device.

[0471] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to use of an aerosol-forming device according and / or an aerosol-forming system as described herein for aerosol consumption, for example in one or more usage sessions.

[0472] A usage session, also referred to as an “experience” or an “experience session”, may have a particular start, an end and a duration. The start and / or end may be initiated or triggered by the user, for example based on actuating a user interface of the aerosol-forming device or system. A usage session may generally be characterized by the aerosol-forming device being operated to heat at least a part of an aerosol-forming article, for example above a threshold temperature or heating temperature sufficient to release aerosol, for example nicotine-containing aerosol, from the aerosol-forming article, which may be inhaled by the user. Optionally, a usage session may be interrupted or paused by a user, for example based on actuating a user interface of the aerosol-forming system or device and / or based on configuring the aerosol-forming system or device in a pause mode.

[0473] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of loading an aerosol-forming article into an aerosol-forming device or system, for example loading an aerosol-forming article into a heating chamber of an aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may refer to any aerosol-forming device described herein. In particular, the aerosol-forming device can comprise a first housing part, which includes the heating chamber, and a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part, such that the second housing part is movable relative to the first housing part along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. The method may comprise moving and / or displacing the second and / or first housing part from a use position, in which the heating chamber is covered by the second housing part, towards or into an open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article. The method further comprises inserting the aerosol-forming article at least partly into the heating chamber, and moving the second and / or first housing part from the open position into the use position, thereby at least partly engaging the aerosol-forming article with a fixation means arranged at the second housing part, such that the aerosol-forming article is pushed by the relative movement of the first and second housing parts completely into the heating chamber.

[0474] In an example, the method may further comprise moving the second housing part from the use position into the open position, thereby pulling the aerosol-forming article engaged with the fixation means of the second housing part out of the heating chamber.

[0475] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device including a device housing and a mouthpiece. The device housing may also be referred to herein as housing of the aerosol-forming device. The device housing includes a storage chamber for storing or accommodating the mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece is movable between a storage position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly arranged inside the storage chamber, and a use or extracted position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly displaced from the storage position and at least partly protrudes from the device housing, for example at a proximal end of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device includes an actuator, also referred to herein as mouthpiece actuator, which is movably arranged on the device housing, the actuator or mouthpiece being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the movement of the mouthpiece between the storage position and the use position is actuatable by the movement of the actuator between the first position and the second position. Further, a heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device is arranged in the device housing, the heating chamber being configured to heat an aerosol-forming article or substrate, wherein an airflow channel is provided in the device housing, wherein the airflow channel is configured to conduct aerosol from the heating chamber through the mouthpiece for inhalation by a user, and wherein downstream of the heating chamber, the airflow channel includes at least one air inlet channel in the device housing, the at least one air inlet channel being configured to provide a fluid coupling or connection between the airflow channel and an outside environment of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the at least one air inlet channel is configured to provide an air flow from the outside environment into the airflow channel, wherein the air inlet channel is blocked when the mouthpiece is in the storage position and open when the mouthpiece is in the use position.

[0476] Accordingly, when in the open or extracted position, air can be drawn through the air inlet channel, which may be mixed with an airflow from or through the aerosol-forming article. Hence, aerosol content in the airflow or air passed through the mouthpiece may be reduced or homogenized, which may be beneficial in terms of user experience.

[0477] In the storage position, the mouthpiece may be arranged inside the storage chamber and may be arranged flush with an outer contour of the device housing. Accordingly, the mouthpiece may be completely retracted into the device housing, for example into a mouthpiece portion, second housing part or downstream element of the housing. Hence, the mouthpiece may be protected against dirt and damage, for example.

[0478] The air inlet channel may be connected to a nucleation chamber, wherein the nucleation chamber may be a part of the airflow channel downstream of the heating chamber having an increased inner diameter in comparison to parts of the airflow channel upstream and / or downstream of the nucleation chamber. By means of the nucleation chamber, a mixing with air drawn from the air inlet channel may be provided, which may be beneficial in terms of user experience.

[0479] The mouthpiece may include a locking device configured to provide a resistance against a movement of the mouthpiece out of the storage position and / or out of the use position. Hence, extraction or retraction by mistake of the mouthpiece may be avoided.

[0480] The locking device may include at least one magnet. Other means for providing resistance against movement of the mouthpiece may be used instead or in addition thereto.

[0481] The mouthpiece may include a sealing device configured to provide an airtight sealing between a part of the airflow channel in the mouthpiece and a part of the airflow channel in the device housing. Accordingly, by means of the sealing device, the airflow channel in the device housing and in the mouthpiece may be separated from one another.

[0482] The sealing device may include a sealing ring or O-ring and the locking device may include at least one groove in the mouthpiece and / orthe device housing, for example in a part of the device housing forming the airflow channel. Therein, the movement of the mouthpiece between the storage position and the use position may actuate or cause a movement of the sealing ring and the groove relative to each other. By means of the sealing ring and the groove, the resistance against a movement of the mouthpiece out of the storage position and / or out of the use position may be provided. Also, reliable sealing may be ensured.

[0483] For example, the sealing ring may be arranged in a use position groove when the mouthpiece is in the use position and / or the sealing ring may be arranged in a storage position groove when the mouthpiece is in the storage position. For example, the sealing ring may be displaced from the storage position groove to the use position groove when moving the mouthpiece from the storage to the use position. Vice versa, the sealing ring may be displaced from the use position groove to the storage position groove when moving the mouthpiece from the use to the storage position.

[0484] The mouthpiece may be removably attached to the device housing. Accordingly, the mouthpiece may be removed or replaced. This may be beneficial in terms of hygiene.

[0485] The movement of the mouthpiece between the storage position and the use position and / or the movement of the actuator or mouthpiece actuator between the first position and the second position may be a linear sliding motion. Accordingly, the actuator or mouthpiece actuator may be or include a linear slider that may be linearly slidable between the first and second position, for example along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming device or transverse thereto. The heating chamber and the storage chamber may be arranged adjacent to each other and partly overlap, so that an aerosol-forming article or substrate received in the heating chamber at least partly protrudes into the storage chamber. Hence, the article may be efficiently heated.

[0486] The mouthpiece can be configured so that the movement of the mouthpiece from the use position to the storage position displaces the aerosol-forming article or substrate from the storage chamber.

[0487] For example, the mouthpiece may be configured so that the loading of the aerosol-forming article or substrate at least partly into the heating chamber displaces the mouthpiece from the storage position towards the use position. Accordingly, by moving the article into the heating chamber, the mouthpiece may be extracted to the use position.

[0488] The aerosol-forming device may further comprise an aerosol-forming article or substrate, preferably wherein the aerosol-forming device is configured to generate aerosol based on heating at least a part of the aerosol-forming substrate or article.

[0489] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device as described herein and a companion device configured to charge the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy. The companion device may be configured store and / or at least partly receive the aerosol-forming device, for example in a cavity or compartment thereof.

[0490] The aerosol-forming device and the companion device may each include at least one energy storage, the companion device being configured to charge the energy storage of the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy from the energy storage of the companion device, wherein a position sensor may be provided on the aerosol-forming device or the companion device, the position sensor being configured to detect the position of the mouthpiece in the storage position and / or the use position. Further, a switch device or switch may be provided on the aerosol-forming device or the companion device, the switch device being configured to direct power from the energy storage of the companion device to a heating device, also referred to herein as heater module, heating module, or heating structure of the aerosol-forming device, when the mouthpiece is in the use position.

[0491] For instance, the aerosol-forming device may be stored in the companion device and the mouthpiece may be extracted from the aerosol-device and / or from a casing of the companion device. Therein, energy may be supplied from the energy storage of the companion device to the heating device and / or may be used for heating the aerosol-forming article. As the battery or energy storage of the companion device may have a larger capacity compared to an energy storage of the aerosol-forming device, a larger number of usage sessions or experiences can be provided to the user.

[0492] Optionally, the switch device may be configured to direct power from the energy storage of the companion device to the energy storage of the aerosol-forming device when the mouthpiece is displaced from the use position or is in the storage position.

[0493] According to an aspect, there is provided a method of controlling air flow through an air inlet channel of an airflow channel in an aerosol-forming device, for example an aerosol-forming device as described herein. The air inlet channel may be arranged downstream of a heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device and provide a connection between the airflow channel and an outside environment. The method comprises moving a mouthpiece of the aerosol-forming device between a storage position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly arranged inside the storage chamber, and a use position, in which the mouthpiece is at least partly displaced from the storage position and at least partly protrudes from the device housing, by moving an actuator or mouthpiece actuator or slider between a first position and a second position. The method further comprises closing the air inlet channel when the mouthpiece is moved into the storage position, and opening the air inlet channel when the mouthpiece is moved into the use position.

[0494] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming device comprising a device housing with a first housing part and a second housing part. The device housing is also referred to herein a housing of the aerosol-forming device. The first housing part is also referred to herein as device body, and the second housing part is also referred to herein as mouthpiece portion or downstream element or part of the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device further comprises a housing actuator or actuator movably arranged on the first housing part, the housing actuator being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first housing part includes a heating chamber, wherein the heating chamber is configured to heat an aerosol-forming article or substrate and includes a loading opening, the loading opening being configured to receive the aerosol-forming article or substrate, for example along an insertion direction or longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device. Therein, the second housing part is fixed or hinged to the first housing part via a rotational joint or hinge and rotatably or pivotably movable between a use position, also referred to herein as sealing position, and an open position, also referred to herein as loading position, by movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position. Further, the second housing part covers the loading opening of the heating chamber, also referred to herein as opening of the heating chamber, in the use position, and wherein the second housing part is removed from the loading opening or opening of the heating chamber in the open position, for example such that the heating chamber is accessible to receive the aerosol-forming article via the opening or remove it therefrom.

[0495] Accordingly, when actuating the housing actuator from the first to the second position, the second housing part may be rotated or flipped via the rotational joint relative to the first housing part, thereby revealing or uncovering the opening or loading opening of the heating chamber allowing to insert an aerosol-forming article thereinto or remove it therefrom. Further, when actuating the housing actuator from the second to the first position, the second housing part may be rotated or flipped via the rotational joint relative to the first housing part, thereby covering the opening or loading opening, for example to allow for a usage session or experience. Hence, a user-friendly and robust actuation mechanism may be provided.

[0496] The movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position may be mechanically translated into the movement of the second housing part between the use position and the open position.

[0497] For example, the movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position may be a linear movement, in particular a linear sliding movement. Accordingly, the housing actuator may include a linear slider that may be linearly slidable, for example along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device or transverse thereto.

[0498] The housing actuator may include a linearly moveable worm or rack and the second housing part may comprise a gear or pinion, the gear or pinion being rotatable about a rotational axis of the rotational joint. Further, the worm or rack may mesh with the gear or pinion during movement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position. By means of the worm or rack, a robust connection may be provided that allows to translate the linear movement of the housing actuator into a rotational movement of the second housing part relative to the first housing part. Therein, the movement or displacement of the housing actuator between the first position and the second position may be transverse, for example orthogonal or perpendicular, to a rotational axis of the rotational joint. Hence, a compact device may be provided.

[0499] The first housing part may have an elongated shape, for example a substantially cylindrical shape, and the second housing part, in the use position, may be arranged flush with the first housing part and may extend or continue the shape of the first housing part, for example in a tapered manner. This may allow for a comfortable handling by a user and small footprint of the device, in particular when in the use position.

[0500] The second housing part may include a mouthpiece configured to deliver aerosol to the mouth of a user. In other words, aerosol or air containing aerosol may be passed through the mouthpiece to a user’s mouth.

[0501] The mouthpiece may be configured to be replaceable and / or may be removably fastened to the second housing part. Hence, the mouthpiece may be removed or replaced, which may be beneficial in terms of hygiene.

[0502] The mouthpiece may be at least partly retractable into and / or extractable out of the second housing part, for example based on actuating a mouthpiece actuator or slider movably arranged on the second housing part or the first housing part.

[0503] The second housing part may include at least a part of an airflow channel connected to the heating chamber.

[0504] For example, the first housing part and / or the second housing part may include a sealing device, for example a sealing lip or ring, configured to connect an airflow channel included in the second housing part to an airflow channel and / or the heating chamber in the first housing part.

[0505] The second housing part may further include a piercing connector configured to be at least partly piercingly insertable into the aerosol-forming article or substrate. Via the piercing connector, a fluidic connection may be established. The piercing connector may also be referred to herein as blade structure of a fluidic interconnection element.

[0506] The piercing connector, blade structure and / or fluidic interconnection element may comprise a circumferential insertion edge, preferably wherein the circumferential insertion edge is at least partly sharpened orthe entire circumferential insertion edge is sharpened. The piercing connector, blade structure and / or fluidic interconnection element may at least partly cut and / or press into an aerosol-forming article, for example to provide a fluidic coupling or seal.

[0507] The device housing may include a locking means configured to lock the second housing part in the use position and / or in the open position. By using the locking means, a displacement between the use and open position by mistake may be avoided.

[0508] In an example, the device housing may include a spring-load, and the second housing part may be spring-loaded by the spring-load to stay in the use position and / or in the open position.

[0509] The aerosol-forming device may further comprise an aerosol-forming article or substrate, preferably wherein the aerosol-forming device is configured to generate aerosol based on heating at least a part of the aerosol-forming substrate or article.

[0510] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-forming system, the system including at least one aerosol-forming device as described herein and a companion device configured to charge the aerosol-forming device with electrical energy. The companion device may be configured store and / or at least partly receive the aerosol-forming device, for example in a cavity or compartment thereof.

[0511] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of loading an aerosol-forming article or substrate into an aerosol-forming device, for example into a heating chamber of an aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may include a device housing including a first housing part and a second housing part, the second housing part being fixed to the first housing part via a rotational joint. The method comprises moving a housing actuator on the first housing part from a first position into a second position, translating the movement of the housing actuator between the first and second positions into a rotation of the second housing part from a use position, in which the second housing part covers a loading opening or opening of the heating chamber, into an open position, in which the second housing part is removed from the loading opening of the heating chamber.

[0512] The method may further comprise inserting an aerosol-forming article or substrate into the heating chamberth rough the loading opening, moving the housing actuator on the first housing part from the second position into the first position, and translating the movement of the housing actuator between the second position and first position into a rotation of the second housing part from the open position to the use position.

[0513] Aerosol-generating systems comprising aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating articles according to the present disclosure

[0514] According to the present disclosure, an aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol-generating device as disclosed herein and an aerosol-generating article as disclosed herein. The system may comprise a plurality of such articles for use with the aerosol-generating device.

[0515] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating article comprises an at least one aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article is defined by an article length, an article width, and an article thickness, the article length and the article width being at least two times the article thickness. The aerosol-generating device comprises a heating chamber for receiving at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device comprises at least one heater, the at least one heater defining a heating zone in the heating chamber. When the aerosol-generating article is fully received in the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device, between 10 and 90 percent, preferably between 20 and 80 percent, of a total mass of the at least one aerosol-forming substrate is located within the heating zone.

[0516] Advantageously, by having only up to 80 percent of the total mass of the at least one aerosol-forming substrate located within the heating zone when the aerosol-generating article is fully received in the heating chamber, when the heater is first switched on, a greater proportion of the heat energy provided by the heater is transferred to a smaller mass of aerosol-forming material, compared with a system where 100 percent of the total mass of the at least one aerosol-forming substrate is located within the heating zone. This means that the portion of the aerosol-forming substrate in the heating zone is able to reach a sufficiently high temperature to form an aerosol sooner. In addition, the portion of the at least one aerosolforming substrate outside the heating zone may take longer to reach a sufficiently high temperature to form an aerosol. Thus, this portion of the at least one aerosol-forming substrate outside the heating zone may be able to release a high quality aerosol later during a usage session of the aerosol-generating system. Thus, the system may reduce a time to first puff and delay depletion of the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating chamber may, or may not, receive an entirety of the article. Therefore, references to the article being fully received in the heating chamber do not refer to the entirety of the article being received in the heating chamber. Rather, references to the article being fully received in the heating chamber may refer to the article being received in the heating chamber to the greatest extent the article can be received in the heating chamber.

[0517] The at least one heater may comprise all heaters of the device, or all heaters of the device which are configured to heat the at least one aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. The heating zone may be defined by all heaters of the device, or all heaters of the device which are configured to heat the at least one aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. The at least one aerosol-forming substrate may comprise all aerosol-forming material in the article, or all of the aerosol-forming material in the article which is configured to be heated during a usage session. The only aerosol-forming material in the article may be the at least one aerosol-forming substrate.

[0518] The system may be configured such that, during use, for example over the course of an entire usage session, a portion of the at least one aerosol-forming substrate, for example at least 20 or 30 percent of the total mass of the aerosol-forming substrate, is never located within the heating zone.

[0519] Optionally, the at least one heater is or comprises at least one substantially flat or planar heater. Optionally, the at least one heater comprises a heating surface, for example a substantially flat or planar heating surface. The heating surface may be, or be adjacent to, an internal surface of the heating chamber. Advantageously, a flat or planar heating surface may efficiently transfer heat to a substantially flat or planar aerosol-forming substrate.

[0520] Optionally, when the aerosol-generating article is fully received in the heating chamber of the aerosolgenerating device, at least 30, 40, 50, or 60 percent of the total mass of the at least one aerosol-forming substrate is located within the heating zone. Optionally, when the aerosol-generating article is fully received in the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device, nor more than 70, 60, 50 or 40 percent of the total mass of the at least one aerosol-forming substrate is located within the heating zone. It may be particularly preferable that, when the aerosol-generating article is fully received in the heating chamber of the aerosolgenerating device, at least 55 percent, for example between 55 and 70 percent, of the total mass of the at least one aerosol-forming substrate is located within the heating zone. It has been found that this range may provide a quick time to first puff and a suitable delay to the formation of aerosol from the substrate outside of the heating zone.

[0521] Optionally, when the aerosol-generating article is fully received in the heating chamber of the aerosolgenerating device at least 80 or 90 percent, for example 100 percent, of a most upstream half or quarter of the total mass of the at least one aerosol-forming substrate is located within the heating zone. It may be advantageous to locate an upstream portion of the substrate in the heating zone because warm air or aerosol from upstream may flow through or past a downstream portion of the substrate. This may advantageously help to warm the downstream portion of the substrate, particularly if that portion is located outside the heating zone.

[0522] Optionally, when the aerosol-generating article is fully received in the heating chamber of the aerosolgenerating device at least 80 or 90 percent, for example 100 percent, of a most downstream half of the total mass of the at least one aeroso...

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosolgenerating device configured to engage with the aerosol-generating article to form an inhalable aerosol, in which; the aerosol-generating article has an article body defined by a first article dimension, a second article dimension perpendicular to the first article dimension, and an article thickness perpendicular to both the first article dimension and the second article dimension, in which the aerosol-generating device comprises a closable cavity having a minimal cavity length extending, when the cavity is closed, between a cavity airflow inlet and a cavity airflow outlet, the cavity further defined by a cavity width perpendicular to the minimal cavity length, extending between a left side wall of the cavity and a right side wall of the cavity, and a cavity height perpendicular to both the cavity depth and cavity width, the cavity height extending between a lower wall of the cavity and an upper wall of the cavity, the cavity being accessible via a closable opening having a width and a height; in which the aerosol-generating article is configured to be inserted into the cavity in the direction of its first article dimension, and in which the cavity width is no more than 30% greater than the second article dimension and the minimal cavity length, when the cavity is closed, is no more than 10% greater than the first article dimension.

2. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 in which; an airflow path is defined through the article body between an article airflow inlet and an article airflow outlet; in which the cavity airflow inlet is configured to align with the article airflow inlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, such that air flowing through the cavity inlet flows through the article airflow inlet into the aerosol-generating article.

3. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 or 2 in which the aerosol-generating device comprises a main air inlet for receiving an airflow from the outside into an upstream airflow path and a downstream airflow path for delivering the inhalable aerosol to an aerosol outlet, in which the cavity airflow inlet comprises an upstream fluidic interconnection element configured to fluidically interconnect the upstream airflow path with the aerosol-generating article, and the cavity airflow outlet comprises a downstream fluidic interconnection configured to fluidically interconnect the aerosol-generating article with the downstream airflow path, for example in which the cavity of the device is a heating chamber.

4. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the cavity airflow inlet is configured to engage with the article airflow inlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, such that air flowing through the cavity inlet flows through the article inlet into the aerosolgenerating article.

5. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which a protruding portion, for example a rim, of the article airflow inlet mates with a portion of the cavity airflow inlet, for example a recessed portion or a compressible portion of the cavity airflow inlet, when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, and / or in which a protruding portion, for example a rim, of the cavity airflowinlet mates with a portion of the article airflow inlet, for example a recessed portion or a compressible portion of the article airflow inlet, when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

6. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which a sealed airflow path is formed from the cavity inlet into the airflow path of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosolgenerating article is received within the cavity.

7. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the device comprises an openable cavity closure configured to close the cavity when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

8. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the cavity airflow outlet is configured to align with the article airflow outlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, such that air flowing through the aerosol-generating article flows out of the cavity through the article airflow outlet, for example into the downstream airflow path, for example in which the cavity airflow outlet is defined through the cavity closure.

9. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which at least one surface of the aerosol-generating article comprises a lubricant, for example a wax, to facilitate insertion and extraction of the aerosol-generating article into the aerosol-generating device.

10. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the cavity airflow outlet is configured to engage with the article airflow outlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, such that air flowing through the cavity inlet, for example from the upstream airflow path, flows through the article inlet into the aerosol-generating article.

11. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which a protruding portion, for example a rim, of the article airflow outlet mates with a portion of the cavity airflow outlet, for example a recessed portion or a compressible portion of the cavity airflow outlet, when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity, and / or in which a protruding portion, for example a rim, of the cavity airflow outlet mates with a portion of the article airflow outlet, for example a recessed portion or a compressible portion of the article airflow outlet, when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

12. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which a sealed airflow path is formed from the article airflow outlet and through the cavity airflow outlet when the aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity.

13. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the device further comprises a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece being in fluid communication with a, or the, cavity airflow outlet, for example in which the mouthpiece comprises the aerosol outlet of the device, for example in which the mouthpiece is coupled to, or an integral part of, a cavity closure or cover.

14. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the cavity width is no more than 15% greater, for example no more than 10 % greater, or no more than 5% greater, than the second article dimension and the minimal cavity length, when the cavity is closed, is no more than 10%greater, for example no more than 5% greater, or nor more than 2% greater, or no greater, than the first article dimension.

15. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the first article dimension is an article width and the second article dimension is an article length, or in which the first article dimension is an article length and the second article dimension is an article width.

16. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the aerosol-generating device comprises a heating means, for example a heater, configured to heat the aerosol-generating article when the article is received within the cavity, preferably in which at least a portion of the heater is located within the cavity.

17. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the aerosol-generating article is removably retained within the cavity by a retaining means or retaining mechanism, for example a retaining means or retaining mechanism located within the cavity, for example a retaining means or retaining mechanism that grips the aerosol-generating article when the article is inserted into the cavity.

18. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 17 in which the aerosol-generating article is retained within the cavity by interaction between the article and upper and lower walls of the cavity, for example in which at least a portion of upper and lower walls of the cavity are spaced by less than the thickness of the article and deflect when the article is inserted into the cavity, gripping the article.

19. An aerosol-generating system according to claim 17 in which the aerosol-generating article is retained within the cavity by interaction between at least one heater located in the cavity and the article, for example in which a heater is located on or adjacent to at least one of the upper and lower walls of the cavity, the heater or heaters deflecting when the article is inserted into the cavity, gripping the article, for example in which heaters are located adjacent both upper and lower walls of the cavity and in which a minimal cavity thickness is defined by the distance between the heaters, in which the minimal cavity distance is less than the thickness of the aerosol-generating article, for example between 5% and 20% less than the thickness of the aerosol-generating article20. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the first article dimension is greater than, or equal to, the second article dimension, in which the aerosol-generating article is substantially cuboid, or substantially parallelepiped.21 . An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the aerosol-generating article is substantially rectangular in plan view.

22. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim in which the article comprises: a first planar external surface; a second planar external surface; a cavity formed by the airflow channel; a frame positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface, the frame at least partially defining the cavity; one or more aerosol-generating substrates; andan air inlet and an air outlet, and an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet through the cavity.

23. An aerosol-generating system according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a length between 15 millimetres and 45 millimetres, for example between 25 millimetres and 35 millimetres, for example about 30 millimetres, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a width between3 millimetres and 17 millimetres, for example between 9 millimetres and 11 millimetres, for example about10 millimetres, and wherein the aerosol-generating article has a thickness between 1 millimetres and 5.5 millimetres, for example between 3 millimetres and 3.5 millimetres, for example about 3.1 millimetres.