Aerosol-generating article with a cavity containing germinable plant seeds

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising a cavity and one or more plant seeds disposed within the cavity.The present invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system.The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article. The present disclosure further relates to an aerosol-generating system. The present disclosure further relates to a method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for producing an inhalable vapour. Such a device may heat an aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate volatilise without combusting the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may form part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-forming article may further comprise a filter element. The aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article.

[0003] When an aerosol-generating article is consumed, a new aerosol-generating article is inserted into the aerosol-generating device. Typically, the consumed aerosol-generating article is discarded in a trash can. The accumulation of discarded aerosol-generating articles can have an impact on the ecosystem.

[0004] It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that has a reduced environmental impact after use. It would further be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that contributes to the development of environmental sustainability. It would further be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that is easy to manufacture. It would further be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that has low manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a cavity. One or more plant seeds may be disposed within the cavity.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating article comprising a cavity and one or more plant seeds disposed within the cavity.

[0007] Thereby, an aerosol-generating article may be provided that has a reduced environmental impact after use. An aerosol-generating article may be provided that contributes to the development of environmental sustainability. An aerosol-generating article may be provided that is easy to manufacture. An aerosol-generating article may be provided that has low manufacturing costs.

[0008] One or more of the plant seeds disposed within the cavity may have the ability to germinate. One or more of the plant seeds disposed within the cavity may have the ability to germinate. In other words, one or more of the plant seeds disposed within the cavity may be capable of growing. In other words, one or more of the plant seeds disposed within the cavity may be viable. Generally, if the seeds are capable of growing, they are viable and have the ability to germinate and grow.

[0009] Seeds of a plurality of plants may be disposed within the cavity, and at least 30 percent, preferably at least 40 percent, more preferably at least 50 percent, more preferably at least 60 percent, more preferably at least 70 percent, more preferably at least 80 percent, more preferably at least 85 percent, more preferably at least 90 percent, more preferably at least 95 percent of the seeds of the plurality of plants disposed within the cavity may be capable of germinating.

[0010] One or more of the plant seeds disposed within the cavity may be untreated seeds.One or more of the plant seeds disposed within the cavity may be untreated seeds.

[0011] One or more of the plant seeds disposed within the cavity may be whole seeds.One or more of the plant seeds disposed within the cavity may be whole seeds.

[0012] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first element and a second element arranged separately from and at a distance relative to the first element. The cavity may extend along the entire distance between the first element and the second element. During manufacture of the article, the cavity may be conveniently formed by an empty space created by providing a distance between the first element and the second element. A plant seed comprising an aerosol-generating article may be provided that is particularly simple to manufacture. An aerosol-generating article comprising a plant seed may be provided that has particularly low manufacturing costs.

[0013] The first element may be located upstream of the cavity. The first element may be a filter element. The first element may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. The first element may be a tobacco plug.

[0014] The second element may be located downstream of the cavity. The second element may be a filter element. The second element may be a mouthpiece filter.

[0015] One or both of the first and second elements may be packed cylindrical plugs. One or both of the first and second elements may be packed cylindrical filter plugs. Both the first and second elements may be cylindrical filter plugs uniformly packed with filter material.

[0016] One or both of the first and second components may comprise a biodegradable material. The biodegradable material may be selected from one or more of PLA (polylactic acid), cotton, cellulose acetate, hemp fiber, viscose, and jute. Cellulose acetate may advantageously biodegrade rapidly when placed in soil.

[0017] Some or all of the elements of the article that includes the filter material may include PLA as the only filter material.

[0018] The length of each of the first element, second element and cavity along the longitudinal axis of the article may be from 2 millimeters to 7 millimeters, preferably from 3 millimeters to 6 millimeters, and more preferably from 4 millimeters to 5 millimeters.

[0019] The length of the cavity along the longitudinal axis of the article may be at least 2 millimeters, preferably at least 3 millimeters, more preferably at least 4 millimeters, more preferably at least 5 millimeters. The length of the cavity along the longitudinal axis of the article may be about 4 millimeters. The length of the cavity along the longitudinal axis of the article may be about 5 millimeters. The length of the cavity along the longitudinal axis of the article may be 8% to 14% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article, preferably about 11% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article.

[0020] The inner diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article may be at least 2 millimeters, preferably at least 3 millimeters, more preferably at least 4 millimeters, more preferably at least 5 millimeters, more preferably at least 6 millimeters, more preferably at least 7 millimeters. The inner diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article may be about 7 millimeters.

[0021] The volume of the cavity may be between 10 cubic millimeters and 1000 cubic millimeters, preferably between 50 cubic millimeters and 500 cubic millimeters, more preferably between 150 cubic millimeters and 250 cubic millimeters, and more preferably the volume of the cavity is about 200 cubic millimeters.

[0022] The seeds may fill 1% to 99%, preferably 10% to 90%, more preferably 20% to 80%, more preferably 40% to 60%, and more preferably 45% to 55% of the total volume of the cavity. The seeds may fill about 50% of the total volume of the cavity.

[0023] The cavity may be filled with seeds at only 1% to 99%, preferably only 10% to 90%, more preferably only 20% to 80%, more preferably only 40% to 60%, and more preferably only 45% to 55% of the total volume of the cavity. The cavity may be filled with seeds at only about 50% of the total fill volume of the cavity. The total fill volume of the cavity refers to the maximum number of seeds of the plant that can fit into the cavity. When the total fill volume of the cavity is reached, no further seeds can fit into the cavity, although there may still be some empty space remaining between the seeds.

[0024] The cavity may be defined as the interior space of a hollow tubular element.

[0025] The hollow tubular elements may be made of cellulose acetate, PLA, cardboard, or wrapping paper.

[0026] The wall thickness of the hollow tubular element may be between 0.05 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.15 mm and 0.25 mm, or between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0027] The hollow tubular element may have a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, and optionally the hollow tubular element may be formed from PLA.

[0028] The hollow tubular element may have a thickness of between 0.05 millimeters and 0.25 millimeters, preferably about 0.2 millimeters, and optionally the hollow tubular element may be formed from wrapping paper.

[0029] The length of the hollow tubular element along the longitudinal axis of the article may be at least 2 millimeters, preferably at least 3 millimeters, more preferably at least 4 millimeters, more preferably at least 5 millimeters. The length of the hollow tubular element along the longitudinal axis of the article may be about 4 millimeters. The length of the hollow tubular element along the longitudinal axis of the article may be about 5 millimeters. The length of the hollow tubular element along the longitudinal axis of the article may be 8% to 14% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article, preferably about 11% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article.

[0030] The aerosol-generating article may comprise one or more vent holes. The vent holes may be arranged in one or more rows of vent holes. Each row of vent holes may be arranged circumferentially around the aerosol-generating article in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

[0031] One or more ventilation holes may be provided at the same longitudinal position of the article as the plant seed-holding cavity, which may advantageously enhance exposure of the plant seeds to air and / or moisture, which may advantageously promote germination of the plant seeds.

[0032] One or more ventilation holes may be provided at a longitudinal position of the article upstream of the cavity holding the plant seeds. This may enhance dilution of the hot airflow with cooler ambient air before the airflow reaches the plant seeds in the cavity. This may reduce the temperature of the airflow when it reaches the plant seeds. This may advantageously help to reduce or prevent thermal deterioration of the plant seeds.

[0033] All of the one or more ventilation holes in the article may be provided at a longitudinal position of the aerosol-generating article upstream of the cavity holding the plant seeds.All of the one or more ventilation holes in the article may be provided at a longitudinal position of the aerosol-generating article upstream of all of the seeds.

[0034] One or more vent holes may be provided at a location along the longitudinal axis of the article downstream of the cavity that holds the plant seeds.

[0035] The hollow tubular element may comprise one or more vent holes. The vent holes may be arranged in one or more rows of vent holes. Each row of vent holes may be arranged circumferentially around the hollow tubular element in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow tubular element.

[0036] Aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention may have a breathability level of at least 5 percent, preferably at least 10 percent, more preferably at least 15 percent, more preferably at least 20 percent, and more preferably at least 25 percent.

[0037] The term "ventilation level" is used throughout this specification to mean the volume ratio of the airflow entering the aerosol-generating article through the ventilation zone (ventilation airflow) to the sum of the aerosol airflow and the ventilation airflow. The higher the ventilation level, the higher the dilution of the aerosol stream delivered to the consumer. The aerosol-generating article preferably has a ventilation level of at least 25 percent, more preferably at least 30 percent, even more preferably at least 40 percent, and even more preferably at least 50 percent.

[0038] Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention may have a breathability level of up to 90 percent. Preferably, aerosol-generating articles according to the invention have a breathability level of no more than 80 percent, more preferably no more than 70 percent, and even more preferably no more than 60 percent.

[0039] Aerosol-generating articles according to the present invention may have a breathability level of between 25 percent and 90 percent, preferably between 30 percent and 80 percent, more preferably between 40 percent and 70 percent, and even more preferably between 50 percent and 60 percent.

[0040] The aerosol-generating article may include one or more ventilation holes at a longitudinal position of the article upstream of the cavity that holds the plant seeds, and the ventilation level of the article may be provided by one or more ventilation holes at a longitudinal position of the article upstream of the cavity that holds the plant seeds.

[0041] The cavity may be defined as the interior space of the first hollow tubular element, and the article may comprise at least one further hollow tubular element. One or more of the first hollow tubular element and the further hollow tubular element, or each of them, may be a hollow acetate tube (HAT) or a fine hollow acetate tube (FHAT). Such a hollow acetate tube is a cylindrical component made of cellulose acetate and provided with an axial hole disposed in the center. The dimensions of the hollow acetate tube, such as the outer diameter of the hollow acetate tube, or the diameter of the hole, may vary and be designed according to the requirements of the respective product.

[0042] The cavity may contain between 2 and 1000 plant seeds, preferably between 10 and 500 plant seeds, more preferably between 50 and 200 plant seeds, preferably between 75 and 125 plant seeds, more preferably between 85 and 115 plant seeds, more preferably between 90 and 110 plant seeds, more preferably between 95 and 105 plant seeds.

[0043] The one or more plant seeds may include one or more of basil seeds and catgrass seeds.

[0044] The aerosol-generating article may consist essentially of a biodegradable material selected from one or more of PLA, cotton, cellulose acetate, hemp fibers, viscose, and jute.

[0045] The aerosol-generating article may be an HNB ("heat not burn") article.

[0046] The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate having an aerosol former content of at least 5% by weight of the total weight of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0047] The total length of the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article may be between 9 mm and 15 mm, preferably about 12 mm. The total length of the aerosol-generating article may be between 40 mm and 50 mm, preferably about 45 mm. The length of the aerosol-forming substrate along the longitudinal axis of the article may be between 24% and 30% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article, preferably about 27% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article.

[0048] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a susceptor material configured to be heated by an inductor coil of an aerosol generating device.

[0049] The invention further relates to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article as described herein, the aerosol generating system further comprising an aerosol generating device comprising a heating chamber for insertion of at least a distal portion of the aerosol generating article and an electric heating element for heating the heating chamber.

[0050] The present invention further relates to a method of making an aerosol-generating article. The method includes providing a first element adjacent to a second element on a conveyor belt. The method includes creating a cavity between the first element and the second element. The method includes inserting seeds of one or more plants into the cavity with a seed inserter. The method includes surrounding the first element, the second element, and the cavity with an outer wrapper. The first element and the second element may be filter plugs.

[0051] The cavity may be created by separating the first element from the second element by a spacer wheel.The seed inserter may be conical.

[0052] The method may include loading different preformed components of the aerosol-forming article into a combiner and combining the components to provide the aerosol-generating article.

[0053] The method may include preforming the filter element with a cavity with seeds. Thus, the hopper may be loaded with a long mouthpiece filter rod, which is then cut into smaller mouthpiece filter plugs. The smaller plugs may have a length of 10 millimeters. Each smaller plug may then be cut in half to form two final plugs, for example, each of 5 millimeters in length. A spacer wheel may then create a cavity between the two final plugs on a perforated belt that converges toward a final combining zone. On the perforated belt that conveys the plugs, a seed inserter may insert one or more seeds before the two final plugs with the seed-filled cavity therebetween are wrapped by a plug wrapper to form the filter element.

[0054] The filter element may then be combined with other preformed elements to form the final aerosol-generating article.

[0055] The present invention further relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising a plant seed, preferably an HNB aerosol-generating article comprising a plant seed.

[0056] Compared to combustible aerosol-generating articles, HNB articles may generally include less total mass of filter material, which may reduce the environmental impact of the article and / or promote the biodegradability of the article. These effects may be synergistically enhanced when using HNB articles with plant seeds, preferably with plant seeds in cavities. High temperatures may have adverse effects on plant seeds. HNB articles may be operated at lower temperatures compared to combustible articles. This may provide an article that provides milder conditions for plant seeds. HNB articles may be operated at wetter conditions compared to combustible articles. This may advantageously promote germination of plant seeds after the HNB article is used.

[0057] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a hollow mouthpiece tube, e.g., a spirally wound paper tube, at the proximal end of the article. Adjacent to the mouthpiece tube, the article may comprise a filter element, the filter element preferably comprising a first filter plug and a second filter plug, the second filter plug being disposed separately from and at a distance from the first filter plug to form a cavity between the first filter plug and the second filter plug, and the filter element preferably comprising one or more plant seeds disposed within the cavity. Adjacent to the filter element, the article may comprise a hollow tube, e.g., a spirally wound paper tube. The hollow tube may comprise one, two or more rows of ventilation holes, each row being disposed circumferentially around the hollow tube in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article. The article may comprise a portion of an aerosol-forming substrate at its distal end. One or more outer wrappers may be provided surrounding at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

[0058] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a hollow mouthpiece tube, e.g. a spirally wound paper tube, at a proximal end of the article. Adjacent to the mouthpiece tube, the article may comprise a filter plug. Adjacent to the filter plug, the article may comprise a hollow tube, e.g. a spirally wound paper tube. The hollow tube may comprise one, two or more rows of vent holes, each row being circumferentially disposed around the hollow tube in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article. At least one plant seed may be disposed within an internal cavity of the hollow tube. The article may comprise a portion of an aerosol-forming substrate at its distal end. One or more outer wrappers may be provided surrounding at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

[0059] The present invention further relates to a filter element for an aerosol-generating article comprising a first filter plug and a second filter plug, the second filter plug being disposed separate from and at a distance from the first filter plug to form a cavity between the first filter plug and the second filter plug, the filter element further comprising one or more plant seeds disposed within the cavity.

[0060] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" refers to a substrate capable of releasing a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. The volatile compound may be released by heating or burning the aerosol-forming substrate. As an alternative to heating or burning, in some cases the volatile compound may be released by a chemical reaction or by mechanical stimulation such as ultrasound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid, or may include both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article.

[0061] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article that includes an aerosol-forming substrate capable of emitting a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article may be disposable. An aerosol-generating article that includes an aerosol-forming substrate that includes tobacco may be referred to herein as a tobacco stick.

[0062] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-generating device may interact with one or both of an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. In some examples, the aerosol-generating device may heat the aerosol-forming substrate to facilitate the release of volatile compounds from the substrate. An electrically operated aerosol-generating device may include an atomizer, such as an electric heater, for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.

[0063] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating system" refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device with an aerosol-forming substrate. When the aerosol-forming substrate forms part of an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating system refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device with an aerosol-generating article. In an aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-forming substrate and the aerosol-generating device work together to generate an aerosol.

[0064] The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises a plant material and an aerosol former, the plant material being preferably an alkaloid-containing plant material, more preferably a nicotine-containing plant material, and more preferably a tobacco-containing material.

[0065] Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least 70 percent by weight plant material on a dry weight basis, more preferably at least 90 percent by weight plant material.Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises less than 95 percent by weight plant material on a dry weight basis, such as 90-95 percent by weight plant material on a dry weight basis.

[0066] Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least 5 weight percent aerosol formers on a dry weight basis, more preferably at least 10 weight percent aerosol formers.Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises less than 30 weight percent aerosol formers on a dry weight basis, such as from 5 to 30 weight percent aerosol formers on a dry weight basis.

[0067] In some particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a plant material and an aerosol former, the substrate having an aerosol former content of 5-30% by weight on a dry weight basis. The plant material is preferably an alkaloid-containing plant material, more preferably a nicotine-containing plant material, and more preferably a tobacco-containing material. Alkaloids are a class of naturally occurring nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Alkaloids are found primarily in plants, but also in bacteria, fungi, and animals. Examples of alkaloids include, but are not limited to, caffeine, nicotine, theobromine, atropine, and tubocurarine. A preferred alkaloid is nicotine, which may be found in tobacco.

[0068] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco, for example a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized tobacco material, for example cast leaf tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0069] As used herein, the term "tobacco material" is used to describe any material containing tobacco, including but not limited to tobacco leaves, tobacco veins, tobacco stems, tobacco stems, tobacco dust, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco materials, and homogenized tobacco materials.

[0070] As used herein, the term "homogenized tobacco material" is used to describe a material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco.

[0071] The term "cast leaf" is used herein to refer to a sheet product made by a casting process based on casting a slurry containing plant particles (e.g., clove particles, or tobacco particles and clove particles in a mixture) and a binder (e.g., guar gum) onto a support surface such as a belt conveyor, drying the slurry, and removing the dried sheet from the support surface. An example of a casting or cast leaf process is described, for example, in US Pat. No. A-5,724,998 for the production of cast leaf tobacco. In the cast leaf process, particulate plant material is mixed with a liquid component (typically water) to form a slurry. Other added components in the slurry may include fibers, binders, and aerosol formers. The particulate plant material may be agglomerated in the presence of a binder. The slurry is cast onto a support surface and dried to form a sheet of homogenized plant material.

[0072] As used herein, the term "flavoring agent" refers to a composition having organoleptic properties that provide a sensory experience to the user, for example, to enhance the flavor of the aerosol. Flavoring agents can be used, for example, to deliver a taste (taste), an olfactory (smell), or both taste and smell, to the user upon inhalation of the aerosol.

[0073] As used herein, the term "tubular segment" is used to mean an elongated element that defines a lumen or airflow passage along its longitudinal axis. Specifically, the term "tubular" is used herein to encompass any tubular element having a substantially cylindrical cross-section and defining at least one airflow passage that establishes uninterrupted fluid communication between an upstream end of the tubular element and a downstream end of the tubular element. However, it will be appreciated that alternative geometries of the tubular element may be possible.

[0074] As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "forward", as well as "downstream" and "backward" are used to describe the relative location of a component or part of a component of an aerosol-generating article with respect to the direction in which air flows through the aerosol-generating article during its use. An aerosol-generating article according to the present invention comprises a proximal end where aerosol exits through the article during use. The proximal end of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the mouth end or the downstream end. The mouth end is downstream of the distal end. The distal end of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components or parts of components of an aerosol-generating article may be described as being upstream or downstream of each other based on their relative location between the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article and the distal end of the aerosol-generating article. The forward of a component or part of a component of an aerosol-generating article is the part at the end closest to the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The back of a component or part of a component of an aerosol-generating article is the part at the end closest to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

[0075] Below is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples, any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein. EXAMPLES

[0076] Example A: An aerosol-generating article comprising a cavity and one or more plant seeds disposed within the cavity.

[0077] Example B: The first element, An aerosol-generating article according to example A comprising: a second element separated from the first element and disposed at a distance from the first element, the cavity extending along the entire distance between the first element and the second element.

[0078] Example C: An aerosol-generating article according to Example B, wherein the first element is located upstream of the cavity and the first element is a filter element.

[0079] Example D: An aerosol-generating article according to example B, wherein the first element is located upstream of the cavity and the first element comprises an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0080] Example E: An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples B to D, wherein the second element is located downstream of the cavity and the second element is a filter element, preferably a mouthpiece filter.

[0081] Example F: An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the length of the cavity along the longitudinal axis of the article is at least 2 millimeters, preferably at least 3 millimeters, more preferably at least 4 millimeters, more preferably at least 5 millimeters, more preferably the length of the cavity along the longitudinal axis of the article is about 5 millimeters.

[0082] Example G: An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the inner diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article is at least 2 millimeters, preferably at least 3 millimeters, more preferably at least 4 millimeters, more preferably at least 5 millimeters, more preferably at least 6 millimeters, more preferably at least 7 millimeters, more preferably the inner diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article is about 7 millimeters.

[0083] Example H: An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the volume of the cavity may be between 10 cubic millimeters and 1000 cubic millimeters, preferably between 50 cubic millimeters and 500 cubic millimeters, more preferably between 100 cubic millimeters and 400 cubic millimeters, more preferably between 150 cubic millimeters and 250 cubic millimeters, and more preferably the volume of the cavity is about 200 cubic millimeters.

[0084] Example I: An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the cavity is defined as the interior space of a hollow tubular element.

[0085] Example J: An aerosol-generating article according to Example I, wherein the hollow tubular element is made of cellulose acetate, PLA, cardboard, or wrapping paper.

[0086] Example K: An aerosol-generating article according to Example I or Example J, wherein the wall thickness of the hollow tubular element is between 0.05 millimeters and 2 millimeters, preferably between 0.15 millimeters and 0.25 millimeters, or between 0.5 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters.

[0087] Example L: An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples I-K, wherein the hollow tubular element is provided with one or more vent holes.

[0088] Example M: ​​An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the cavity contains between 2 and 1000 plant seeds, preferably between 10 and 500 plant seeds, more preferably between 50 and 200 plant seeds, more preferably between 75 and 125 plant seeds, more preferably between 90 and 110 plant seeds.

[0089] Example N: An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples B-M, wherein both the first and second elements are in the form of filled cylindrical plugs.

[0090] Example O: An aerosol-generating article according to Example N, wherein both the first and second elements are cylindrical filter plugs uniformly filled with filter material.

[0091] Example P: The aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the one or more plant seeds include one or more of basil seeds and catgrass seeds.

[0092] Example Q: An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples B-P, wherein one or both of the first and second components comprise a biodegradable material, preferably the biodegradable material is selected from PLA and cotton.

[0093] Example R: An aerosol-generating article according to any of Examples B-Q, in which the length of each of the first element, second element, and cavity along the longitudinal axis of the article is between 2 millimeters and 7 millimeters, preferably between 3 millimeters and 6 millimeters, and more preferably between 4 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

[0094] Example S: An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating article consists essentially of biodegradable materials.

[0095] Example T: An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating article is an HNB article.

[0096] Example U: An aerosol-generating article according to example T comprising an aerosol-forming substrate having an aerosol former content of at least 5% by weight of the total weight of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0097] Example V: An aerosol-generating article according to example U, in which the total length of the aerosol-forming substrate is between 9 millimeters and 15 millimeters, preferably about 12 millimeters.

[0098] Example W: An aerosol generating system comprising: An aerosol-generating article according to any of the preceding embodiments; An aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating device comprising a heating chamber for insertion of at least a distal portion of an aerosol-generating article; and an electric heating element for heating the heating chamber.

[0099] Example X: A method of making an aerosol-generating article, comprising: providing a first element adjacent to a second element on a conveyor belt; creating a cavity between the first element and the second element; inserting seeds of one or more plants into the cavity with a seed inserter; and surrounding the first element, the second element, and the cavity with an outer wrapper.

[0100] Example Y: The method according to example X, wherein the cavity is created by separating the first element from the second element with a spacer wheel.

[0101] Example Z: The method according to example X or example Y, wherein the first element and the second element are filter plugs.

[0102] Features described with respect to one embodiment may be equally applied to other embodiments of the invention.

[0103] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0104] [Figure 1] Figures 1a and 1b show a filter element for an aerosol-generating article, and Figure 1c shows an aerosol-generating article. [Diagram 2] 2a-2d show an aerosol-generating article. [Diagram 3] 3a-3c show an aerosol-generating article. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0105] FIG. 1a shows a filter element 10 for an aerosol-generating article in a perspective view. The filter element 10 comprises a first filter plug 12 and a second filter plug 14. The second filter plug 14 is disposed separately from and at a distance from the first filter plug 12 to form a cavity 16 between the first filter plug 12 and the second filter plug 14. The filter element 10 further comprises a plurality of plant seeds 18 disposed within the cavity 16. The filter element 10 may be wrapped with an optional plug wrapper 20. Thus, the cavity 16 may be enclosed by the first filter plug 12 and the second filter plug 14, as well as the plug wrapper 20. This arrangement may prevent the plant seeds 18 from escaping the cavity 16.

[0106] Figure 1b shows in perspective view a filter element 10 of an aerosol-generating article. The filter element 10 of Figure 1b includes an array of vent holes 22 disposed circumferentially around the filter element 10 in a cross section taken substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the filter element 10. The filter element 10 of Figure 1b is otherwise identical to the filter element 10 of Figure 1a.

[0107] Figure 1c shows an aerosol-generating article in perspective view. The aerosol-generating article comprises a filter element 10 as shown in Figure 1a. The aerosol-generating article further comprises a tobacco portion 24. The aerosol-generating article is surrounded by an outer wrapper 26. In an embodiment in which the optional plug wrapper 20 is omitted as shown in Figure 1a, the cavity 16 may be enclosed by the first and second filter plugs 12, 14 and the outer wrapper 26.

[0108] 2a-2d show, in cross-section, an aerosol-generating article, specifically an HNB article.

[0109] The article of Figure 2a is configured as a mouthpiece filter and includes a second filter plug 14 located at the proximal end of the article. A cavity 16 is formed between the second filter plug 14 and the first filter plug 12. The cavity 16 is filled with plant seeds 18. The article further includes a PLA plug 28, a hollow acetate tube 30, and an aerosol-forming substrate 24, such as a portion of reconstituted tobacco. The article is surrounded by an outer wrapper 26.

[0110] The outer diameter of the article may be about 7 millimeters. The overall length of the article may be about 45 millimeters. In one embodiment, the first and second filter plugs 12 and 14 and the cavity 16 each have a length of about 5 millimeters, the PLA plug 28 has a length of about 10 millimeters, the hollow acetate tube 30 has a length of about 8 millimeters, and the portion of smokable material 24 has a length of about 12 millimeters. In one embodiment, the first and second filter plugs 12 and 14 and the cavity 16 each have a length of about 4 millimeters, the PLA plug 28 has a length of about 13 millimeters, the hollow acetate tube 30 has a length of about 8 millimeters, and the portion of smokable material 24 has a length of about 12 millimeters.

[0111] The article of Figure 2b largely corresponds to the article of Figure 2a, except that the article of Figure 2b includes at least one row of ventilation holes 22 provided in the outer wrapper 26 and arranged circumferentially around the cavity 16 in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article.

[0112] The article of Figure 2c includes an inner plug wrapper 20 that surrounds the filter element formed by first and second filter plugs 12, 14 and cavity 16. The inner plug wrapper 20 is also surrounded by an outer wrapper 26. In other respects, the article of Figure 2b is identical to the article of Figure 2a.

[0113] The article of Figure 2d largely corresponds to the article of Figure 2c, except that the article of Figure 2d includes at least one row of vent holes 22 provided in one or both of the inner plug wrapper 20 and the outer wrapper 26. The at least one row of vent holes 22 may be disposed circumferentially about the cavity 16 in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article.

[0114] 3a-3c show, in cross-section, an aerosol-generating article, specifically an HNB article.

[0115] The article of Figure 3a comprises a mouthpiece filter element 10 structured as a filled filter plug. The article further comprises a PLA plug 28, a hollow acetate tube 30, and an aerosol-forming substrate 24, such as a portion of reconstituted tobacco. The article is surrounded by an outer wrapper 26. The cavity provided within the hollow acetate tube 30 is filled with plant seeds 18.

[0116] The outer diameter of the article may be about 7 millimeters. The overall length of the article may be about 45 millimeters. In one embodiment, the length of the filter element 10 is about 15 millimeters, the length of the PLA plug 28 is about 10 millimeters, the length of the hollow acetate tube 30 is about 8 millimeters, and the length of the portion of smokable material 24 is about 12 millimeters. In one embodiment, the length of the filter element 10 is about 12 millimeters, the length of the PLA plug 28 is about 13 millimeters, the length of the hollow acetate tube 30 is about 8 millimeters, and the length of the portion of smokable material 24 is about 12 millimeters.

[0117] The article of Figure 3b largely corresponds to the article of Figure 3a, except that the article of Figure 3b includes at least one row of vent holes 22 provided in one or both of the hollow acetate tube 30 and the outer wrapper 26. The at least one row of vent holes 22 may be disposed circumferentially about the cavity 16 in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article.

[0118] The article of Figure 3c comprises first and second filter plugs 12, 14, a cavity 16 filled with plant seeds 18, a fine hollow acetate tube 32, a hollow acetate tube 30, a portion of smokable material 24, and a front plug 34. The front plug 34 may be a filter plug. The article is surrounded by an outer wrapper 26. Optionally, at least one row of ventilation holes (not shown) may be provided in the outer wrapper 26 and may be circumferentially disposed about the cavity 16 in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article.

[0119] The outer diameter of the article may be about 7 millimeters. The overall length of the article may be about 45 millimeters. In one embodiment, the first and second filter plugs 12, 14 and cavity 16 each have a length of about 4 millimeters, the fine hollow acetate tube 32 has a length of about 8 millimeters, the hollow acetate tube 30 has a length of about 8 millimeters, the portion of smokable material 24 has a length of about 12 millimeters, and the front plug 34 has a length of about 5 millimeters.

Claims

1. a cavity; and one or more plant seeds having the ability to germinate disposed within the cavity; An aerosol-generating article wherein one or more vent holes are provided at a location along the longitudinal axis of the article upstream of said cavity.

2. An aerosol-generating article as described in claim 1, having a breathability level of at least 15 percent, preferably at least 25 percent, more preferably at least 40 percent.

3. The first element, 3. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, further comprising: a second element separated from and arranged at a distance from the first element, the cavity extending along the entire distance between the first element and the second element.

4. 4. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3, wherein the first element is located upstream of the cavity, and the first element is a filter element.

5. 4. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3, wherein the first element is located upstream of the cavity, and the first element comprises an aerosol-forming substrate.

6. 4. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3, wherein the second element is located downstream of the cavity, and the second element is a filter element, preferably a mouthpiece filter.

7. 2. An aerosol-generating article as described in claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article is at least 2 millimeters, preferably at least 3 millimeters, more preferably at least 4 millimeters, more preferably at least 5 millimeters, more preferably at least 6 millimeters, more preferably at least 7 millimeters, and more preferably the inner diameter of the cavity along the transverse direction of the article is about 7 millimeters.

8. 2. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the cavity is defined as the interior space of a hollow tubular element, preferably made of cellulose acetate, PLA, cardboard, or wrapping paper, and / or wherein the hollow tubular element is provided with one or more ventilation holes.

9. 2. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the cavity contains between 2 and 1000 plant seeds, preferably between 10 and 500 plant seeds, more preferably between 50 and 200 plant seeds, more preferably between 75 and 125 plant seeds, more preferably between 90 and 110 plant seeds.

10. 4. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3, wherein both the first and second elements are in the form of filled cylindrical plugs, preferably both the first and second elements being cylindrical filter plugs uniformly filled with filter material.

11. 2. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the one or more plant seeds include one or more of basil seeds and catgrass seeds.

12. 2. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating article consists essentially of a biodegradable material, preferably the biodegradable material is selected from PLA and cotton.

13. 2. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, comprising an aerosol-forming substrate having an aerosol former content of at least 5% by weight of the total weight of the aerosol-forming substrate, preferably wherein the aerosol-generating article is an HNB article.

14. 1. An aerosol generating system comprising: The aerosol-generating article of claim 1; An aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating device comprising a heating chamber for insertion of at least a distal portion of the aerosol-generating article; and an electric heating element for heating the heating chamber.

15. 1. A method for producing an aerosol-generating article, comprising: providing a first element adjacent to a second element on a conveyor belt; creating a cavity between the first element and the second element; inserting seeds of one or more plants capable of germinating into said cavity with a seed inserter; and surrounding the first element, the second element, and the cavity with an outer wrapper; The method, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises one or more vent holes provided upstream of said cavity.

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