Article for use in aerosol provision system

Abstract

To provide: an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system; a non-combustible aerosol provision system including the article; and a method of manufacturing the article.SOLUTION: An article 1 for use as or as part of a non-combustible aerosol provision system includes: an aerosol generating material having at least one aerosol forming material 2; a first hollow tubular body 3 disposed downstream of the aerosol generating material, the first hollow tubular body having a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm; a second hollow tubular body with a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm; and a cylindrical body 21 disposed between the first hollow tubular body and the second hollow tubular body. Also described is an article including a hollow tubular member formed from cellulosic material and disposed immediately downstream of the aerosol generating material, where the length of the hollow tubular member is between about 5 mm and about 18 mm. A system and a method of manufacturing an article are also described.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The following relates to articles for use in or as part of non-combustion aerosol delivery systems, non-combustion aerosol delivery systems including the articles, and methods of making the articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Certain tobacco industry products generate an aerosol during use, which is inhaled by the user. For example, tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol-generating substrate, such as tobacco, to form an aerosol by heating the substrate without burning it. Such tobacco industry products generally include a mouthpiece through which the aerosol passes to the user's mouth. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In some embodiments described herein, in a first aspect, there is provided an article for use as, or as part of, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, the article comprising: an aerosol-generating material comprising at least one aerosol-forming material; a first hollow tubular body positioned downstream of the aerosol-generating material, the first hollow tubular body having a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm; a second hollow tubular body having a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm; The device includes a cylindrical body disposed between the first hollow tubular body and the second hollow tubular body.

[0004] In some embodiments described herein, in a second aspect, there is provided an article for use as, or as part of, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, the article comprising: an aerosol-generating material comprising at least one aerosol-forming material; a hollow tubular member formed from a cellulosic material and positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming material; The length of the hollow tubular member is about 5 mm to about 18 mm.

[0005] In some embodiments described herein, in a third aspect, a non-combustible aerosol delivery device having a heater; An article according to the first or second aspect. A system is provided comprising:

[0006] In some embodiments described herein, in a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing an article for use as, or as part of, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, the method comprising: providing an aerosol-generating material comprising at least one aerosol-forming material; positioning a tubular body downstream of the aerosol-generating material, the tubular body having a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm; disposing a cylindrical body downstream of the tubular body; disposing a second tubular body downstream of the cylindrical body; Includes:

[0007] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an article for use as or as part of a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, the article comprising a first hollow tubular body, a second hollow tubular body, and a cylindrical body disposed between the first hollow tubular body and the second hollow tubular body. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an article for use as or as part of a non-combustion aerosol delivery system, the article including an aerosol generation section configured to extend a minimum distance away from the heater of the non-combustion aerosol delivery system. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an article for use as, or as part of, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, the article including a cavity downstream of an aerosol-generation section formed by a wrapper. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an article for use as, or as part of, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, the article including an alternative mouth end section. [Figure 4a] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an article for use as, or as part of, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, the article including an alternative mouth end section. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an article for use as, or as part of, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, the article including an alternative mouth end section. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of steps in a method for manufacturing an article. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a non-combustible aerosol delivery device for generating aerosols from the aerosol-forming materials of the articles of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 4a, and 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view of the device of FIG. 7 with the outer cover removed and no item present. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a side view, partially in cross section, of the device of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 7 with the outer cover omitted. [Figure 11A] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the device of FIG. 7. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is an enlarged view of a region of the device of FIG. 11A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to include a system that delivers at least one substance to a user; Combustible aerosol delivery systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or hand-made cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes, or other smoking materials); a non-combustion aerosol delivery system that releases compounds from an aerosol-forming material without burning the aerosol-forming material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems that use a combination of aerosol-forming materials to generate an aerosol; an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance, which may or may not contain nicotine, to a user orally, nasally, transdermally, or otherwise, without forming an aerosol, including, but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles containing inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco products (including snus and moist snuff); Includes:

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a "combustible" aerosol delivery system is one in which the aerosol-generating constituent material (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system is combusted or burned during use to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol delivery system is one in which the aerosol-generating constituent materials (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system are not combusted or are not burned to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0012] In the embodiments described herein, the delivery system is a non-combustion aerosol delivery system, such as a powered non-combustion aerosol delivery system.

[0013] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system is an e-cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0014] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system, an example of which is a tobacco heating system.

[0015] In one embodiment, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is a hybrid system for generating an aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials, one or more of which may be heated. Each of the aerosolizable materials may be, for example, in solid, liquid, or gel form and may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. The solid aerosolizable material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0016] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system can include a non-combustible aerosol delivery device and a consumable item for use with the non-combustible aerosol delivery device.

[0017] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables comprising an aerosol-forming material and configured for use with a non-combustible aerosol delivery device. These consumables may also be referred to as articles throughout this disclosure. The aerosol-forming material, also referred to as an aerosol-forming material, may be tobacco material as described herein.

[0018] A consumable is an article that includes or consists of an aerosol-generating material, some or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may include one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier. A consumable may also include an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol upon use. The heater may include, for example, a combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0019] In some embodiments, a non-combustion aerosol delivery system, e.g., the non-combustion aerosol delivery device, can include a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, an electrical power source or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to deliver power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or a heat transfer material in proximity to the heat-generating power source.

[0020] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery system may comprise a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating region, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or a region for receiving an aerosol modifier.

[0021] In some embodiments, a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol delivery device may comprise an aerosol-forming material, an aerosol-forming material storage region, an aerosol-forming material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating region, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0022] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material not intended to be aerosolized, either of which may optionally include one or more active ingredients, one or more flavorings, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0023] An aerosol generator is a device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to thermal energy, thereby releasing one or more volatile components from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0024] An aerosol-generating material is a material that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or otherwise energized. The aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain an active agent and / or flavoring. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an "amorphous solid" (alternatively referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous)). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid, such as a liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, about 50%, 60%, or 70% to about 90%, 95%, or 100% amorphous solid by weight.

[0025] The aerosol-generating material may include one or more active agents and / or flavoring agents, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and, optionally, one or more other functional materials.

[0026] The aerosol-forming material may include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material may include one or more of glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, mesoerythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixtures, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0027] The one or more other functional ingredients may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a binder, a filler, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0028] The material may be on or in a support to form a substrate. The support may be or include, for example, paper, card, corrugated board, cardboard, recycled material, plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal, or alloy. In some embodiments, the support comprises a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or both sides of the material.

[0029] An aerosol modifier is a substance typically disposed downstream of the aerosol-generation region and configured to modify the generated aerosol, for example, by changing the taste, flavor, acidity, or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol modifier may be provided in an aerosol modifier-releasing component operable to selectively release the aerosol modifier.

[0030] The aerosol modifier may be, for example, an additive or an adsorbent. The aerosol modifier may include, for example, one or more of a flavoring, a colorant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol modifier may be, for example, a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol modifier may be in the form of a powder, a string, or granules. The aerosol modifier may be free of a filtration material.

[0031] A susceptor is a material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically conductive material, such that the penetration of the varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be a magnetic material, such that the penetration of the varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically conductive and magnetic, such that the susceptor can be heated by both heating mechanisms. A device configured to generate a varying magnetic field is referred to herein as a magnetic field generator.

[0032] Induction heating is a process in which a conductive object is heated by penetrating a changing magnetic field into the object. This process is explained by Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction and Ohm's law. An induction heater can include an electromagnet and a device for passing a changing current, such as an alternating current, through the electromagnet. When the electromagnet and the object to be heated are positioned relative to each other so that the changing magnetic field generated by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated within the object. The object has a resistance to the flow of current. Therefore, when such eddy currents are generated within the object, they flow against the object's electrical resistance, thereby heating the object. This process is called Joule heating, ohmic heating, or resistive heating. An object that can be inductively heated is known as a susceptor.

[0033] In one embodiment, the susceptor is in the form of a closed circuit, which has been found to provide a stronger magnetic coupling between the susceptor and the electromagnet in use, resulting in increased or improved Joule heating.

[0034] Magnetic hysteresis heating is the process by which an object made of a magnetic material is heated by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field into the object. Magnetic materials can be thought of as containing many atomic-scale magnets, or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such a material, the magnetic dipoles align along the field. Thus, when a fluctuating magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field (e.g., produced by an electromagnet), penetrates a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes in response to the applied fluctuating field. This reorientation of the magnetic dipoles generates heat within the magnetic material.

[0035] When an object is both conductive and magnetic, the penetration of a varying magnetic field into the object can cause both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating in the object. Furthermore, the use of magnetic materials can enhance the magnetic field, thereby enhancing Joule heating.

[0036] In each of the above processes, because heat is generated within the object itself rather than by conduction from an external heat source, rapid temperature rise and more uniform heat distribution within the object can be achieved, particularly by appropriate selection of the object's material and geometry and the magnitude and orientation of the varying magnetic field relative to the object. Furthermore, induction heating and magnetic hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection between the source of the varying magnetic field and the object, thereby increasing design freedom and control of the heating profile and reducing costs.

[0037] Articles, e.g., rod-shaped articles, are often designated according to the length of the product as "regular" (typically 68-75 mm, e.g., in the range of about 68 mm to about 72 mm), "short" or "mini" (68 mm or less), "king size" (typically 75-91 mm, e.g., in the range of about 79 mm to about 88 mm), "long" or "super king" (typically 91-105 mm, e.g., in the range of about 94 mm to about 101 mm), and "ultra long" (typically in the range of about 110 mm to about 121 mm).

[0038] Articles are also designated according to the circumference of the product as "regular" (approximately 23-25 ​​mm), "wide" (over 25 mm), "slim" (approximately 22-23 mm), "demi-slim" (approximately 19-22 mm), "super slim" (approximately 16-19 mm), and "micro slim" (less than approximately 16 mm).

[0039] Thus, a king size, super slim format article may have, for example, a length of about 83 mm and a circumference of about 17 mm.

[0040] Each format can be made with a different length of tip, which can be about 30 mm to 50 mm long. The tipping paper connects the tip to the aerosol-generating material and is typically longer than the tipping paper, for example, 3 to 10 mm, so that the tipping paper covers the tipping tip and overlaps the aerosol-generating material, for example, in the form of a substrate rod, connecting the tipping paper to the rod.

[0041] The articles described herein and their aerosol-forming materials and mouthpieces can be made in any of the formats described above, without limitation.

[0042] As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are relative terms defined with reference to the direction of mainstream aerosol being drawn through an article or device in use.

[0043] The filament tow or filter material described herein can include cellulose acetate fiber tow. The filament tow can also be formed using other materials used to form fibers, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(1-4 butanediol succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), starch-based materials, cotton, aliphatic polyester materials, and polysaccharide polymers, or combinations thereof. The filament tow can be plasticized with a suitable plasticizer for the tow, such as triacetin if the material is cellulose acetate tow, or the tow can be unplasticized. The tow can have any suitable configuration, such as fibers with a "Y"-, "X"-, or "O"-shaped cross section. The fibers of the tow have a single fineness value of 2.5 to 15 denier per filament, e.g., 8.0 to 11.0 denier per filament, and a total fineness value of 5,000 to 50,000 denier, e.g., 10,000 to 40,000 denier. When viewed in cross section, the fibers have an isoperimetric ratio L of 25 or less. 2 / A, preferably 20 or less, more preferably 15 or less, where L is the perimeter of the cross-section and A is the area of ​​the cross-section. The filter materials described herein also include cellulosic materials such as paper. Such materials may have a relatively low density, such as about 0.1 to about 0.45 grams per cubic centimeter, to allow air and / or aerosols to pass through the material. While such materials are described as filter materials, their primary purpose may not be related to filtration per se, such as increasing the resistance to draw of a component.

[0044] As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material containing tobacco or its derivatives or substitutes. The term "tobacco material" may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may include one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fiber, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stems, tobacco stems, reconstituted tobacco, and / or tobacco extract.

[0045] In the tobacco materials described herein, the tobacco material includes an aerosol-forming material. In this context, an "aerosol-forming material" is an agent that facilitates the generation of an aerosol. The aerosol-forming material can facilitate the generation of an aerosol by promoting the initial vaporization and / or condensation of a gas into an inhalable solid and / or liquid aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material can improve the delivery of flavorants from the aerosol-forming material. Generally, any suitable aerosol-forming material or agent may be included in the aerosol-forming materials of the present invention, including those described herein. Other suitable aerosol-forming materials include, but are not limited to, polyols such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols such as propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; non-polyols such as monohydric alcohols, high-boiling hydrocarbons; acids such as lactic acid; glycerol derivatives; esters such as diacetin, triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, or myristic acid, including ethyl myristate and isopropyl myristate, and aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as methyl stearate, dimethyl dodecanedioate, and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The total amount of glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol used, measured on a dry weight basis, may range from 10% to 30%, e.g., 15% to 25%, of the tobacco material. Glycerol may be present in an amount of 10-20% by weight of the tobacco material, for example, 13-16% by weight of the composition, or about 14% or 15% by weight of the composition. Propylene glycol, if present, may be present in an amount of 0.1-0.3% by weight of the composition.

[0046] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active agent.

[0047] As used herein, an active substance may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may be selected from, for example, dietary supplements, nootropics, and psychotropic drugs. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically derived. The active substance may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins (such as B6, B12, or C), melatonin, cannabinoids, or components, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may include one or more components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco, cannabis, or another botanical substance.

[0048] In some embodiments, the active agent comprises nicotine, hi some embodiments, the active agent comprises caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

[0049] As described herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanical substances, or components, derivatives, or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical substance" includes any material derived from a plant, including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, petioles, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husks, peels, etc. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally occurring in the botanical substance or synthetically obtained. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, fragments, shreds, sheets, etc. Examples of botanical substances include tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cacao, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice, matcha, yerba mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea (such as green tea or black tea), thyme, cloves, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, Lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, shiso, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, pimento, mace, damiana, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, Calvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab, or any combination thereof.The mint may be selected from the following mint varieties: Mentha arventis, grapefruit mint (Mentha cv), Egyptian mint (Mentha niliaca), peppermint (Mentha piperita), lime mint (Mentha piperita citrata cv), chocolate mint (Mentha piperita cv), curly mint (Mentha spicata crispa), wild mint (Mentha cardifolia), horse mint (Mentha longifolia), pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens variegata), pennyroyal mint (Mentha pulegium), English spearmint (Mentha spicata cv), and apple mint (Mentha suaveolens).

[0050] In some embodiments, the active agent comprises or is derived from one or more botanical substances, or components, derivatives, or extracts thereof, and the botanical substance is tobacco.

[0051] In some embodiments, the active agent comprises or is derived from one or more botanical substances, or components, derivatives, or extracts thereof, wherein the botanical substances are selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, and hemp.

[0052] In some embodiments, the active agent comprises or is derived from one or more botanical substances, or components, derivatives, or extracts thereof, wherein the botanical substances are selected from rooibos and fennel.

[0053] In some embodiments, the substance delivered comprises a fragrance.

[0054] As used herein, the terms "flavoring" and "flavoring agent" refer to materials that can be used to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatic sensation in products for adult consumers, where permitted by local regulations, including naturally occurring flavoring materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically derived materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (aniseed), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spice, Asian spice, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, etc.). , clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruits, papaya, rhubarb, grapes, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel nut, sh Shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, bell pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cacao, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, yerba mate, orange peel, rose, tea (green or black) etc.), thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, shiso, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, pimento, mace, damiane, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, Calvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g.,The compositions may contain artificial, synthetic, or natural ingredients, or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid (such as an oil), solid (such as a powder), or gaseous.

[0055] In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises menthol, spearmint, and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and / or red berry flavor components. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises flavor components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises flavor components extracted from cannabis.

[0056] In some embodiments, the flavoring agent may include a sensory agent intended to achieve somatic sensations typically chemically induced and perceived by stimulating the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to, or instead of, the olfactory or gustatory nerves, and these may include agents that provide a heating, cooling, tingling, or numbing effect. Suitable heating agents may be, but are not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and suitable cooling agents may be, but are not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

[0057] In the figures described herein, like reference numerals are used to denote equivalent features, items or components.

[0058] 1-5 show articles 1, 1', 1'', 1''', and 1'''' for use with a non-combustible aerosol delivery device 100 including a heater 101, according to some embodiments. The article may be a tobacco heating product consumable. Article 1 includes a rod of aerosol-forming material 2 including at least one aerosol-forming material, a first tubular body 3 disposed downstream of the aerosol-forming material 2 and including a filament tow, and a mouth end section 20, 20', and 20'' disposed downstream of the first tubular body 3. Article 1 is configured such that, when article 1 is inserted into non-combustible aerosol delivery device 100, a minimum distance d between heater 101 and first tubular body 3 of non-combustible aerosol delivery device 100 is at least about 3 mm.

[0059] FIG. 1 shows an article comprising a rod of aerosol-generating material 2 containing at least one aerosol-forming material, a first hollow tubular body 3 positioned downstream of the aerosol-generating material 2 and having a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm, a third hollow tubular body 22 also having a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm, and an oral end section 20 comprising a cylindrical body 21 positioned between the first hollow tubular body 3 and the third hollow tubular body 22.

[0060] The first hollow tubular body 3 is made of a cellulose material and is positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating material. The length of the hollow tubular body is about 5 mm to about 18 mm.

[0061] The minimum distance d between the heater 101 and the first tubular body of the non-combustible aerosol delivery device 100 prevents heat from the heater 101 from damaging the filament tow of the first tubular body 3. In particular, the filament tow may be cellulose acetate tow stiffened with a plasticizer, as is known in the art. Heat from the heater 101 may cause the first tubular body 3 to shrink. This is avoided by providing a gap between the first tubular body 3 and the heater 101.

[0062] The minimum distance d may be 3 mm or greater, with values ​​between 3 mm and 10 mm being preferred. Exemplary minimum distances d include 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, and 10 mm.

[0063] In each embodiment, the article further comprises a wrapper 6 at least partially surrounding the aerosol-generating material 2 and the first tubular body 3, connecting the aerosol-generating material 2 to the first tubular body 3. In some embodiments, the wrapper may extend along the entire length of the article 1 to attach the mouth end section 20. In this example, an additional wrapper 6' underlies the wrapper 6 and extends along the mouth end section 20. The additional wrapper 6' combines the second tubular body 5, the first tubular body 3, the cylindrical body 21, and the third tubular body 22 to form an enclosed mouth end section. In this example, the wrapper 6 extends partially along the length of the aerosol-generating material 2 to attach the aerosol-generating material to the enclosed mouth end section.

[0064] The wrapper 6 may be a paper material containing a citrate, such as sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate. In such examples, the wrapper 6 may have a citrate content of 2% by weight or less, or 1% by weight or less. This reduces charring of the wrapper 6 when the article 1 is heated in the non-combustible aerosol delivery device 100.

[0065] The first tubular body 3 is configured to function as a heat sink to reduce the phenomenon of "hot puffs." A "hot puff" is defined as an aerosol delivered to a user at an uncomfortably high temperature. Hot puffs can be exacerbated when a user draws the aerosol through the heated article 1 at a high rate, shortening the time for the aerosol's heat to dissipate. When inserted into the non-combustible aerosol delivery device 100, the first tubular body 3 separates the mouth end section from the heater 101, providing space for heat to dissipate before the aerosol reaches the mouth end section 20. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that as the aerosol is drawn through the first tubular body 3, heat is conducted away from the aerosol to the first tubular body 3. In this manner, the first tubular body 3 acts as a heat sink.

[0066] In this example, the hollow tubular body 3 is formed from filament tow. In other embodiments, other constructions may be used, such as spirally wound layers of paper, cardboard tubes, tubes formed using a paper mache type process, molded or extruded plastic tubes, etc.

[0067] The wall thickness of the first tubular body 3 is preferably at least about 325 μm and up to about 2 mm, more preferably 500 μm to 1.5 mm, and more preferably 750 μm to 1 mm. In this example, the first tubular body 3 has a wall thickness of about 1 mm. The "wall thickness" of the first tubular body 3 corresponds to the radial wall thickness of the first tubular body 3, which can be measured, for example, using a vernier caliper. The use of filament tow and / or wall thicknesses in these ranges has the advantage of insulating the hot aerosol passing through the second cavity 3a from the outer surface of the first tubular body 3.

[0068] The wall thickness together with the outer diameter of the first tubular body 3 define the inner diameter or cavity size of the first tubular body 3 .

[0069] In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the first tubular body 3 is at least 325 microns, and preferably at least 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, or 1000 microns, hi some embodiments, the wall thickness of the first tubular body 3 is at least 1250 microns or 1500 microns.

[0070] In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the first tubular body 3 is less than 2000 microns, preferably less than 1500 microns.

[0071] It has been found that the thick wall thickness of the first tubular body 3, which means a greater thermal mass, helps to lower the temperature of the aerosol passing through the first tubular body 3 and lower the surface temperature of the oral end section 20 downstream of the first tubular body 3. This is believed to be because the greater thermal mass of the first tubular body 3 allows the first tubular body 3 to absorb more heat from the aerosol compared to a first tubular body 3 with a thinner wall thickness. Additionally, the thicker first tubular body 3 forces the aerosol to flow toward the center of the oral end section 20, resulting in less heat from the aerosol being transferred to the outer portion of the oral end section 20.

[0072] The density of the first tubular body 3 is preferably at least about 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter (g / cc), more preferably at least about 0.3 grams per cubic centimeter (g / cc). The density of the first tubular body 3 is preferably less than about 0.75 grams per cubic centimeter (g / cc), more preferably less than 0.6 g / cc. In some embodiments, the density of the first tubular body 3 is between 0.25 and 0.75 g / cc, more preferably between 0.3 and 0.6 g / cc, and more preferably between 0.4 g / cc and 0.6 g / cc or about 0.5 g / cc. These densities have been found to provide a good balance between the higher hardness provided by higher density materials and the lower heat transfer characteristics of lower density materials. For purposes of this example, the "density" of the first tubular body 3 refers to the density of the filament tow forming the element, including any plasticizer incorporated therein. The density can be determined by dividing the total weight of the material forming the first tubular body 3 by the total volume of the material forming the first tubular body 3, which can be calculated using appropriate measurements of the material forming the first tubular body 3, for example, taken with a vernier caliper. If necessary, appropriate dimensions can be measured using a microscope.

[0073] The total fineness of the filament tow forming the first tubular body 3 is preferably less than 45,000 denier, more preferably less than 42,000 denier. It has been found that this total fineness allows the formation of a tubular element 13 that is not too dense. The total fineness is preferably at least 20,000 denier, more preferably at least 25,000 denier. In a preferred embodiment, the total fineness of the filament tow forming the first tubular body 3 is 25,000 to 45,000 denier, more preferably 35,000 to 45,000 denier. The cross-sectional shape of the filaments in the tow is preferably "Y" shaped, although in other embodiments, other shapes of filaments, such as "X" shaped, can be used.

[0074] The filament tow forming the first tubular body 3 preferably has a thickness greater than 3 denier per filament. It has been found that this filament fineness allows for the formation of a tubular element 13 that is not too dense. A thickness of at least 4 denier per filament is preferred, with at least 5 denier being more preferred. In a preferred embodiment, the filament tow forming the first tubular body 3 has a thickness of 4-10 denier per filament, with 4-9 denier being more preferred. In one example, the filament tow forming the first tubular body 3 is formed from cellulose acetate and has a 8Y40,000 tow containing 18% plasticizer, such as triacetin.

[0075] The first tubular body 3 preferably contains 10% to 22% by weight of plasticizer. For cellulose acetate tow, the plasticizer is preferably triacetin, although other plasticizers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) can be used. The first tubular body 3 may contain less than about 18% by weight, or less than about 17%, less than about 16%, or less than about 15% of a plasticizer such as triacetin. More preferably, the tubular body 3 contains 10% to 20% by weight of plasticizer, for example, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 15%, about 17%, about 18%, or about 19%.

[0076] In some embodiments, the permeability of the wall material of the first tubular body 3 is at least 100 Coresta units, preferably at least 500 or 1000 Coresta units.

[0077] It has been found that a relatively high permeability of the first tubular body 3 increases the amount of heat transferred from the aerosol to the first tubular body 3, thus reducing the temperature of the aerosol. The permeability of the first tubular body 3 has also been found to increase the amount of moisture transferred from the aerosol to the first tubular body 3, which has been found to improve the feel of the aerosol in the user's mouth. The high permeability of the first tubular body 3 also makes it easier to vent the first tubular body 3 with a laser, which means that a lower power laser can be used.

[0078] The first tubular body 3 has an isoperimetric ratio L 2 The present invention may also include a filament tow including filaments having a cross-section where L / A is 25 or less, 20 or less, or 15 or less, where L is the circumference of the cross-section and A is the area of ​​the cross-section. In other words, the filaments may have a substantially "O" shaped cross-section, or a cross-section as close to that shape as possible. For a given monofilament fineness, filaments having a substantially "O" shaped cross-section have a smaller surface area than other cross-sectional shapes, such as "Y" or "X" shaped filaments. This improves aerosol delivery to the user.

[0079] It will be appreciated that aerosol drawn through the first tubular body 3 passes partially through the filaments of the first tubular body 3 itself as well as the central cavity 3a of the first tubular body 3. By providing filaments with a substantially "O" shaped cross section, a greater proportion of the aerosol passes through the filaments of the first tubular body 3 itself, further increasing heat transfer to the first tubular body 3.

[0080] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material 2 described herein may be a first aerosol-generating material 2, and the first tubular body 3 may comprise a second aerosol-generating material. For example, the second aerosol-generating material may be disposed on the inner surface of the first tubular body 3.

[0081] The second aerosol-generating material includes at least one aerosol-forming material and may also include at least one aerosol modifier or other sensate material. The aerosol-forming material and / or aerosol modifier can be any aerosol-forming material or aerosol modifier described herein, or a combination thereof.

[0082] In use, as the aerosol generated from the first aerosol-generating material 2 is drawn through the first tubular body 3, heat from the first aerosol can aerosolize the aerosol-forming material of the second aerosol-generating material to form a second aerosol. The second aerosol may include a flavoring in addition to or complementary to the flavoring of the first aerosol.

[0083] The article 1 may further comprise at least one ventilation region 12 positioned to allow external air to enter the article. In the illustrated embodiment, the ventilation region 12 comprises a row of ventilation openings or perforations cut into the wrapper 6. The ventilation openings may extend in a row around the periphery of the article 1. The ventilation region 12 may also comprise two or more rows of ventilation openings. The provision of the ventilation region 12 allows ambient air to be drawn into the article during use to further cool the aerosol.

[0084] In the illustrated embodiment, at least one ventilation area 12 is positioned to supply outside air to the cavity 3a of the first tubular body 3. To accomplish this, one or more rows of ventilation openings extend around the periphery of the article, covering the first tubular body 3.

[0085] The ventilation region 12 can be suitably located 14 to 20 mm downstream of the aerosol-generating member 2. For example, the ventilation region can be located approximately 14.5 mm or 18.5 mm downstream of the aerosol-generating material 2. In another example, the ventilation can be located 22.5 mm upstream from the mouth end of the article.

[0086] In one example, the vent region 12 comprises a single row of perforations formed as laser drilling. In some other examples, the vent region comprises first and second parallel rows of perforations formed as laser drilling, e.g., located 17.925 mm and 18.625 mm, respectively, from the mouth end. These perforations extend through the wrapper 6 and the first tubular body 3. In alternative embodiments, the venting can occur in other locations.

[0087] In some instances, the vent hole extends through the entire thickness of the wall of the hollow tubular body 3. In other instances, the vent may be formed through only a portion of the thickness of the wall of the tubular body. For example, the vent hole may extend into the tubular body to a depth of up to about 0.2 mm, or up to about 0.3 mm, or up to about 0.5 mm, or up to about 1 mm, or up to about 1.5 mm.

[0088] Alternatively, venting can be achieved through a single row of perforations, e.g., laser perforations, within the portion of the article 1 where the first tubular body 3 is located. This has been found to improve aerosol formation, believed to be due to the fact that for a given level of venting, the airflow through the perforations is more uniform than with multiple rows of perforations. In this example, the venting region 12 comprises a single row of laser perforations 18.5 mm downstream of the aerosol-generating material 2.

[0089] It will be appreciated that the precise location of the at least one vent region 12 is not critical. In another embodiment, the at least one vent region 12 is positioned to supply outside air to the aerosol-forming material 2. To accomplish this, one or more rows of vent openings extend around the periphery of the article over the rod of aerosol-forming material 2.

[0090] The level of ventilation provided by the at least one ventilation area 12 is within the range of 40% to 70% of the amount of aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material 2 passing through the item 1 when the item 1 is heated with the non-combustible aerosol delivery device 100.

[0091] It has been found that aerosol temperature generally increases with decreasing ventilation level. However, the relationship between aerosol temperature and ventilation level does not appear to be linear; for example, ventilation variations due to manufacturing tolerances have less impact at lower target ventilation levels. For example, with a ventilation tolerance of ±15%, for a target ventilation level of 75%, the aerosol temperature may increase by approximately 6°C at the lower end of ventilation (60% ventilation). However, at a target ventilation level of 60%, the aerosol temperature may increase by only approximately 3.5°C at the lower end of ventilation (45% ventilation). Thus, the target ventilation level for an article can be in the range of 40% to 70%, e.g., 45% to 65%. The average ventilation level for at least 20 articles can be 40% to 70%, e.g., 45% to 70%, or 51% to 59%.

[0092] In some embodiments, additional wrapper 10 at least partially surrounds aerosol-forming material 2 between aerosol-forming material 2 and wrapper 6. In particular, during manufacture of the article, the aerosol-forming material is first wrapped by additional wrapper 10 and then combined with other components of article 1 by wrapper 6.

[0093] In some embodiments, the additional wrapper 10 surrounding the aerosol-forming material has a high level of permeability, for example, greater than about 1000 Coresta units, or greater than about 1500 Coresta units, or greater than about 2000 Coresta units. The permeability of the additional wrapper 10 can be measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009 for determination of air permeability of materials used as cigarette paper, filter plug wrap, and filter bonding paper.

[0094] The additional wrapper 10 may be formed from a material that has an inherently high level of permeability, an inherently porous material, or may be formed from a material that has any inherent level of permeability, where the final permeability level is achieved by providing the additional wrapper 10 with permeable areas or regions. Providing a permeable additional wrapper 10 provides a path for air to enter the smoking article. The additional wrapper 10 may have a permeability such that the amount of air entering through the rod of aerosol-forming material 2 is relatively greater than the amount of air entering the article 1 through the mouthpiece ventilation region 12. An article 1 having this configuration may produce a better-tasting aerosol, which may be more satisfying to the user.

[0095] 1, article 1 further comprises a second tubular body 5 disposed between aerosol-generating material 2 and first tubular body 3. The length of second tubular body 5 is such that it extends a minimum distance d away from heater 101 of non-combustible aerosol delivery device 100 to provide the necessary separation between first tubular body 3 and the heater.

[0096] The second tubular body 5 defines a cavity 5a between the aerosol-generating material 2 and the first tubular body 3, and the length of the cavity 5a is such that when the article is inserted into the non-combustible aerosol supply device 100, it extends away from the heater 101 of the non-combustible aerosol supply device 100 by at least about 3 mm.

[0097] The second tubular body 5 is formed from paper. Specifically, the second tubular body 5 includes a paper tube 5 underlying the wrapper 6. The paper tube provides additional rigidity to the cavity 5a. Specifically, the second tubular body 5 is formed from multiple layers of paper that are wound in parallel and abutted at a seam to form the tubular member 5. In this example, the first and second paper layers are provided as a double tube; however, in other examples, three, four, or more paper layers can be used to form triple, quadruple, or more tubes. Other structures may be used, such as spirally wound paper layers, cardboard tubes, tubes formed using a paper mache-type process, or molded or extruded plastic tubes. In some examples, the second tubular body 5 may be formed from fibrous tow, as described for the first tubular body 3.

[0098] The second tubular body 5 can also be formed using stiff plug wrap and / or tipping paper, for example, as the wrapper 6 and / or the further wrapper 6′, meaning that separate tubular elements are not required, as shown in FIG. 3 and described in more detail below. The stiff plug wrap and / or tipping paper is manufactured to have sufficient rigidity to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacture and use of the article 1. For example, the basis weight of the stiff plug wrap and / or tipping paper may be between 70 gsm and 120 gsm, with 80 gsm to 110 gsm being more preferred. Additionally or alternatively, the thickness of the stiff plug wrap and / or tipping paper may be between 80 μm and 200 μm, with 100 μm to 160 μm or 120 μm to 150 μm being more preferred. It may be desirable to have values ​​in these ranges for both the wrapper 6 and / or the further wrapper 6′ to achieve an acceptable overall rigidity level for the hollow tubular member 5.

[0099] The wall thickness of the second tubular body 5 can be measured, for example, using a vernier caliper and is at least about 100 μm to about 1.5 mm, preferably 100 μm to 1 mm, more preferably 150 μm to 500 μm, or about 300 μm. In this example, the wall thickness of the second tubular body 5 is about 250 μm.

[0100] Preferably, the second tubular body 5 has a wall thickness of at least 100 microns and / or a permeability of at least 100 Coresta units. Configuring the second tubular body 5 to have a permeability of at least 100 Coresta units allows the second tubular body 5 to absorb moisture from the aerosol generated by the aerosol-forming material 2 when the article 1 is heated by the non-combustible aerosol-delivery device 100. Additionally, paper with a permeability greater than 100 Coresta units is generally lighter and easier to work with during manufacturing. The second tubular body 5 is configured to have a larger inner diameter than the first tubular body 3, i.e., a thinner wall thickness than the wall thickness of the first tubular body 3.

[0101] The length of the second tubular body 5 is preferably less than about 20 mm. The length of the second tubular body 5 is more preferably less than about 18 mm. The length of the second tubular body 5 is even more preferably less than about 15 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the second tubular body 5 is preferably at least about 5 mm. The length of the second tubular body 5 is preferably at least about 6 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the second tubular body 5 is between about 10 mm and about 14 mm, more preferably between about 11 mm and about 13 mm, and most preferably about 12 mm. In this example, the length of the second tubular body 5 is 12 mm.

[0102] In some examples, the combined length of the second tubular body 5 and the first tubular body 3 defines a distance between the upstream end of the cylindrical body 21 and the downstream end of the aerosol-generating material 2. In this example, the second tubular body 5 has a length of 12 mm, and the first tubular body 3 has a length of 9 mm. Thus, the cylindrical body 21 is separated from the aerosol-generating material by a distance of 21 mm. The maximum separation distance between the cylindrical body 21 and the aerosol-generating material is preferably 22 mm. It has been surprisingly found that providing a cooling section consisting of the second tubular body 5 and the hollow tubular body 3 configured to extend a maximum of 22 mm from the aerosol-generating material can provide an improved aerosol. It is hypothesized that limiting the combined length of the cooling section to less than 22 mm can reduce condensation of desirable components of the aerosol on the inner surface of the cooling section.

[0103] Additionally, it has surprisingly been found that the use of a first tubular body 3 immediately upstream of the cylinder 21 can further reduce condensation of desirable components of the aerosol in the cylinder 21. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesized that this is because the first tubular body 3 forces the aerosol to flow at an increased rate through the center of the cylinder 21, while the length of the cylinder 21 further reduces condensation in the cylinder. Additionally, by increasing the proportion of the aerosol that flows through the center of the cylinder 21, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cylinder through which the aerosol passes is effectively reduced, further reducing the potential condensation of desirable components of the aerosol in the cylinder 21.

[0104] The first tubular body 3 and the second tubular body 5 are also called cooling sections, and the cavities 5a, 3a defined thereby are also called first cavity 5a and second cavity 3a, respectively.

[0105] The second tubular body 5 and the first tubular body 3 are each disposed around and define a respective cavity within the mouthpiece 20 that functions as a cooling segment. The cavity provides a chamber through which the heated volatile components produced by the aerosol-forming material 2 flow.

[0106] The first cavity 5a is about 300 mm 3 It has a larger internal volume and / or the second cavity 3a is about 100 mm 3 It is preferable to have a larger internal volume. For example, the first cavity 5a may have a volume of about 310 mm 3 or approximately 330 mm 3 The second cavity 3a may have an internal volume of about 120 mm 3 The cavity may have an internal volume of at least these volumes. Providing cavities of at least these volumes has been found to allow for improved aerosol formation while providing the cooling functionality described herein. Such cavity sizes provide sufficient space within the mouthpiece to allow heated volatile components to cool, thus allowing the aerosol-generating material 2 to be exposed to higher temperatures than would otherwise be possible (which would otherwise result in an aerosol that is too warm).

[0107] Surprisingly, it has been found that the relative inner diameters and lengths of the first and second hollow cavities are important for improving aerosol quality. Providing a second tubular body 5 having a length less than 18 mm, or less than the length of the aerosol-generating material 2, has been advantageously found to reduce the likelihood of desirable components of the aerosol condensing on the inner surface of the second tubular body 5. It has also been surprisingly found that providing a first tubular body 3 immediately downstream of the second tubular body 5, having a smaller inner diameter than the hollow tubular body 5, further improves the aerosol by forcing the hot aerosol to flow through the center of the first tubular body 5, further reducing condensation on the inner surface of the tubular body.

[0108] The inner diameter of each of the first tubular body 3 and the second tubular body 5 may be selected from the ranges of about 2 mm to about 6 mm, about 2 mm to about 5 mm, about 2.5 mm to about 4.5 mm, and about 3.0 mm to about 4 mm. The inner diameter of the first tubular body 3 is selected to be smaller than the inner diameter of the second tubular body 5.

[0109] The second cavity is e.g. 75 mm 3 Larger, e.g., 90mm 3 , 100mm 3 , 140mm 3 , or 150mm 3 The second cavity 3a may have a larger internal volume, allowing for further improvement of the aerosol. In some examples, the second cavity 3a may have a volume of about 130 mm 3 ~Approx. 180mm 3 , for example, about 150 mm 3 It has a volume of

[0110] The first cavity is, for example, 100 mm 3 Larger, e.g. 200mm 3 , 300mm 3 , 350mm 3 , 400mm 3 , or 500mm 3 It has a larger internal volume, allowing for further improvement of the aerosol. In some examples, the first cavity 5a has a diameter of about 300 mm 3 ~approx. 400mm 3 , or approximately 340 mm 3 ~Approx. 360mm 3 , for example, about 350 mm 3 It has a volume of

[0111] The second tubular body 5 can be configured to provide a temperature difference of at least 40°C between the heated volatile component entering the first upstream end of the hollow tubular member 5 and the heated volatile component exiting the second downstream end of the second tubular member 5. Preferably, the second tubular body 5 is configured to provide a temperature difference of at least 60°C, preferably at least 80°C, and more preferably at least 100°C, between the heated volatile component entering the first upstream end of the hollow tubular member 5 and the heated volatile component exiting the second downstream end of the second tubular member 5. The temperature difference across the length of the second tubular body 5 protects the temperature-sensitive second body 21 from the high temperatures of the aerosol-generating material 2 as the aerosol-generating material 2 is heated.

[0112] The first tubular body 3 can be configured to provide a temperature difference of at least 5°C between the heated volatile components entering the first upstream end of the first tubular body 3 and the heated volatile components exiting the second downstream end of the first tubular body 3. Preferably, the first tubular body 3 is configured to provide a temperature difference of at least 10°C, preferably at least 12°C, and more preferably at least 15°C, between the heated volatile components entering the first upstream end of the first tubular body 3 and the heated volatile components exiting the second downstream end of the first tubular body 3.

[0113] 1-3, the mouth end section 20 comprises a third tubular body 22. The third tubular body 22 defines the mouth end of the article 1. The third tubular body 22 may comprise a tube of cellulose acetate stiffened with a plasticizer. For example, the third tubular body may be configured similarly to that described for the first tubular body 3 and may have a wall thickness and / or density range as described for the first tubular body 3.

[0114] The third tubular body 22 defines a cavity 22a in the oral end section 20 that opens at the oral end.

[0115] In some embodiments, it may be particularly advantageous to use a tubular body 22 having a length greater than about 10 mm, for example, from about 10 mm to about 30 mm, or from about 12 to about 25 mm. It has been found that when drawing aerosol through article 1, the consumer's lips may in some cases extend up to about 12 mm from the mouth end of article 1, and therefore, a tubular body 22 having a length of at least 10 mm, or at least 12 mm, means that most of the consumer's lips will surround this element.

[0116] Preferably, the length of the third tubular body 22 is less than about 20 mm. More preferably, the length of the third tubular body 22 is less than about 15 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the third hollow tubular body 22 is less than about 10 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the third tubular body 22 is at least about 5 mm. Preferably, the length of the third tubular body 22 is at least about 6 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the third tubular body 22 is between about 5 mm and about 20 mm, more preferably between about 6 mm and about 10 mm, even more preferably between about 6 mm and about 8 mm, and most preferably about 6 mm, 7 mm, or about 8 mm. In this example, the length of the third hollow tubular body 22 is 6 mm.

[0117] In other embodiments, it may be beneficial to use a tubular body 22 having a length of less than about 10 mm, e.g., about 6 mm to about 9 mm, e.g., about 6 mm. It has been found that shortening the length of the oral end section 20 can reduce condensation of desirable components of the aerosol on components of the article, thereby resulting in improved delivery of the aerosol to the user.

[0118] It has also been found that the use of the third tubular body 22 significantly reduces the temperature of the outer surface of the article 1, even upstream of the tubular body 22. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesized that this is because the third hollow tubular body 22 directs the aerosol closer to the center of the mouth end section 20, thus reducing the transfer of heat from the aerosol to the outer surface of the article.

[0119] Preferably, the inner diameter of the third hollow tubular body 22 is greater than 3.0 mm. A smaller diameter would increase the velocity of the aerosol passing through the oral end section 20 and reaching the consumer's mouth at a higher than desired rate, potentially causing the aerosol to become too warm, for example, reaching temperatures greater than 40° C. or even greater than 45° C. More preferably, the inner diameter of the tubular body 22 is greater than 3.1 mm, and even more preferably greater than 3.5 mm or 3.6 mm. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the tubular body 22 is about 3.9 mm.

[0120] The "wall thickness" of the third tubular body 22 corresponds to the radial wall thickness of the tube 22. This can be measured in a similar manner as for the first tubular body 3. The wall thickness is advantageously greater than 0.9 mm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 1.0 mm. The wall thickness is preferably substantially constant throughout the wall of the third tubular body 22. However, if the wall thickness is not substantially constant, the wall thickness is preferably greater than 0.9 mm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 1.0 mm, at any point around the third tubular body 22.

[0121] In this example, article 1 includes a body of material 21. The body of material is substantially cylindrical and is positioned immediately downstream from first tubular body 3. Body of material 21 is wrapped in additional packaging material, such as first plug wrap 23. First plug wrap 23 preferably has a basis weight of less than 50 gsm, more preferably between about 20 gsm and 40 gsm. First plug wrap 23 preferably has a thickness of between 30 μm and 60 μm, more preferably between 35 μm and 45 μm.

[0122] In other examples, the first plug wrap 23 has a basis weight greater than 65 gsm, e.g., greater than 80 gsm, or greater than 95 gsm. In some examples, the first plug wrap 23 has a basis weight of approximately 100 gsm. It has been advantageously found that providing a first plug wrap having a basis weight in these ranges and including an embossed pattern can reduce the temperature of the outer surface of the article 1 where it covers the body of material 21. For example, the first plug wrap 23 may include an embossed pattern including a repeating hexagonal pattern, a repeating linear pattern, or a series of raised areas having any suitable shape. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that providing an embossed first plug wrap 23 can provide an air gap between the plug wrap and the additional wrapper 10, which can reduce heat transfer to the outer surface of the article 1.

[0123] Preferably, the first plug wrap 23 is a non-porous plug wrap, for example, having a permeability of less than 100 Coresta units, such as less than 50 Coresta units. However, in other embodiments, the first plug wrap 23 can be a porous plug wrap, for example, having a permeability of greater than 200 Coresta units.

[0124] The third tubular body 22 is separated from the first tubular body 3 by a body of material 21 .

[0125] Preferably, the length of the body of material 21 is less than about 15 mm. More preferably, the length of the body of material 21 is less than about 10 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the body of material 21 is at least about 5 mm. Preferably, the length of the body of material 21 is at least about 6 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the body of material 21 is between about 5 mm and about 15 mm, more preferably between about 6 mm and about 12 mm, even more preferably between about 6 mm and about 12 mm, and most preferably about 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, or 10 mm. In this example, the length of the body of material 21 is 10 mm.

[0126] The body of material 21, also referred to as a cylindrical body 21, can be formed without any cavities or hollow portions, e.g., without cavities or hollow portions having dimensions greater than 0.5 mm. For example, the cylindrical body of material can comprise a material that extends substantially continuously throughout its volume. It can have, for example, a substantially uniform density across its diameter and / or along its length.

[0127] In this example, the body of material 21 is formed from filament tow. In this example, the tow used for the body of material 21 has a single denier per filament (dpf) of 8.4 and a total denier of 21,000. Alternatively, the tow may have, for example, a single denier (dpf) of 9.5 and a total denier of 12,000. Alternatively, the tow may have, for example, a single denier (dpf) of 8 and a total denier of 15,000. In this example, the tow comprises plasticized cellulose acetate tow. The plasticizer used in the tow comprises approximately 7% by weight of the tow. In this example, the plasticizer is triacetin. In other examples, different materials can be used to form the body of material 21. For example, rather than tow, the body of material 21 can be formed from paper, for example, in a manner similar to paper filters known for use in cigarettes. Alternatively, the body 21 can be formed from a tow other than cellulose acetate, such as polylactic acid (PLA), other materials described herein for filament tow, or similar materials. The tow is preferably formed from cellulose acetate. Whether formed from cellulose acetate or another material, the tow preferably has a fineness of at least 5 dpf, more preferably at least 6 dpf, and even more preferably at least 7 dpf. These fineness values ​​result in a tow with relatively coarse, thick fibers having a smaller surface area, which results in a lower pressure drop across the body 21 of material than tows with lower dpf values. To achieve a sufficiently uniform body 21 of material, the fineness of the tow is preferably 12 dpf or less, more preferably 11 dpf or less, and even more preferably 10 dpf or less.

[0128] The total fineness of the tows forming the material body 21 is preferably at most 30,000 denier, more preferably at most 28,000 denier, and even more preferably at most 25,000 denier. Tows with these total fineness values ​​occupy a smaller percentage of the cross-sectional area of ​​the article 1, resulting in a lower pressure drop across the article 1 than tows with higher total fineness values. To provide the material body 21 with an appropriate hardness, the total fineness of the tows is preferably at least 8,000 denier, more preferably at least 10,000 denier. The total fineness is preferably 10,000 to 25,000 denier, with a single fineness of 5 to 12 denier. The total fineness is more preferably 11,000 to 22,000 denier, with a single fineness of 6 to 10 denier. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the filaments in the tow is "Y" shaped, although other shapes, such as "X" or "O" shaped filaments, can be used in other embodiments, having the same dpf and total fineness values ​​provided herein. The tow may include filaments having a cross-section with an isoperimetric ratio of 25 or less, with an isoperimetric ratio of 20 or less being preferred and 15 or less being more preferred. In some examples, the body of material 21 may include an adsorbent material (e.g., charcoal) dispersed within the tow.

[0129] Regardless of the material used to form the body 6, the pressure drop across the body 6 can be, for example, 0.2 to 5 mm of water column per mm of body length, e.g., 0.5 to 2 mm of water column per mm of body length. The pressure drop can be, for example, 0.5 to 1 mm of water column per mm of length, 1 to 1.5 mm of water column per mm of length, or 1.5 to 2 mm of water column per mm of length. The total pressure drop across the body 6 can be, for example, 2 to 8 mm of water column, or 4 to 7 mm of water column. The total pressure drop across the body 6 can be approximately 5, 6, or 7 mm of water column.

[0130] In some examples, the body of material 21 may comprise a capsule. The capsule may comprise a breakable capsule, e.g., a capsule having a solid, frangible shell surrounding a liquid payload. In some examples, a single capsule is used. The capsule is entirely embedded within the body of material 21. In other words, the capsule is completely surrounded by the material forming the body of material. In other examples, multiple breakable capsules, e.g., two, three, or more breakable capsules, may be disposed within the body of material 21. The length of the body of material 21 may be extended to accommodate the required number of capsules. In examples where multiple capsules are used, the individual capsules may be the same as or different from one another in terms of size and / or capsule payload. In other examples, multiple bodies of material may be provided, each containing one or more capsules.

[0131] In some embodiments, a non-combustion aerosol delivery system is provided comprising an aerosol modifying component and a heater 101 operable to heat an aerosol-generating material such that, in use, the aerosol-generating material delivers an aerosol. The aerosol modifying component comprises first and second capsules. The first capsule is disposed in a first portion of the aerosol modifying component and the second capsule is disposed in a second portion of the aerosol modifying component downstream from the first portion.

[0132] A first portion of the aerosol modifying component is heated to a first temperature during operation of the heater 101 to generate an aerosol, and a second portion is heated to a second temperature during operation of the heater to generate an aerosol, the second temperature being at least 4 degrees Celsius lower than the first temperature. Preferably, the second temperature is at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 degrees Celsius lower than the first temperature.

[0133] The aerosol modifying component may comprise one or more components of the article. In some embodiments, the aerosol modifying component comprises a body of material 21, and the first and second capsules are disposed within the body of material 21. The body of material may comprise cellulose acetate. In another embodiment, the aerosol modifying component comprises two bodies of material, and the first and second capsules are disposed within the first and second bodies of material, respectively. In some embodiments, the aerosol modifying component alternatively or additionally comprises one or more tubular elements upstream and / or downstream of the body(s) of material. The aerosol generating component may comprise a mouthpiece.

[0134] In some embodiments, the second capsule is spaced from the first capsule by a distance of at least 7 mm, where the distance is measured from the center of the first capsule to the center of the second capsule. Preferably, the second capsule is spaced from the first capsule by a distance of at least 8, 9, or 10 mm. It has been found that the greater the distance between the first and second capsules, the greater the difference between the first and second temperatures.

[0135] The first capsule comprises an aerosol modifier. The second capsule comprises an aerosol modifier that may be the same as or different from the aerosol modifier in the first capsule. In some embodiments, a user can selectively rupture the first and second capsules by applying an external force to the aerosol modifying component to release the aerosol modifier from each capsule.

[0136] The aerosol modifier in the second capsule is heated to a lower temperature than the aerosol modifier in the first capsule due to the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

[0137] The aerosol modifier for the first capsule and the aerosol modifier for the second capsule can be selected based on this temperature difference. For example, the first capsule may contain a first aerosol modifier with a lower vapor pressure than the second aerosol modifier for the second capsule. If both capsules are heated to the same temperature, the higher vapor pressure of the aerosol modifier in the second capsule means that a greater amount of the second aerosol modifier will volatilize than the aerosol modifier in the first capsule. However, because the second capsule is heated to a lower temperature, this effect is lessened, resulting in a more equal amount of the aerosol modifier in the first capsule and the aerosol modifier in the second capsule volatilizing upon the destruction of the first and second capsules.

[0138] In some embodiments, the first and second capsules have the same aerosol modification profile, meaning they contain the same amount of the same type of aerosol modifier, so that when both capsules are heated to the same temperature and broken, both capsules will cause the same modification of the aerosol. However, because the first capsule is heated to a higher temperature than the second capsule, a greater amount of the aerosol modifier in the first capsule will, for example, volatilize compared to the modifier in the second capsule, thus causing more significant modification of the aerosol than the second capsule. Thus, even though both capsules are the same (which may make the aerosol modifying components easier and / or cheaper to manufacture), a user can decide whether to break the first capsule to cause more significant modification of the aerosol, break the second capsule to cause less significant modification of the aerosol, or break both capsules to cause maximum modification of the aerosol.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first and second capsules both contain a first and second aerosol modifier. The first aerosol modifier has a lower vapor pressure than the second aerosol modifier. Thus, when using the system to generate an aerosol, a greater proportion of the second aerosol modifier is vaporized when the second capsule is ruptured compared to when the hotter first capsule is ruptured. Thus, the same capsule can be used to produce different modifications of the aerosol based on the capsule's location in the first or second portion of the aerosol modifying component.

[0140] The capsule has a core-shell structure. In other words, the capsule comprises a shell that encapsulates a liquid agent, such as a flavoring or other agent, which may be any one of the flavorings or aerosol-modifying agents described herein. The capsule shell can be ruptured by a user to release the flavoring or other agent into the body of material 21. The first plug wrap 23 may comprise a barrier coating to render the plug wrap material substantially impermeable to the liquid payload of the capsule. Alternatively, or in addition, the packaging material 6 may comprise a barrier coating to render the packaging material 6 material substantially impermeable to the liquid payload of the capsule.

[0141] In some instances, the capsules are spherical and have a diameter of about 3 mm. In other instances, capsules of other shapes and sizes can be used. The total weight of the capsules can be in the range of about 10 mg to about 50 mg.

[0142] For a given tow specification (e.g., 8.4Y21000), it is known to generate a tow performance curve that represents the pressure drop through the length of a rod formed using the tow for each range of tow weights. Parameters such as rod length and circumference, wrapper thickness, and tow plasticizer level are specified and combined with the tow specification to generate a tow performance curve. The tow performance curve indicates the pressure drop provided by different tow weights between the minimum and maximum weights achievable using standard filter rod forming machinery. Such tow performance curves can be calculated, for example, using software available from tow suppliers. It has been found particularly advantageous to use a material body 21 comprising a filament tow having a weight per mm of material body 21 length that is about 10% to about 30% of the range between the minimum and maximum weights of the tow performance curve generated for the filament tow. This can provide an acceptable balance between providing a tow weight sufficient to avoid shrinkage after the body 21 is formed, providing an acceptable pressure drop, while also aiding capsule placement within the tow for capsules of the size described herein.

[0143] To determine the distribution of the desired aerosol components nicotine and glycerol throughout the article after use, control samples and articles according to the claimed invention were tested as described below. The pre-use levels of glycerol and nicotine in the aerosol-forming material were also determined using mass balance analysis as described below.

[0144] The control sample had an aerosol-generating material section having a length of 30 mm, a second tubular body 5 having a length of 17 mm, a cylindrical body 21 having a length of 10 mm, and a third tubular body 22 having a length of 6 mm, positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating section. Sample A had a configuration as shown and generally described with reference to FIG. 1 and included an aerosol-generating material section having a length of 30 mm, a second tubular body 5 having a length of 8 mm, a first tubular body 3 having a length of 9 mm, a cylindrical body 21 having a length of 10 mm, and a third tubular body 22 having a length of 6 mm, positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating section.

[0145] Samples for mass balance analysis were taken from the cooling section comprising the aerosol-generating material 2, the second tubular body 5, and, if present, the first tubular body 3, and the mouth end section comprising the cylindrical body 21 and the third tubular body 22.

[0146] The amounts of nicotine and glycerol in each of the mouth-end section, cooling section, and aerosol-generation section after use of the article can be determined using mass balance analysis, and the amounts of nicotine and glycerol present in the delivered aerosol can be determined using exhaust analysis. Mass balance analysis and exhaust analysis are techniques known to those skilled in the art. [Table 1] [Table 2]

[0147] To obtain the data shown in Tables 1 and 2 above, a mass balance analysis was performed to determine the amount of a given substance (nicotine and glycerol, respectively, in the examples of Tables 1 and 2 herein) present in a given section of the article after use. A mass balance analysis was also used to determine the amount of nicotine and glycerol present in a given section of the article before use, so that both the distribution of the substances in the article and the amount present in the aerosol generated from the article could be compared to the total amount of the substance initially given.

[0148] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that when an "article" is referred to in connection with these data and the experimental methods by which they were obtained, the "article" does not refer to a single, specific article, but rather to an article having a particular design or configuration, and is therefore comparable to other articles having the same particular design or configuration. As explained in more detail below, several such articles were analyzed to obtain the values ​​presented herein (which represent average values). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the same individual article was not tested both before and after use to obtain the before- and after-use data points. Instead, the before-use data was obtained from several articles having a particular design or configuration, and the after-use data was obtained from several separate articles having the same particular design or configuration.

[0149] To obtain samples for mass balance analysis, the articles are broken down into sections. The number of articles broken down to obtain samples is sufficient to provide a total mass of at least 1 gram for the analyzed samples. Each sample includes several relevant components of the broken down article (e.g., aerosol-generating material section 2, or cylindrical body 21 and third tubular body 22) in sufficient numbers so that the total mass of the components taken from the several articles combined is at least 1 gram. The mass balance analysis should be repeated at least three times, with each repeat performed on a new sample obtained from a new set of articles. An average amount of material in mg is then obtained from the average of at least three repeats (3 repeats x typically 5-8 articles sampled per repeat = 15-24 articles sampled for each average).

[0150] As above, mass balance analysis using the sampling protocol described in the previous paragraph was performed to determine the nicotine and glycerol content of the articles prior to use.

[0151] Emission analysis can be performed using a standard smoking regimen and the heating device intended for use with the article to determine the nicotine and glycerol content of the aerosol produced. The smoking regimen is in accordance with the ISO intense regimen (here, including a 55 ml puff volume, a 30-second interval between puffs, and a 2-second puff duration), but in an open configuration with optional ventilation. If the device has any "boost" or additional smoking features, these must not be used to conduct the test.

[0152] Following use in a standard smoking regime as described above, the articles were sampled for mass balance analysis according to the sampling protocol described above to determine the post-use distribution of nicotine and glycerol in the articles.

[0153] A comparison of the nicotine and glycerol content of the aerosol from the control article and Sample A shows that there was 78% more nicotine and 85% more glycerol in the aerosol generated from Sample A. Thus, in articles made in accordance with the present disclosure, significantly increased amounts of the desirable components of the aerosol are available for delivery to the user.

[0154] The data presented in Tables 1 and 2 above show that Sample A had less nicotine and glycerol present in both the mouth end section and the cooling section after use compared to the control article. As explained above, this is hypothesized to be due to reduced condensation of the aerosol on the inner surface of the tubular body and within the material of the cylindrical body.

[0155] 2, the length of the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 is such that when article 1′ is inserted into non-combustible aerosol-delivery device 100, it extends a minimum distance d away from heater 101 of non-combustible aerosol-delivery device 100. Thus, the rod of aerosol-generating material 2 provides the necessary spacing between first tubular body 3 and the heater without the need to space first tubular body 3 from the rod of aerosol-generating material.

[0156] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first tubular body is spaced from the aerosol-generating material 2 such that a minimum distance d is maintained between the heater 101 of the non-combustible aerosol-delivery device 100 and the first tubular body 3 when the article 1'' is inserted into the non-combustible aerosol-delivery device 100. The space between the aerosol-generating material 2 and the first tubular body 3 defines a cavity 6a.

[0157] It will be understood that the third tubular body 22 is not required and may be omitted. For example, in the embodiment shown by Figure 4, the mouth end section 20' comprises a body of material 21 adjacent to the first tubular body 3 and held thereto by the wrapper 6.

[0158] In another embodiment shown by FIG. 4a, the mouth end section 20'' comprises a body of material 21 comprising an inner body 21a and an outer body 21b. The outer body 21b is a tube that surrounds the inner body 21a. The resistance to gas flow through the length of the inner body 21a is less than the resistance to gas flow through the length of the outer body 21b. This can be achieved by providing the outer body 21b with a higher fiber density than the inner body 21a.

[0159] 5, the mouth end 20 comprises a body of material 21 having a non-circular cross-section. In this embodiment, the sheet of additional wrapping material 23 extending between the body of material 21 and the wrapper 6 comprises a pattern of strength discontinuities. The strength discontinuities result in a non-uniform curvature of at least a portion of the additional wrapping material 23, giving the body of material 21 its non-circular cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, the additional wrapping material 23, and the body of material 21 within the additional wrapping material 23, exhibit a star-shaped cross-section.

[0160] A method of manufacturing article 1 for use as, or as part of, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system will now be described with reference to Figure 6. The method comprises: Step S1 of providing an aerosol-generating material 2 including at least one aerosol-forming material; Step S2 of positioning a tubular body downstream of the aerosol-generating material, the tubular body 3 having a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm; Step S3 of disposing a cylindrical body 21 downstream of the tubular body; Step S4 of disposing a second tubular body 22 downstream of the cylindrical body; Includes:

[0161] In some embodiments, steps S2 to S4 may be performed simultaneously, and the wound section comprising the tubular body 2, the cylindrical body 21, and the tubular body 22 may be provided together and attached to the aerosol-generating material 2.

[0162] 7 shows an example of a non-combustion aerosol delivery device 100 comprising a heater 101 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating medium / material, such as the aerosol-generating material 11 of the article 10 described herein. Generally, the device 100 can be used to heat a replaceable article 110 comprising an aerosol-generating medium, such as the article 10 described herein, to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium that is inhaled by a user of the device 100. The device 100 and the replaceable article 110 together form a system.

[0163] The device 100 comprises a housing 102 (in the form of an outer cover) that surrounds and houses the various components of the device 100. The device 100 has an opening 104 at one end through which an item 110 can be inserted for heating by a heater 101 (hereafter referred to as a heating assembly). In use, the item 110 can be fully or partially inserted into the heating assembly and heated by one or more components of the heater assembly.

[0164] The device 100 in this example includes a first end member 106 with a lid 108 movable relative to the first end member 106 to close the opening 104 when the item 110 is not in place. In Figure 7, the lid 108 is shown in an open configuration, but the lid 108 can be moved to a closed configuration. For example, a user can slide the lid 108 in the direction of arrow "B."

[0165] Device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 112, such as a button or switch, that, when pressed, operates device 100. For example, a user can turn device 100 on by operating switch 112.

[0166] Device 100 may also include an electrical component such as a socket / port 114 that can accept a cable to charge a battery of device 100. For example, socket 114 may be a charging port, such as a USB charging port.

[0167] FIG. 8 shows the device 100 of FIG. 7 with the outer cover 102 removed and the article 110 absent. The device 100 defines a longitudinal axis 134. As shown in FIG. 8, the first end member 106 is disposed at one end of the device 100, and the second end member 116 is disposed at the opposite end of the device 100. The first end member 106 and the second end member 116 together at least partially define an end surface of the device 100. For example, the bottom surface of the second end member 116 at least partially defines the bottom surface of the device 100. An edge of the outer cover 102 may also define a portion of the end surface. In this example, the lid 108 also defines a portion of the top surface of the device 100.

[0168] The end of the device nearest opening 104 is sometimes known as the proximal end (or mouth end) of device 100, as it is closest to the user's mouth during use. In use, a user inserts item 110 into opening 104 and operates user control 112 to initiate heating of the aerosol-generating material and draw in the aerosol generated within the device. This causes the aerosol to flow along a flow path through device 100 toward the proximal end of device 100.

[0169] The other end of the device furthest from opening 104 is sometimes known as the distal end of device 100, as it is the end farthest from the user's mouth during use. When a user draws in aerosol generated within the device, the aerosol flows away from the distal end of device 100.

[0170] Device 100 further includes a power source 118. Power source 118 may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (such as lithium-ion batteries), nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries. The battery is electrically coupled to the heating assembly to provide power for heating the aerosol-generating material when needed under the control of a controller (not shown). In this example, the battery is connected to a central support 120 that holds battery 118 in place.

[0171] The device further includes at least one electronic module 122. The electronic module 122 may include, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB 122 may support at least one controller, such as a processor, and a memory. The PCB 122 may also include one or more electrical tracks for electrically connecting various electronic components of the device 100 together. For example, battery terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB 122 so that power can be distributed throughout the device 100. The socket 114 may also be electrically coupled to the battery via electrical tracks.

[0172] In the exemplary device 100, the heating assembly is an induction heating assembly and includes various components for heating the aerosol-generating material of the article 110 via an induction heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrical conductor (such as a susceptor) via electromagnetic induction. The induction heating assembly can include an induction element, such as one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the induction element. The varying current in the induction element generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor suitably positioned relative to the induction element and generates eddy currents within the susceptor. The susceptor has an electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and therefore, the eddy currents flow against this resistance, heating the susceptor via Joule heating. If the susceptor includes a ferromagnetic material, such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, heat can also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e., by the magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material varying in orientation as a result of aligning with the varying magnetic field. In induction heating, heat is generated inside the susceptor, which allows for rapid heating, as compared to, for example, conduction heating, and further, no physical contact between the induction heater and the susceptor is required, which allows for greater flexibility in design and application.

[0173] The induction heating assembly of the exemplary device 100 includes a susceptor structure 132 (referred to herein as a "susceptor"), a first inductor coil 124, and a second inductor coil 126. The first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 are made from an electrically conductive material. In this example, the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 are made from litz wire / cable that is helically wound to provide the helical inductor coils 124, 126. Litz wire includes multiple individual wires that are individually insulated and twisted together to form a single wire. Litz wire is designed to reduce skin effect losses in conductors. In the exemplary device 100, the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 are made from copper litz wire with a rectangular cross-section. In other examples, the litz wire can have other cross-section shapes, such as circular.

[0174] The first inductor coil 124 is configured to generate a first varying magnetic field for heating a first section of the susceptor 132, and the second inductor coil 126 is configured to generate a second varying magnetic field for heating a second section of the susceptor 132. In this example, the first inductor coil 124 is adjacent to the second inductor coil 126 in a direction along the longitudinal axis 134 of the device 100 (i.e., the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 do not overlap). The susceptor structure 132 may comprise a single susceptor or two or more separate susceptors. Ends 130 of the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 may be connected to the PCB 122.

[0175] It will be appreciated that in some examples, the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 may have at least one characteristic that differs from one another. For example, the first inductor coil 124 may have at least one characteristic that differs from the second inductor coil 126. More specifically, in one example, the first inductor coil 124 may have a different inductance value than the second inductor coil 126. In FIG. 8 , the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 are of different lengths, such that the first inductor coil 124 is wound on a smaller section of the susceptor 132 than the second inductor coil 126. Thus, the first inductor coil 124 may have a different number of turns than the second inductor coil 126 (assuming the spacing between individual turns is substantially the same). In yet another example, the first inductor coil 124 may be made of a different material than the second inductor coil 126. In some examples, the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 may be substantially identical.

[0176] In this example, the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 are wound in opposite directions. This can be useful when the inductor coils are operating at different times. For example, the first inductor coil 124 may initially operate to heat a first section / portion of the article 110, and then the second inductor coil 126 may operate to heat a second section / portion of the article 110. Winding the coils in opposite directions can help reduce current induced in inactive coils when used with certain types of control circuits. In FIG. 8 , the first inductor coil 124 is a right-handed spiral and the second inductor coil 126 is a left-handed spiral. However, in other embodiments, the inductor coil 124 and the inductor coil 126 may be wound in the same direction, or the first inductor coil 124 may be a left-handed spiral and the second inductor coil 126 may be a right-handed spiral.

[0177] The susceptor 132 in this example is hollow, thus defining a receptacle therein for receiving the aerosol-generating material. For example, the article 110 can be inserted into the susceptor 132. In this example, the susceptor 120 is tubular with a circular cross section.

[0178] The susceptor 132 may be made from one or more materials, and preferably comprises carbon steel coated with nickel or cobalt.

[0179] In some examples, the susceptor 132 may include at least two materials that can be heated at two different frequencies to selectively aerosolize at least two materials. For example, a first section of the susceptor 132 (heated by the first inductor coil 124) may include a first material, and a second section of the susceptor 132 (heated by the second inductor coil 126) may include a different second material. In another example, the first section may include first and second materials, and the first and second materials may be heated differently based on the operation of the first inductor coil 124. The first and second materials may be adjacent along an axis defined by the susceptor 132 or may form different layers within the susceptor 132. Similarly, the second section may include third and fourth materials, and the third and fourth materials may be heated differently based on the operation of the second inductor coil 126. The third material and the fourth material may be adjacent along an axis defined by the susceptor 132, or may form different layers within the susceptor 132. For example, the third material may be the same as the first material, and the fourth material may be the same as the second material. Alternatively, each of the materials may be different. For example, the susceptor may include carbon steel or aluminum.

[0180] 8 further includes an insulating member 128, which may be generally tubular and at least partially surround the susceptor 132. The insulating member 128 may be constructed from any insulating material, such as, for example, plastic. In this particular example, the insulating material is constructed from polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The insulating material 128 may help insulate various components of the device 100 from heat generated by the susceptor 132.

[0181] The insulating member 128 can also fully or partially support the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126 are disposed around the insulating member 128 and are in contact with the radially outward surface of the insulating member 128. In some examples, the insulating member 128 does not abut the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126. For example, there may be a slight gap between the outer surface of the insulating member 128 and the inner surfaces of the first inductor coil 124 and the second inductor coil 126.

[0182] In a particular example, the susceptor 132 , the insulating member 128 , and the first and second inductor coils 124 , 126 are concentric about a central longitudinal axis of the susceptor 132 .

[0183] 9 is a partial cross-sectional side view of device 100, in this example without outer cover 102. The rectangular cross-sectional shapes of first inductor coil 124 and second inductor coil 126 can be seen more clearly.

[0184] The device 100 further comprises a support 136 that engages one end of the susceptor 132 to hold the susceptor 132 in place. The support 136 is connected to the second end member 116.

[0185] The device may also include an associated second printed circuit board 138 within the control element 112 .

[0186] The device 100 further includes a second lid / cap 140 and a spring 142 disposed toward the distal end of the device 100. The spring 142 allows the second lid 140 to be opened to access the susceptor 132. A user can open the second lid 140 to clean the susceptor 132 and / or the support 136.

[0187] The device 100 further includes an expansion chamber 144 that extends away from the proximal end of the susceptor 132 toward the opening 104 of the device. A retention clip 146 is at least partially disposed within the expansion chamber 144 to abut and hold the article 110 when the article 110 is received within the device 100. The expansion chamber 144 is connected to the end member 106.

[0188] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the device 100 of FIG. 9, omitting the outer cover 102.

[0189] FIG. 11A shows a cross section of a portion of the device 100 of FIG. 9. FIG. 11B is an enlarged view of a region of FIG. 11A. FIGS. 11A and 11B show an article 110 received within a susceptor 132, where the article 110 is dimensioned so that the outer surface of the article 110 abuts the inner surface of the susceptor 132. This ensures that heating is most efficient. The article 110 in this example comprises an aerosol-generating material 110a. The aerosol-generating material 110a is disposed within the susceptor 132. The article 110 may also comprise other components, such as a filter, packaging material, and / or cooling structure.

[0190] 11B shows that the outer surface of the susceptor 132 is spaced from the inner surfaces of the inductor coils 124, 126 by a distance 150 measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 158 of the susceptor 132. In one particular example, the distance 150 is about 3 mm to 4 mm, about 3 mm to 3.5 mm, or about 3.25 mm.

[0191] 11B further shows that the outer surface of the insulating member 128 is spaced from the inner surfaces of the inductor coils 124, 126 by a distance 152 measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 158 of the susceptor 132. In one particular example, the distance 152 is approximately 0.05 mm. In another example, the distance 152 is substantially 0 mm, such that the inductor coils 124, 126 are in abutting contact with the insulating member 128.

[0192] In one example, the susceptor 132 has a wall thickness 154 of between about 0.025 mm and 1 mm, or about 0.05 mm.

[0193] In one example, the susceptor 132 has a length of about 40 mm to 60 mm, about 40 mm to 45 mm, or about 44.5 mm.

[0194] In one example, the insulating member 128 has a wall thickness 156 of between about 0.25 mm and 2 mm, between 0.25 mm and 1 mm, or about 0.5 mm.

[0195] In use, the article 10 described herein can be inserted into a non-combustible aerosol delivery device, such as the device 100 described with reference to Figures 7-11. At least a portion of the mouthpiece 1 of the article 10 protrudes from the non-combustible aerosol delivery device 100 and can be placed in a user's mouth. An aerosol is generated by heating an aerosol-forming material 11 using the device 100. The aerosol generated by the aerosol-forming material 11 passes through the mouthpiece 1 to the user's mouth.

[0196] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as merely representative examples of embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive of all embodiments. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or the equivalents thereof, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any suitable combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Additionally, the present disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. 1. An article for use as, or as part of, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, comprising: an aerosol-generating material comprising at least one aerosol-forming material; a first hollow tubular body disposed downstream of the aerosol-forming material, the first hollow tubular body having a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm; a second hollow tubular body having a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm; a cylindrical body disposed between the first hollow tubular body and the second hollow tubular body; An article comprising:

2. 1. An article for use as, or as part of, a non-combustible aerosol delivery system, comprising: an aerosol-generating material comprising at least one aerosol-forming material; a hollow tubular member formed from a cellulosic material and positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming material; Equipped with The article, wherein the hollow tubular member has a length of from about 5 mm to about 18 mm.

3. The article of claim 2 , further comprising a first hollow tubular body disposed downstream of the hollow tubular member.

4. The article of claim 3 , wherein the first hollow tubular body has a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm.

5. 5. The article of claim 3 or 4, further comprising a second hollow tubular body having a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm.

6. The article of claim 5 , further comprising a cylindrical body disposed between the first hollow tubular body and the second hollow tubular body.

7. 10. The article of claim 1 or 6, wherein the cylindrical body is positioned immediately adjacent to the first hollow tubular body and the second hollow tubular body.

8. 8. The article of claim 1, 6 or 7, wherein the columnar body is substantially continuous.

9. 9. The article of claim 1, or claim 7 or 8 when dependent on claim 1, further comprising a hollow tubular member positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming material.

10. The article of claim 9 when dependent on claim 1, wherein the hollow tubular member has a length of from about 5 mm to about 18 mm.

11. 11. The article of claim 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, wherein the first hollow tubular body and / or the second hollow tubular body have an average density of about 0.25 g / cc to about 0.75 g / cc.

12. 11. The article of claim 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein the first hollow tubular body is formed from paper or filament tow.

13. 11. The article of claim 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein the second hollow tubular body is formed from paper or filament tow.

14. The article of any one of claims 2 to 9 when dependent on claim 9, or any one of claims 10 to 13 when dependent on claim 9, wherein the hollow tubular member is formed from paper or filament tow.

15. 15. The article of claim 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, or any one of claims 12 to 14 when dependent on claim 1 or 6, wherein the pressure drop across the cylinder is 0.3 to 0.5 mm of water column per mm of length of the cylinder, or 0.5 to 2 mm of water column per mm of length of the cylinder, or 0.5 to 1 mm of water column per mm of length of the cylinder, or 1 to 1.5 mm of water column per mm of length of the cylinder, or 1.5 to 2 mm of water column per mm of length of the cylinder.

16. 15. The article of claim 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 15, or any one of claims 12 to 14 when dependent on claim 1 or 6, wherein the pressure drop across the cylindrical body is between 3 mm and 8 mm of water column, or between 4 mm and 7 mm of water column.

17. 16. The article of claim 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 or 15, wherein the first hollow tubular body and / or the second hollow tubular body have a wall thickness of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

18. a non-combustible aerosol delivery device; The article according to any one of claims 1 to 17. A system comprising:

19. a non-combustible aerosol delivery device; The article of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the aerosol-forming material comprises an amount of nicotine. A system comprising: A system wherein, in use, the aerosol generated by the system comprises at least 30% of the amount of nicotine supplied to the aerosol-generating material prior to use, or at least 35% of the amount of nicotine supplied to the aerosol-generating material prior to use, or at least 40% of the amount of nicotine supplied to the aerosol-generating material prior to use.

20. 20. The system of claim 19, used in accordance with a standard smoking regimen.

21. a non-combustible aerosol delivery device; The article of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the aerosol-forming material comprises an amount of glycerol. A system comprising: A system wherein, in use, the aerosol generated by the system comprises at least 15% of the amount of glycerol provided to the aerosol-generating material prior to use, or at least 20% of the amount of glycerol provided to the aerosol-generating material prior to use.

22. 22. The system of claim 21, used in accordance with a standard smoking regime.

23. A method for producing an article according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising the steps of: Providing an aerosol-generating material comprising at least one aerosol-forming material; disposing a tubular body downstream of the aerosol-generating material, the tubular body having a wall thickness greater than about 0.5 mm; disposing a cylindrical body downstream of the tubular body; disposing a second tubular body downstream of the cylindrical body; A method comprising:

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