Liquid-conveying susceptor assembly for conveying and inductively heating aerosol-forming liquid

Abstract

To provide a liquid-conveying susceptor assembly for conveying and inductively heating an aerosol-forming liquid.SOLUTION: A susceptor assembly comprises a filament bundle which in turn comprises at least a plurality of first filaments including a first susceptor material. Along at least a parallel-bundle portion of the filament bundle, the plurality of first filaments are arranged parallel to each other. The invention further relates to an inductive heating assembly and an aerosol-generating article, each comprising such a susceptor assembly. The invention also relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an inductively heating aerosol-generating device, an aerosol-generating article for use with the device, and an inductive heating assembly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid-transfer susceptor assembly for transporting and inductively heating an aerosol-forming liquid. The present invention further relates to an induction heating assembly and an aerosol-generating article, each including such a susceptor assembly. The present invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system including an induction-heated aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article for use in the device. [Background technology]

[0002] It is generally known in the prior art to generate inhalable aerosols by heating an aerosol-forming liquid. To this end, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate may be transported by a wick element from a liquid reservoir into a region outside the reservoir, where it is vaporized by a heater and exposed to an air path for subsequent extraction as an aerosol. The heater may be an induction heater. Specifically, the wick element may be an inductively heatable wick element comprising a susceptor material and thus capable of performing both suction and heating functions. Thus, when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, the wick element heats due to at least one of eddy currents or magnetic hysteresis losses induced in the wick element, depending on its magnetic and electrical properties. Consequently, such a wick element may also be considered a liquid-transporting susceptor or susceptor assembly.

[0003] There are various configurations of core elements, such as mesh configurations, however, many of these configurations are complex and therefore laborious to manufacture.

[0004] It would therefore be desirable to have a liquid delivery susceptor assembly, an induction heating assembly, an aerosol-generating article, and an aerosol-generation system that has the advantages of the prior art solutions while mitigating the limitations of the prior art. In particular, it would be desirable to have a liquid delivery susceptor assembly, an induction heating assembly, an aerosol-generating article, and an aerosol-generation system that includes a liquid delivery susceptor that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid delivery susceptor assembly for delivering and inductively heating an aerosol-forming liquid under the influence of an alternating magnetic field, the susceptor assembly including a filament bundle including at least a plurality of first filaments comprising a first susceptor material, the plurality of first filaments being arranged parallel to one another along at least a parallel bundle portion of the filament bundle.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that susceptor assemblies including filament bundles having parallel bundle portions along at least a portion of their length extension can be easy and inexpensive to manufacture, particularly compared to more complex susceptor assembly configurations such as mesh configurations. Essentially, such susceptor assemblies can be manufactured by bundling a plurality of individual filaments arranged in at least partially parallel order into a filament bundle and cutting the filament bundle to the desired length.

[0007] As used herein, the term "parallel" refers to a substantially parallel arrangement that includes small deviations from a perfectly parallel arrangement of at most 5 degrees, in particular at most 2 degrees, preferably at most 1 degree, and more preferably at most 0.5 degrees. That is, in a parallel bundle portion, the filaments may diverge from each other by at most 5 degrees, in particular at most 2 degrees, preferably at most 1 degree, and more preferably at most 0.5 degrees.

[0008] Filaments are particularly suited for transporting liquids because they inherently provide capillary action. Furthermore, in filament bundles, capillary action is further enhanced due to the narrow spaces formed between the filaments when bundled. This applies particularly to parallel-bundle portions of filament bundles, along which capillary action is constant, because the narrow spaces between the filaments do not change along the length of the bundle. Therefore, parallel-bundle portions are particularly suited for at least partial immersion within a liquid reservoir to transfer aerosol-forming liquid from the liquid reservoir to an area outside the reservoir. Here, the transported liquid can be vaporized and exposed to an air path to be drawn off as an aerosol.

[0009] The filament bundle is preferably a non-stranded filament bundle. In an untwisted filament bundle, the filaments of the filament bundle extend adjacent to each other without crossing each other, preferably along the entire length of the filament bundle. In particular, in a parallel bundle section, the filaments run parallel without crossing each other. Similarly, the filament bundle may include a stranded section in which the filaments of the filament bundle are stranded. The stranded section may enhance the mechanical stability of the filament bundle.

[0010] The plurality of first filaments are preferably solid material filaments, which are inexpensive and easy to manufacture, and further provide good mechanical stability and therefore make the filament bundle robust.

[0011] For the same reason, the plurality of first filaments are preferably single grade material filaments, and as a result, the plurality of first filaments are preferably made of the first susceptor material.

[0012] Because the first filament includes or is made of a first susceptor material, the filament bundle can perform both the functions of transporting and heating the aerosol-forming liquid. Advantageously, this dual function allows for the design of a very material-saving and compact susceptor assembly without separate means for transport and heating. In addition, there is direct thermal contact between the heat source, i.e., the filament, and the aerosol-forming liquid adhering to the filament. Unlike heaters that contact a saturated wick, direct contact between the filament and a small amount of liquid advantageously allows for flash heating, i.e., rapid onset of evaporation.

[0013] As used herein, the term "susceptor material" refers to a material that has the ability to convert electromagnetic energy into heat when subjected to an alternating magnetic field. This can be the result of at least one of hysteresis loss or eddy currents induced in the susceptor material depending on its electrical and magnetic properties. Hysteresis loss occurs in ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic susceptor materials due to magnetic domains in the material being switched under the influence of the alternating electromagnetic field. Eddy currents are induced in conductive susceptor materials. In the case of conductive ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic susceptor materials, heat is generated by both eddy currents and hysteresis loss.

[0014] As a result, the first susceptor material may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate. Accordingly, the first susceptor material may include or be made of a material that is electrically conductive and at least one of ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic. That is, the first susceptor material may include or be made of a ferrimagnetic material, a ferromagnetic material, or an electrically conductive material, or one of an electrically conductive ferrimagnetic material or an electrically conductive ferromagnetic material.

[0015] For example, the first susceptor material may include or be made from one of ferrite, aluminum, iron, nickel, copper, bronze, cobalt, nickel alloy, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, ferromagnetic stainless steel, martensitic stainless steel, or austenitic stainless steel.

[0016] Suction or capillary action generally depends on the reduction in surface energy of two distinct surfaces, the liquid surface and the solid surface of the filament. Suction or capillary action involves effects that depend on the radii of curvature of both the liquid surface and the filament. Thus, there may be a need for a large surface area and a small radius of curvature, both of which are achieved by the small diameter of the filament and the brush-like nature of the filament bundle. The radius of curvature of the filament is important in allowing the liquid to wet the filament.

[0017] Thus, the plurality of first filaments may have a diameter of at most 0.025 millimeters, at most 0.05 millimeters, at most 0.1 millimeters, at most 0.15 millimeters, at most 0.2 millimeters, at most 0.25 millimeters, at most 0.3 millimeters, at most 0.35 millimeters, at most 0.4 millimeters, at most 0.45 millimeters, or at most 0.5 millimeters.

[0018] Conversely, the diameter of the first filaments preferably has a minimum value related to the so-called skin depth. Skin depth is a measure of how far electrical conduction occurs within a conductive susceptor material when it is inductively heated. Unlike DC current, AC current flows primarily through the "skin" of the conductor, between the outer surface of the conductor and a level called the skin depth. AC current density is greatest near the surface of the conductor and decreases with increasing depth into the conductor. This phenomenon is known as the skin effect, which is essentially due to opposing eddy currents induced by an alternating magnetic field. The multiple first filaments preferably have a diameter at least twice the skin depth to induce a sufficient amount of eddy currents and, therefore, generate a sufficient amount of thermal energy.

[0019] Generally, the skin depth is a function of the frequency of the AC drive current or the frequency of the alternating magnetic field, respectively, as well as the permeability and conductivity of the susceptor material. Preferably, the susceptor assembly is operated with a high frequency alternating magnetic field. As referred to herein, the high frequency electromagnetic field may be in the range of 500 kHz (kilohertz) to 30 MHz (megahertz), particularly 5 MHz (megahertz) to 15 MHz (megahertz), and preferably 5 MHz (megahertz) to 10 MHz (megahertz).

[0020] Depending on the material used and the frequency of the alternating magnetic field, the plurality of first filaments may have a diameter of at least 0.015 millimeters, at least 0.02 millimeters, at least 0.025 millimeters, at least 0.05 millimeters, at least 0.075 millimeters, at least 0.1 millimeters, at least 0.125 millimeters, at least 0.15 millimeters, at least 0.2 millimeters, at least 0.3 millimeters, or at least 0.4 millimeters.

[0021] Generally, the plurality of first filaments may have any cross-sectional shape suitable for transporting an aerosol-forming liquid when bundled together. Consequently, at least one of the plurality of first filaments, specifically each of the plurality of first filaments, may have a cross-section that is circular, oval, elliptical, triangular, rectangular, quadrilateral, hexagonal, or polygonal. Preferably, all of the first filaments have the same cross-section. It is also possible for one or more of the plurality of first filaments to have a cross-section that differs from the cross-section of one or more other filaments of the plurality of first filaments. Preferably, the plurality of first filaments have a cross-section that is circular, oval, or elliptical. Advantageously, the latter cross-sectional shape ensures that the filaments within the filament bundle only make line contact with each other, not area contact. Line contact creates narrow spaces between the filaments, which facilitates the capillary action required for transporting the aerosol-forming liquid.

[0022] The plurality of first filaments may be surface-treated. Specifically, the plurality of first filaments may at least partially comprise a surface coating, such as an aerosolization-enhancing surface coating, a liquid adhesive surface coating, a liquid-repellent surface coating, or an antibacterial surface coating. The aerosolization-enhancing surface coating may advantageously enhance various user experiences. The liquid adhesive surface coating may be beneficial in terms of enhancing capillary action of the filament bundle. The antibacterial surface coating may function to reduce bacterial contamination. The liquid-repellent coating, particularly on the tips of the filaments, may prevent liquids from dripping.

[0023] Depending on the available space, the dimensions of the filaments, and the amount of aerosol-forming liquid to be delivered and heated, the plurality of first filaments in the filament bundle may comprise 3 to 100 first filaments, specifically 10 to 80 first filaments, preferably 20 to 60 first filaments, more preferably 30 to 50 first filaments, for example 40 first filaments.

[0024] In addition to the plurality of first filaments, the filament bundle may further include a plurality of second filaments comprising a second susceptor material, with the plurality of second filaments being arranged parallel to each other and to the plurality of first filaments along at least the parallel bundle portion of the filament bundle. The first susceptor material of the plurality of first filaments may be optimized for heat loss or heating efficiency, while the second susceptor material may be advantageously used as a temperature marker. To this end, the second susceptor material preferably comprises one of a ferrimagnetic material and a ferromagnetic material. In particular, the second susceptor material may be selected to have a Curie temperature corresponding to a predetermined heating temperature of the susceptor assembly. At that Curie temperature, the magnetic property of the second susceptor material changes from ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic to paramagnetic, accompanied by a temporary change in its electrical resistance. Therefore, by monitoring the corresponding change in current absorbed by the induction source, it is possible to detect when the second susceptor material reaches its Curie temperature, and therefore, when the predetermined heating temperature is reached.

[0025] The first susceptor material is preferably different from the second susceptor material.

[0026] The second susceptor material preferably has a Curie temperature below 500° C. In particular, the second susceptor material may have a Curie temperature below 350° C., preferably below 300° C., more preferably below 250° C., even more preferably below 200° C., and most preferably below 150° C. The Curie temperature is preferably selected to be below the boiling point of the aerosol-forming liquid to be vaporized, to prevent the generation of harmful components in the aerosol.

[0027] Suitable materials for the second susceptor material may include nickel and certain nickel alloys. Similarly, the second susceptor material may include one of mu-metal or permalloy. In particular, the second susceptor material may have a relative maximum magnetic permeability of at least 80 or at least 100, more specifically at least 1000, preferably at least 10,000 for frequencies up to 50 kHz and at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.

[0028] Alternatively, the plurality of second filaments may have the same or similar properties as those described above with respect to the plurality of first filaments.

[0029] Therefore, the plurality of second filaments may be solid material filaments. Further, the plurality of second filaments may be single-grade material filaments. In particular, the plurality of second filaments may be made from a second susceptor material.

[0030] Similarly, the plurality of second filaments may be surface treated. In particular, the plurality of second filaments may include a surface coating, such as an aerosolization-enhanced surface coating, a liquid-adhesive surface coating, a liquid-repellent surface coating, or an antimicrobial surface coating.

[0031] Furthermore, at least one of the plurality of second filaments, specifically each of the plurality of second filaments, may have a cross-section that is circular, oval, elliptical, triangular, rectangular, quadrilateral, hexagonal, or polygonal.

[0032] For the same reasons discussed above with respect to the plurality of first filaments, the plurality of second filaments can have a diameter of at least 0.015 millimeters, at least 0.02 millimeters, at least 0.025 millimeters, at least 0.05 millimeters, at least 0.075 millimeters, at least 0.1 millimeters, at least 0.125 millimeters, at least 0.15 millimeters, at least 0.2 millimeters, at least 0.3 millimeters, or at least 0.4 millimeters. Similarly, the plurality of second filaments can have a diameter of at most 0.025 millimeters, at most 0.05 millimeters, at most 0.1 millimeters, at most 0.15 millimeters, at most 0.2 millimeters, at most 0.25 millimeters, at most 0.3 millimeters, at most 0.35 millimeters, at most 0.4 millimeters, at most 0.45 millimeters, or at most 0.5 millimeters.

[0033] Generally, the first filaments and the second filaments may have the same diameter. As a result, capillary action and shear rate are uniform throughout the filament bundle. Conversely, the first filaments and the second filaments may have different diameters. Using different filament diameters can vary capillary action throughout the filament bundle.

[0034] The plurality of second filaments in the filament bundle may include 1 to 100 second filaments, particularly 10 to 80 second filaments, preferably 20 to 60 second filaments, more preferably 30 to 50 second filaments, for example, 40 second filaments.

[0035] Generally, the number of first filaments may be the same as the number of second filaments. However, the number of first filaments may be different from the number of second filaments. In particular, the number of first filaments may be, for example, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten times greater than the number of second filaments. This is the case when the second filaments are used as temperature makers, where a small number of second filaments is sufficient.

[0036] The total number of filaments in the filament bundle may be in the range of 3 to 100 filaments, particularly 10 to 80 filaments, preferably 20 to 60 filaments, more preferably 30 to 50 filaments, for example 40 filaments.

[0037] The plurality of first filaments and the plurality of second filaments may be substantially evenly distributed throughout the filament bundle. A uniform distribution may support uniform capillary action throughout the filament bundle. Alternatively, the plurality of first filaments and the plurality of second filaments may be unevenly distributed throughout the filament bundle. For example, the plurality of second filaments may be disposed only within a central portion of the filament bundle surrounded by the plurality of first filaments. That is, the plurality of second filaments may form a core portion of the filament bundle, and the plurality of first filaments may form a sleeve portion of the filament bundle surrounding the core portion. This configuration may be advantageous when the transport and heating functions of the filament bundle are primarily provided by the plurality of first filaments, while the plurality of second filaments function only as temperature markers. Conversely, the plurality of first filaments may be disposed only within a central portion of the filament bundle surrounded by the plurality of second filaments. That is, the plurality of first filaments may form a core portion of the filament bundle, and the plurality of second filaments may form a sleeve portion of the filament bundle surrounding the core portion. Similarly, the first filaments may be arranged in a first portion, particularly the first half of the filament bundle, while the second filaments may be arranged in a second portion, particularly the second half of the filament bundle laterally adjacent to the first portion, particularly the first half. Such a configuration is particularly easy to manufacture. Alternatively, the second filaments may be randomly distributed throughout the filament bundle. Furthermore, the second filaments may have lengths different from the lengths of the first filaments. In particular, the second filaments may be shorter than the lengths of the first filaments. Conversely, the second filaments may be longer than the lengths of the first filaments.

[0038] In the parallel bundle section, the average center-to-center distance between adjacent first filaments and, if present, second filaments is at most 0.025 mm, at most 0.05 mm, at most 0.1 mm, at most 0.15 mm, at most 0.2 mm, at most 0.25 mm, at most 0.3 mm, at most 0.35 mm, at most 0.4 mm, at most 0.45 mm, or at most 0.5 mm. These values ​​of center-to-center distance are particularly suitable for ensuring sufficient capillary action.

[0039] As described above, one section of the filament bundle may be configured to be immersed in a liquid reservoir. This section may be referred to as the immersion section and may be located at one end of the filament bundle. From there, the aerosol-forming liquid is transported to another section of the filament bundle located outside the reservoir, particularly at the other end of the filament bundle. Here, the transported liquid may be exposed to an air path where it is vaporized by induction heating and drawn off as an aerosol. This section may therefore be referred to as the heating section. During use, the heating section is heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the aerosol-forming liquid, while the immersion section preferably remains at a temperature significantly below the vaporization temperature to avoid boiling of the aerosol-forming liquid in the liquid reservoir. Thus, during use, the filament bundle has a temperature profile along its length having hotter and colder sections. In particular, the filament bundle may include a temperature profile that exhibits a temperature increase from the immersion section to the heating section, particularly from a temperature below the vaporization temperature to a temperature above the respective vaporization temperature.

[0040] As used herein, the term "heating section" refers to a section of a susceptor assembly configured to be exposed to an alternating magnetic field to inductively heat an aerosol-forming liquid to vaporize it. Similarly, the term "immersion section" refers to a section of a susceptor assembly configured to be immersed in a liquid reservoir.

[0041] The temperature profile actually produced using the susceptor assembly depends, among other things, on the thermal conductivity and length of the filament bundle. A sufficient temperature gradient between the immersed section and the heated section of the filament bundle requires a specific distance between the immersed section and the heated section. Therefore, a specific total length of the filament bundle is required to keep the temperature of the immersed section below the vaporization temperature.

[0042] Therefore, the total length of the filament bundle may be in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm, particularly 10 mm to 40 mm, preferably 10 mm to 30 mm, and more preferably 10 mm to 20 mm.

[0043] The filament bundle may further comprise a fanned portion at at least one end of the filament bundle, within which the plurality of first filaments and, if present, the plurality of second filaments diverge from one another. Such a fanned portion may prove beneficial in facilitating exposure of the vaporized aerosol-forming liquid to the air path and thus facilitating the formation of an aerosol. It is possible that the filament bundle may include two fanned portions, one at each end of the filament bundle.

[0044] At least one end of the filament bundle may further include a tapered portion, in which the length of the filaments gradually decreases from the center of the bundle to the outer portion. The tapered portion may have a shape similar to a sharp pencil. The tapered portion may be achieved, for example, by cutting the filaments at an angle at at least one end of the filament bundle. The tip shape of the tapered portion may be useful in conveying the vaporized aerosol-forming liquid. Furthermore, the tapered portion may positively contribute to the conveyance of the liquid by aligning the airflow outside the tapered portion with the tip shape, thereby creating a pressure drop according to the Bernoulli principle.

[0045] Preferably, the heated section of the filament bundle is located at least partially within the fan-out portion, and in particular at least partially overlaps the fan-out portion.

[0046] The fan-out portion may have a length that is at least 5 percent, 10 percent, 20 percent, or 30 percent of the total length of the filament bundle. Conversely, the fan-out portion may have a length that is at most 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, or 50 percent of the total length of the filament bundle.

[0047] Similarly, the parallel-bundle portion may have a length of at least 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 percent of the total length of the filament bundle. Conversely, the parallel-bundle portion may have a length of at most 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 percent of the total length of the filament bundle. In the latter case, if the parallel-bundle portion has a length of 100 percent of the total length of the filament bundle, the parallel-bundle portion extends entirely along the filament bundle. Thus, in this configuration, the filament bundle does not include a fan-out portion.

[0048] Preferably, the immersed section of the filament bundle is at least partially located in the parallel bundle portion, in particular at least partially overlapping the parallel bundle portion.

[0049] The parallel-bundle portion may be at least partially located at one end of the filament bundle. In this configuration, the parallel-bundle portion may be utilized to achieve a immersion section at one end of the filament bundle.

[0050] Alternatively, the parallel-bundle portion may be located between two ends of the filament bundle, e.g., between two fan-shaped portions. In particular, the parallel-bundle portion may be located symmetrically between two ends of the filament bundle, e.g., between two fan-shaped portions. In this configuration, the filament bundle may have two fan-shaped portions, one at each end of the filament bundle. In particular, this configuration may be utilized to realize either two heating sections or two immersion sections, with each end of the filament bundle. Alternatively, in this configuration, one end may realize an immersion section and the other end may realize a heating section. The parallel-bundle portion may be located symmetrically between either of these sections.

[0051] To maintain the filaments together in a parallel configuration, at least some of the parallel-bundle portions may be bound together by a ferrule, bushing, or harness. The ferrule, bushing, or harness may include a sheath member. For example, the bushing may be a separation wall separating the liquid reservoir from the vaporization zone. Similarly, at least some of the parallel-bundle portions may be bound together by a gasket or O-ring. The filaments may be held together by crimping or overmolding, i.e., by a crimping member or overmolding member. The filaments may also be held together by welding them together at one end of the filament bundle, preferably the end of the immersion section. In this configuration, capillary action still occurs along the unwelded portion of the filament bundle.

[0052] Generally, the filament bundle may be a linear filament bundle, i.e., a substantially straight, non-curved or non-bending filament bundle. This configuration does not preclude slight bending of the filament bundle, i.e., a large radius of curvature along the length extension of the filament bundle. When used, a large radius of curvature may include a radius of curvature that is 10 times, particularly 20 times or 50 times, or particularly 100 times greater than the total length of the filament bundle.

[0053] Alternatively, the filament bundle may be a curved filament bundle, i.e., the filament bundle may be curved along its length extension. In this configuration, the filament bundle may have a radius of curvature ranging from 0.5 / Pi to 10 times, particularly 1 / Pi to 5 times, or 2 / Pi, and 2 times the total length of the filament bundle, where π is Archimedes' constant, i.e., the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle.

[0054] In general, a filament bundle may have any cross-sectional shape as viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the length extension of the filament bundle. In particular, the filament bundle may have a circular, elliptical, triangular, rectangular, square, hexagonal, or polygonal cross section, at least along the parallel bundle portion. In particular, a circular cross section is easy to achieve. The cross-sectional shape, at least along the parallel bundle portion, can be easily achieved by corresponding openings in the ferrules, bushings, or harnesses used to bundle the filaments.

[0055] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an induction heating assembly for delivering and inductively heating an aerosol-forming liquid, the heating assembly comprising at least one liquid-delivery susceptor assembly according to the present invention and as described herein, the heating assembly further comprising at least one induction source constructed and arranged to generate an alternating magnetic field in a heating section of the at least one liquid-delivery susceptor assembly, particularly in a heating section of a filament bundle.

[0056] To generate the alternating magnetic field, the induction source may comprise at least one inductor, preferably at least one induction coil, preferably arranged around at least the heating section of the liquid transport susceptor assembly, in particular around at least the heating section of the filament bundle.

[0057] The at least one induction coil may be a helical coil or a flat, planar coil, particularly a pancake coil or a curved, planar coil. The use of a flat spiral coil allows for a compact design that is robust and inexpensive to manufacture. The use of a helical induction coil advantageously allows for the generation of a homogeneous alternating magnetic field. As used herein, "flat spiral coil" generally refers to a planar coil, with the axis of the coil's windings perpendicular to the surface on which the coil lies. A flat spiral induction coil can have any desired shape within the plane of the coil. For example, a flat spiral coil may have a circular shape or a generally elliptical or rectangular shape. However, the term "flat spiral coil" as used herein encompasses both planar coils and flat spiral coils shaped to conform to curved surfaces. For example, the induction coil may be a "curved" planar coil disposed around a preferably cylindrical coil support (e.g., a ferrite core). Furthermore, the flat spiral coil may comprise, for example, two layers of a four-turn flat spiral coil or a single layer of a four-turn flat spiral coil.

[0058] The at least one induction coil may be carried within the housing of the heating assembly or within one of the main body or housing of the aerosol generating device that includes the heating assembly.

[0059] As further described above with respect to the susceptor assembly, the heating section of the liquid delivery susceptor assembly, particularly the heating section of the filament bundle, can be located at one end of the filament bundle. This configuration can advantageously prevent boiling of the aerosol-forming liquid when the filament bundle includes an immersion section at the opposite end thereof.

[0060] The length of the heating section may be selected to generate a desired amount of aerosol. The shorter the heating section, the less aerosol-forming liquid is vaporized and therefore the less aerosol is generated. Thus, the heating section of the filament bundle may have a length of at least 5 percent, 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent, or 80 percent of the total length of the filament bundle. Similarly, the heating section of the filament bundle may have a length of at most 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent, 80 percent, 90 percent, or 100 percent of the total length of the filament bundle.

[0061] The filament bundle may be positioned off-center with respect to the axis of symmetry of the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction source when the heating assembly is in use. Advantageously, the off-center, or asymmetric, positioning places the filament bundle in a region of the alternating magnetic field having a higher field density compared to a symmetric central positioning. As a result, heating efficiency is advantageously increased.

[0062] The induction source may comprise an alternating current (AC) generator. The AC generator may be powered by a power supply of the aerosol generating device. The AC generator is operably coupled to at least one induction coil. In particular, the at least one induction coil may be an integral part of the AC generator. The AC generator is configured to generate a high frequency oscillating current that passes through the at least one induction coil to generate an alternating magnetic field. The AC current may be supplied to the at least one induction coil continuously after activation of the system, or may be supplied intermittently, for example, for each puff.

[0063] Preferably, the inductive source comprises a DC / AC converter connected to a DC power supply including an LC network, the LC network comprising a series connection of a capacitor and an inductor.

[0064] The induction source is preferably configured to generate a radio frequency magnetic field, which as referred to herein may be in the range of 500 kHz (kilohertz) to 30 MHz (megahertz), particularly 5 MHz (megahertz) to 15 MHz (megahertz), preferably 5 MHz (megahertz) to 10 MHz (megahertz).

[0065] The heating assembly may further include a controller configured to control operation of the heating assembly. Specifically, the controller may be configured to control operation of the induction source, preferably in a closed-loop configuration, to control heating of the aerosol-forming liquid to a predetermined operating temperature. The operating temperature used to heat the aerosol-forming liquid may be in the range of 100°C to 300°C, particularly 150°C to 250°C, e.g., 230°C. These temperatures are typical operating temperatures for heating but not burning the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0066] The controller may comprise a microprocessor, such as a programmable microprocessor, microcontroller, or application specific integrated circuit chip (ASIC) or other electronic circuit capable of providing control. The controller may comprise further electronic components, such as at least one DC / AC inverter and / or a power amplifier (e.g., a class C power amplifier, or a class D power amplifier, or a class E power amplifier). In particular, the inductive source may be part of the controller.

[0067] The controller may be the overall controller of the aerosol generating device of which the heating assembly according to the present invention is a part, or may be technology thereof.

[0068] The heating assembly may include a power source, particularly a DC power source configured to provide a DC supply voltage and a DC supply current to the induction source. The power source is preferably a battery, such as a lithium iron phosphate battery. Alternatively, the power source may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power source may require recharging, i.e., the power source may be rechargeable. The power source may have a capacity that allows for storage of energy sufficient for one or more user experiences. For example, the power source may have a capacity sufficient to allow continuous generation of aerosol for approximately six minutes, or a multiple of six minutes. In another embodiment, the power source may have a capacity sufficient to allow for a predetermined number of puffs, or discontinuous activation of the induction source. The power source may be the overall power source of the aerosol generating device of which the heating assembly according to the present invention is a part.

[0069] The heating assembly may further comprise a flux concentrator disposed around at least a portion of the induction coil and configured to, in use of the heating assembly, distort the alternating magnetic field of the at least one induction source towards the filament bundle, particularly towards the heated section of the filament bundle. The flux concentrator preferably comprises a magnetic flux concentrator foil, particularly a multi-layer magnetic flux concentrator foil.

[0070] Further features and advantages of the heating assembly according to the invention have already been described with respect to the susceptor assembly of the invention and therefore apply equally.

[0071] The present invention also provides an aerosol-generating article for use with an induction-heated aerosol-generating device. The article includes at least a first liquid reservoir for storing a first aerosol-forming liquid, the first liquid reservoir including an outlet. The article further includes at least a first liquid-transfer susceptor assembly according to the present invention and as described herein. The first liquid-transfer susceptor assembly includes a first filament bundle for delivering the first aerosol-forming liquid from the first liquid reservoir through the outlet to a region outside the first liquid reservoir.

[0072] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to a consumable product for use with an inductively heated aerosol generating device, particularly a consumable product that is disposed of after a single use. For example, the article may be a cartridge that is inserted into an inductively heated aerosol generating device. The aerosol-generating article is intended to be heated rather than combusted, and preferably includes at least a first aerosol-forming liquid that, when heated, releases a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol.

[0073] Preferably, the first filament bundle includes at least one immersed section disposed within the first liquid reservoir.

[0074] The length of the immersed section may be advantageously used to control the amount of aerosol-forming liquid immersed and delivered from the liquid reservoir. Accordingly, the at least one immersed section of the first filament bundle may have a length of at most 10 percent, at most 20 percent, at most 30 percent, at most 40 percent, at most 50 percent, or at most 60 percent of the total length of the first bundle. Conversely, the at least one immersed section of the first filament bundle may have a length of at least 10 percent, at least 20 percent, at least 30 percent, at least 40 percent, at least 50 percent, or at least 60 percent of the total length of the first filament bundle. Specifically, the at least one immersed section of the first filament bundle may have a length of at least 10 percent, at least 20 percent, at least 30 percent, at least 40 percent, at least 50 percent, or at least 60 percent of the total length of the first filament bundle.

[0075] As further described above with respect to the susceptor assembly, the immersion section of the first filament bundle can be located at one end of the first filament bundle. In this configuration, the first filament bundle can include a heating section at an opposite end of the first filament bundle.

[0076] Similarly, the immersed section of the first filament bundle may be located between two ends of the first filament bundle. In this configuration, both ends of the filament bundle may be used as heating sections. For example, the first filament bundle may be curved, particularly in a U-shape, V-shape, or C-shape, with the immersed section at least partially forming the base of the U-shape, V-shape, or C-shape filament bundle.

[0077] The first filament bundle may also include two immersion sections, each disposed within the first liquid reservoir. Preferably, the two immersion sections may be disposed at the ends of the first filament bundle, one at each end. In this configuration, the first filament bundle may also be curved, particularly in a U-, V-, or C-shape, with each of the two immersions at least partially forming an arm of the U-, V-, or C-shaped first filament bundle.

[0078] The aerosol-generating article may further comprise at least a second liquid reservoir for storing a second aerosol-forming liquid, the second liquid reservoir comprising an outlet. Additionally, the aerosol-generating article may include at least a second liquid-delivery susceptor assembly according to the present invention and as described herein, the second liquid-delivery susceptor assembly comprising a second filament bundle for delivering the second aerosol-forming liquid from the second liquid reservoir through the outlet to an area outside the second liquid reservoir. Having multiple liquid reservoirs may be used to increase the variety of user experiences with respect to at least one of flavor, experience duration, and aerosol composition.

[0079] As described above with respect to the second filament bundle, the second filament bundle may also include at least one immersed section disposed in the second liquid reservoir. Furthermore, the at least one immersed section of the second filament bundle may have a length of at most 10 percent, at most 20 percent, at most 30 percent, at most 40 percent, at most 50 percent, or at most 60 percent of the total length of the second filament bundle. Conversely, the at least one immersed section of the second filament bundle may have a length of at least 10 percent, at least 20 percent, at least 30 percent, at least 40 percent, at least 50 percent, or at least 60 percent of the total length of the second filament bundle. Specifically, the at least one immersed section of the second filament bundle may have a length of at least 10 percent, at least 20 percent, at least 30 percent, at least 40 percent, at least 50 percent, or at least 60 percent of the total length of the second filament bundle.

[0080] As further described above with respect to the first filament bundle, the immersion section of the second filament bundle can be located at one end of the second filament bundle, and in this configuration, the second filament bundle can include a heating section at an opposite end to the first filament bundle.

[0081] Similarly, the immersed section of the second filament bundle may be located between two ends of the second filament bundle, and thus the second filament bundle may be curved, in particular in a U-shape, a V-shape, or a C-shape, with the immersed section at least partially forming the base of the U-shape, V-shape, or C-shape filament bundle.

[0082] The second filament bundle may also have two immersion sections, each disposed within the second liquid reservoir. Preferably, the two immersion sections may be disposed at the ends of the second filament bundle, one at each end. In this configuration, the second filament bundle may also be curved, particularly in a U-, V-, or C-shape, with each of the two immersions at least partially forming an arm of the U-, V-, or C-shaped second filament bundle.

[0083] The aerosol-generating article may be a single-use aerosol-generating article or a multi-use aerosol-generating article. In the latter case, the aerosol-generating article may be refillable. That is, the first reservoir and, if present, the second reservoir may be refillable with the first and second aerosol-forming liquids, respectively. In any configuration, the aerosol-generating article may further comprise a first aerosol-forming liquid contained within the first liquid reservoir. Similarly, the aerosol-generating article may further comprise a second aerosol-forming liquid contained in the second liquid reservoir.

[0084] To enhance the versatility of the user's experience, the first aerosol-forming liquid may be different from the second aerosol-forming liquid. For example, the first aerosol-forming liquid may be an aqueous aerosol-forming liquid, and the second aerosol-forming liquid may be an oil-based aerosol-forming liquid. It is also possible for the first aerosol-forming liquid and the second aerosol-forming liquid to be the same. In this configuration, the first aerosol-forming liquid and the second aerosol-forming liquid may be vaporized sequentially to enhance the user's experience with a single aerosol-generating article.

[0085] The term "aerosol-forming liquid" as used herein refers to a liquid capable of releasing volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol upon heating the aerosol-forming liquid. The aerosol-forming liquid may include both solid and liquid aerosol-forming materials or components. The aerosol-forming liquid may include a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the liquid upon heating. Alternatively, or additionally, the aerosol-forming liquid may include a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming liquid may further include an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol. The aerosol-forming liquid may also include other additives and ingredients (such as nicotine or flavoring agents). In particular, the aerosol-forming liquid may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, and natural or artificial flavors. The aerosol-forming liquid may be an aqueous aerosol-forming liquid or an oil-based aerosol-forming liquid.

[0086] Additionally, the article may include a mouthpiece. As used herein, the term "mouthpiece" refers to the portion of the article that is placed in the user's mouth to directly inhale the aerosol from the article. The mouthpiece preferably includes a filter. The filter may be used to filter out undesirable components of the aerosol. The filter may also include additional materials, such as flavoring materials, that are added to the aerosol.

[0087] The article may have a simple design. The article may have a housing containing a first liquid reservoir and, if present, a second liquid reservoir. The housing is preferably a rigid housing made of a material impermeable to liquids. As used herein, "rigid housing" means a self-supporting housing. The housing may comprise or be made from one of PEEK (polyether ether ketone), PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), or PET (polyethylene terephthalate). PP, PE, and PET are particularly cost-effective and easy to mold, especially extrusion. The aerosol-forming substrate is a substrate capable of emitting a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. The housing may also include a flexible or collapsible section. The housing may further include at least one breathing hole for volume compensation.

[0088] Further features and advantages of the aerosol-generating article according to the invention have already been described with respect to the susceptor assembly of the invention and therefore apply equally.

[0089] The present invention also provides an aerosol generation system comprising an inductively heated aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating article for use with the aerosol generator, and an induction heating assembly as described herein. The induction source of the heating assembly may be part of the inductively heated aerosol generator, and the liquid transport susceptor assembly of the heating assembly may be part of the aerosol-generating article. That is, an aerosol generation system including an inductively heated aerosol generator and an aerosol-generating article for use with the aerosol generator is also provided, wherein the article comprises at least one liquid transport susceptor assembly according to the present invention and as described herein, and the apparatus comprises at least one induction source configured and arranged to generate an alternating magnetic field in the heating section of the at least one liquid transport susceptor assembly of the article, particularly in the heating section of the filament bundle when the article is in use in the apparatus. In particular, the at least one induction source may be an induction source as described above with respect to the induction source of the inductive heating assembly according to the present invention. The at least one induction source of the aerosol-generating device and the at least one liquid transfer susceptor assembly of the aerosol-generating article may together form an induction heating assembly according to the present invention and as described herein. If present, the controller of the heating assembly may be part of the aerosol-generating device, and in particular may be disposed within the aerosol-generating device. Preferably, the controller of the aerosol-generating device includes or may be the controller of the heating assembly. In particular, the aerosol-generating device may comprise the controller described above with respect to the induction source of the induction heating assembly according to the present invention.

[0090] Similarly, if present, the power supply for the heating assembly may be part of the aerosol generation device, and in particular may be disposed within the aerosol generation device. Preferably, the power supply for the aerosol generation device includes or may be the power supply for the heating assembly. In particular, the aerosol generation device may comprise a power supply as described above with respect to the induction source of the induction heating assembly according to the present invention.

[0091] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" is used to describe an electrically operated device capable of interacting with at least one aerosol-generating article, including at least one aerosol-forming liquid, to generate an aerosol by inductively heating a susceptor assembly, and thus the aerosol-forming liquid within the article. The aerosol-generating device is preferably a smoking device for generating an aerosol that can be directly inhaled by a user through the user's mouth. In particular, the aerosol-generating device is a handheld aerosol-generating device.

[0092] The aerosol generating device may comprise a receiving cavity for removably receiving at least a portion of the aerosol generating article.

[0093] The induction coil of the induction source may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the receiving cavity when the aerosol-generating article is received in the receiving cavity, particularly to surround at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article, particularly the heated section of the filament bundle.

[0094] Besides the particular configuration of the susceptor assembly of the heating assembly, the aerosol-generating article of the aerosol-generating system may be any aerosol-generating article according to the present invention as described above.

[0095] Further features and advantages of the aerosol-generating system according to the present invention have been described above with respect to the susceptor assembly, aerosol-generating article, and heating assembly according to the present invention and therefore apply equally.

[0096] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, the following non-limiting examples are provided in a non-exhaustive manner. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of any other example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0097] Example 1: A liquid transport susceptor assembly for transporting and inductively heating an aerosol-forming liquid under the influence of an alternating magnetic field, the liquid transport susceptor assembly including a filament bundle, the filament bundle including at least a plurality of first filaments including a first susceptor material, the plurality of first filaments being arranged parallel to one another along at least a parallel bundle portion of the filament bundle. Example 2: The susceptor assembly of Example 1, wherein the filament bundles are unstranded filament bundles. Example 3: 3. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of first filaments are solid material filaments. Example 4: The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1-3, wherein the plurality of first filaments are filaments of a single grade of material. Example 5: 5. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1-4, wherein the plurality of first filaments are made from a first susceptor material. Example 6: A susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the first susceptor material includes or is made from one of a ferrimagnetic material, a ferromagnetic material, a conductive material, or a conductive ferrimagnetic material or a conductive ferromagnetic material. Example 7: 7. A susceptor assembly according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the first susceptor material comprises or is made from one of ferrite, aluminum, iron, nickel, copper, bronze, cobalt, a nickel alloy, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, ferromagnetic stainless steel, martensitic stainless steel, or austenitic stainless steel. Example 8: A susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of first filaments have a diameter of at least 0.015 millimeters, at least 0.02 millimeters, at least 0.025 millimeters, at least 0.05 millimeters, at least 0.075 millimeters, at least 0.1 millimeters, at least 0.125 millimeters, at least 0.15 millimeters, at least 0.2 millimeters, at least 0.3 millimeters, or at least 0.4 millimeters. Example 9: A susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of first filaments have a diameter of at most 0.025 millimeters, at most 0.05 millimeters, at most 0.1 millimeters, at most 0.15 millimeters, at most 0.2 millimeters, at most 0.25 millimeters, at most 0.3 millimeters, at most 0.35 millimeters, at most 0.4 millimeters, at most 0.45 millimeters, or at most 0.5 millimeters. Example 10: A susceptor assembly according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein at least one, particularly each, of the plurality of first filaments has a circular, elliptical, oval, triangular, rectangular, cuboid, hexagonal, or polygonal cross-section. Example 11: The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of first filaments are surface treated, in particular, to include a surface coating, such as an aerosolization-enhanced surface coating, a liquid-adhesive surface coating, a liquid-repellent surface coating, or an antibacterial surface coating. Example 12: 12. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of first filaments in the filament bundle comprises 3 to 100 first filaments, particularly 10 to 80 first filaments, preferably 20 to 60 first filaments, more preferably 30 to 50 first filaments, for example, 40 first filaments. Example 13: A susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the filament bundle further comprises a plurality of second filaments comprising a second susceptor material, and along at least the parallel bundle portion of the filament bundle, the plurality of second filaments are arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the plurality of first filaments. Example 14: 14. The susceptor assembly of example embodiment 13, wherein the second susceptor material comprises one of a ferrimagnetic material or a ferromagnetic material. Example 15: A susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 13 or 14, wherein the second susceptor material has a Curie temperature below 500 degrees Celsius, particularly below 350 degrees Celsius, preferably below 300 degrees Celsius, more preferably below 250 degrees Celsius, even more preferably below 200 degrees Celsius, and most preferably below 150 degrees Celsius. Example 16: 16. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 13-15, wherein the second susceptor material comprises one of nickel, a nickel alloy, mu-metal, or permalloy. Example 17: 17. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 13-16, wherein the plurality of second filaments are solid material filaments. Example 18: 18. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 13-17, wherein the plurality of second filaments are filaments of a single grade of material. Example 19: 19. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 13-18, wherein the plurality of second filaments are made from a second susceptor material. Example 20: A susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 13 to 19, wherein the plurality of second filaments are surface treated, in particular comprising a surface coating, for example, an aerosolization-enhanced surface coating, a liquid-adhesive surface coating, a liquid-repellent surface coating, or an antibacterial surface coating. Example 21: A susceptor assembly according to any one of Examples 13 to 20, wherein at least one, particularly each, of the plurality of second filaments has a circular, elliptical, oval, triangular, rectangular, square, hexagonal or polygonal cross section. Example 22: A susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 13 to 21, wherein the plurality of second filaments have a diameter of at least 0.015 millimeters, at least 0.02 millimeters, at least 0.025 millimeters, at least 0.05 millimeters, at least 0.075 millimeters, at least 0.1 millimeters, at least 0.125 millimeters, at least 0.15 millimeters, at least 0.2 millimeters, at least 0.3 millimeters, or at least 0.4 millimeters. Example 23: A susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 13 to 22, wherein the plurality of second filaments have a diameter of at most 0.025 millimeters, at most 0.05 millimeters, at most 0.1 millimeters, at most 0.15 millimeters, at most 0.2 millimeters, at most 0.25 millimeters, at most 0.3 millimeters, at most 0.35 millimeters, at most 0.4 millimeters, at most 0.45 millimeters, or at most 0.5 millimeters. Example 24: 24. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 13-23, wherein the plurality of first filaments and the plurality of second filaments have the same diameter. Example 25: 24. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 13-23, wherein the plurality of first filaments and the plurality of second filaments have different diameters. Example 26: The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 13 to 25, wherein the plurality of second filaments in the filament bundle is 1 to 100 second filaments, particularly 10 to 80 second filaments, preferably 20 to 60 second filaments, more preferably 30 to 50 second filaments, for example 40 second filaments. Example 27: 27. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 13-26, wherein the plurality of first filaments and the plurality of second filaments are substantially equally distributed throughout the filament bundle. Example 28: 27. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 13-26, wherein the plurality of first filaments and the plurality of second filaments are unevenly distributed throughout the filament bundle. Example 29: 29. A susceptor assembly according to any one of Examples 1 to 28, wherein in the parallel bundle portion, the average center-to-center distance between adjacent first filaments and, if present, second filaments is at most 0.025 millimeters, at most 0.05 millimeters, at most 0.1 millimeters, at most 0.15 millimeters, at most 0.2 millimeters, at most 0.25 millimeters, at most 0.3 millimeters, at most 0.35 millimeters, at most 0.4 millimeters, at most 0.45 millimeters, or at most 0.5 millimeters. Example 30: A susceptor assembly according to any one of Examples 1 to 29, wherein the total length of the filament bundle is in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm, particularly 10 mm to 40 mm, preferably 10 mm to 30 mm, and more preferably 10 mm to 20 mm. Example 31: A susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 1 to 30, wherein the filament bundle includes a fanned portion at at least one end of the filament bundle where the plurality of first filaments and, if present, the plurality of second filaments diverge from one another. Example 32: 32. The susceptor assembly of Example 31, wherein the fanned portion has a length that is at least 5 percent, 10 percent, 20 percent, or 30 percent of the total length of the filament bundle. Example 33: The susceptor assembly of Example 31 or Example 32, wherein the fanned portion has a length that is up to 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, or 50 percent of the total length of the filament bundle. Example 34: A susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 1 to 33, wherein the parallel bundle portion has a length of at least 5 percent, 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent, or 80 percent of the total length of the filament bundle. Example 35: A susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 1 to 34, wherein the parallel bundle portion has a length of up to 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent, 80 percent, 90 percent or 100 percent of the total length of the filament bundle. Example 36: 36. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1-35, wherein the parallel bundle portion is located at one end of the filament bundle. Example 37: 37. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 36, wherein the parallel bundle portion is specifically positioned symmetrically between two ends of the filament bundle. Example 38: The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 37, wherein at least some of the parallel bundle portions are bundled by a ferrule, a bushing, or a harness. Example 39: 39. The susceptor assembly of embodiment 38, wherein the ferrule, bushing, or harness comprises a sheath. Example 40: 40. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1-39, wherein the filament bundle is a linear (non-curved, non-bent) filament bundle. Example 41: 41. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1-40, wherein the filament bundle has a circular, elliptical, oval, triangular, rectangular, square, hexagonal, or polygonal cross-section along at least a parallel bundle portion. Example 42: 42. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1-41, wherein the length of the plurality of second filaments is different from the length of the plurality of first filaments. Example 43: 43. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1-42, wherein the length of the plurality of second filaments is less than the length of the plurality of first filaments. Example 44: 43. The susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1-42, wherein the length of the plurality of second filaments is greater than the length of the plurality of first filaments. Example 45: 1. An induction heating assembly for conveying and inductively heating an aerosol-forming liquid, the heating assembly comprising: - at least one liquid transport susceptor assembly according to any one of Examples 1 to 44; - at least one induction source constructed and arranged to generate an alternating magnetic field in a heating section of at least one liquid transport susceptor assembly, in particular in a heating section of the filament bundle. Example 46: 46. ​​The heating assembly of embodiment 45, wherein the induction source includes an induction coil disposed around at least the heating section of the liquid transport susceptor assembly, particularly around at least the heating section of the filament bundle. Example 47: 47. The heating assembly of any one of Examples 45 or 46, wherein the heating section of the liquid transport susceptor assembly, particularly the heating section of the filament bundle, is located at one end of the filament bundle. Example 48: 48. A heating assembly according to any one of Examples 45-47, wherein the heated section of the filament bundle has a length of at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80% of the total length of the filament bundle. Example 49: 49. A heating assembly according to any one of Examples 45-48, wherein the heated section of the filament bundle has a length that is at most 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent, 80 percent, 90 percent, or 100 percent of the total length of the filament bundle. Example 50: 50. The heating assembly of any one of Examples 45-49, wherein the filament bundle is positioned off-center with respect to the axis of symmetry of the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction source upon use of the heating assembly. Example 51: A heating assembly described in any one of Examples 45 to 50, further comprising a flux concentrator arranged around at least a portion of the induction coil and configured to distort the alternating magnetic field of at least one induction source toward the filament bundle, particularly toward the heated section of the filament bundle, when the heating assembly is in use. Example 52: 52. The heating assembly of embodiment 51, wherein the flux concentrator comprises a flux concentrator foil, particularly a multi-layer flux concentrator foil. Example 53: 1. An aerosol-generating article for use in an induction-heated aerosol generating apparatus, the article comprising: - at least a first liquid reservoir for storing a first aerosol-forming liquid, the first liquid reservoir including an outlet; and at least a first liquid-transporting susceptor assembly according to any one of Examples 1 to 44, comprising a first filament bundle for delivering a first aerosol-forming liquid from the first liquid reservoir through an outlet to a region outside the first liquid reservoir. Example 54: 54. The aerosol-generating article of Example 53, wherein the first filament bundle includes at least one immersed section disposed within the first liquid reservoir. Example 55: An aerosol-generating article as described in Example 54, wherein at least one immersed section of the first filament bundle has a length that is at most 10 percent, at most 20 percent, at most 30 percent, at most 40 percent, at most 50 percent, or at most 60 percent of the total length of the second filament bundle. Example 56: 55. The aerosol-generating article of Example 54, wherein at least one immersed section of the first filament bundle can have a length of at least 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, or 60 percent of the total length of the first filament bundle. Example 57: 57. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 54-56, wherein the immersed section of the first filament bundle is located at one end of the first filament bundle. Example 58: 57. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 54-56, wherein the immersed section of the first filament bundle is located between two ends of the first filament bundle. Example 59: An aerosol-generating article described in any one of Examples 53 to 58, wherein the first filament bundle includes two immersion sections, each disposed within a first liquid reservoir. Example 60: - at least a second liquid reservoir for storing a second aerosol-forming liquid, the second liquid reservoir including an outlet; - at least a second liquid transport susceptor assembly of any one of Examples 1 to 44, comprising a second filament bundle for delivering a second aerosol-forming liquid from the second liquid reservoir through an outlet to a region outside the second liquid reservoir. Example 61: 61. The aerosol-generating article of Example 60, wherein the second filament bundle comprises at least one immersed section disposed within a second liquid reservoir. Example 62: An aerosol-generating article as described in Example 61, wherein at least one immersed section of the second filament bundle has a length that is at most 10 percent, at most 20 percent, at most 30 percent, at most 40 percent, at most 50 percent, or at most 60 percent of the total length of the second filament bundle. Example 63: An aerosol-generating article as described in Example 61, wherein at least one immersed section of the second filament bundle has a length of at least 10 percent, at least 20 percent, at least 30 percent, at least 40 percent, at least 50 percent, or at least 60 percent of the total length of the second filament bundle. Example 64: 64. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 61-63, wherein the immersed section of the second filament bundle is located at one end of the second filament bundle. Example 65: 64. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 61 to 63, wherein the immersed section of the second filament bundle is located between two ends of the second filament bundle. Example 66: An aerosol-generating article described in any one of Examples 60 to 65, wherein the second filament bundle includes two immersion sections, each disposed within a second liquid reservoir. Example 67: 67. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 60 to 66, further comprising a first aerosol-forming liquid contained in a first liquid reservoir. Example 68: 68. The aerosol-generating article of any one of Examples 60 to 67, further comprising a second aerosol-forming liquid contained in a second liquid reservoir. Example 69: 69. The aerosol-generating article of example 68, wherein the first aerosol-forming liquid is different from the second aerosol-forming liquid. Example 70: An aerosol generation system comprising an induction heating aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating article for use in the aerosol generating device, and the induction heating assembly described in any one of Examples 45-52, wherein the induction source of the heating assembly is part of the induction heating aerosol generator and the liquid-transfer susceptor assembly of the heating assembly is part of the aerosol-generating article. Example 71: An aerosol generating system comprising an induction heating aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article for use in the aerosol generating device, wherein the article comprises at least one liquid transport susceptor assembly described in any one of Examples 1 to 45, and the device comprises at least one induction source constructed and arranged to generate an alternating magnetic field in a heating section of the at least one liquid transport susceptor assembly of the article, particularly in a heating section of a filament bundle when the article is in use with the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0098] The embodiments will now be further described with reference to the following figures:

[0099] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an induction heating assembly comprising a susceptor assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a susceptor assembly of the heating assembly according to FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a susceptor assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a susceptor assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows schematically a first exemplary embodiment of an aerosol-generating article according to the invention comprising a susceptor assembly according to FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows schematically a second exemplary embodiment of an aerosol-generating article according to the invention, comprising two susceptor assemblies according to FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an aerosol-generating system according to the present invention, comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0100] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an induction heating assembly 20 including a liquid-transport susceptor assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Generally, the susceptor assembly 10 comprises a filament bundle 18 capable of performing the dual functions of transporting and heating an aerosol-forming liquid. To this end, the filament bundle 18 comprises a plurality of first filaments 11 and a plurality of second filaments 12, with the first filaments 11 comprising a first susceptor material and the second filaments 12 comprising a second susceptor material. Due to the susceptible nature of the filament materials, the first filaments 11 and the second filaments 12 are capable of being inductively heated in an alternating magnetic field and therefore capable of heating an aerosol-forming liquid in thermal contact with the filaments. Furthermore, due to the arrangement of the first and second filaments 11, 12 in the filament bundle 18 and the small diameters of the filaments 11, 12, narrow channels are formed between the filaments 11, 12, providing capillary action along the longitudinal direction X of the filament bundle 18. Thus, as an example, if one end 13 of the filament bundle 18 is immersed in an aerosol-forming liquid, the liquid may be transported to the opposite end 14 of the filament bundle 18, where it may be exposed to an air path where it is vaporized and drawn off as an aerosol.

[0101] To vaporize the liquid, the heating assembly 20 further includes an induction source 30 including an induction coil 32. In this embodiment, the induction coil 32 is a two-layer helical coil, with each layer having six windings, which is capable of generating a substantially homogeneous alternating magnetic field. As seen in FIG. 1 , the induction coil 32 is positioned around the end 14 of the filament bundle 18 to generate an alternating magnetic field that penetrates only the end 14 of the filament bundle 18 locally. As a result, the filament bundle 18 is locally heated at a heated section 17 at the end 14. The electric field strength is selected so that the heated section 17 is heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the aerosol-forming liquid transported through the filament bundle 18. In contrast, due to the only localized heating, the remaining sections of the filament bundle 18, particularly the end 13, remain below the vaporization temperature. Thus, in use of the heating assembly 20, the susceptor assembly 10 includes a temperature profile along its length X, with higher and lower temperature sections, as shown in the lower portion of FIG. 1 . More specifically, the temperature profile shows a temperature increase from below the vaporization temperature T_vap of the aerosol-forming liquid to above the respective vaporization temperature T_vap from end 13 to heated section 17 at opposite end 14. Advantageously, having the remaining section below the vaporization temperature T_vap prevents boiling of the aerosol-forming liquid in that portion of filament bundle 18. Still further, if remaining section 16, or at least a portion thereof, is used as immersion section 16 to be immersed into a liquid reservoir, boiling of the aerosol-forming liquid in the reservoir is also prevented.

[0102] The actual temperature profile formed during use of susceptor assembly 10 depends on the thermal conductivity and the length of filament bundle 18. Therefore, to have a sufficient temperature gradient between ends 13 and 14, bundle 18 requires a certain overall length. For this embodiment, the overall length of filament bundle 18 may be in the range of 5 to 50 millimeters, particularly 10 to 40 millimeters, preferably 10 to 30 millimeters, and more preferably 10 to 20 millimeters. This applies to each filament type, i.e., the plurality of first filaments 11 and the plurality of second filaments 12.

[0103] 2 shows a cross section of the susceptor assembly 10 through the filament bundle 18 along line AA in FIG. 1. Both the plurality of first filaments 11 and the plurality of second filaments 12 are solid material filaments having a substantially circular cross section. Because of the circular cross section, the filaments 11, 12 are in line contact with each other rather than area contact, and form capillary spaces between the plurality of filaments 11, 12. Other cross-sectional shapes of the plurality of first filaments 11 and the second filaments 12 are also possible, such as elliptical, oval, triangular, rectangular, quadrilateral, hexagonal, or polygonal cross sections.

[0104] To provide sufficient capillary action, the average center-to-center distance D between adjacent filaments 11, 12 in the filament bundle is at most 0.5 millimeters, in particular at most 0.25 millimeters, preferably at most 0.1 millimeters, at most 0.05 millimeters, and even more preferably at most 0.025 millimeters.

[0105] Capillary action is also promoted by the small radius of curvature and therefore the small diameter of the first filament 11 and the second filament 12. As a result, the first filament 11 and the second filament 12 may have a diameter of at most 0.025 mm, at most 0.05 mm, at most 0.1 mm, at most 0.15 mm, at most 0.2 mm, at most 0.25 mm, at most 0.3 mm, at most 0.35 mm, at most 0.4 mm, at most 0.45 mm, or at most 0.5 mm. However, the diameter of the first filament 11 and the second filament 12 should be greater than twice the skin depth to induce a sufficient amount of eddy currents and therefore generate a sufficient amount of heat energy when the filament bundle 18 is exposed to an alternating magnetic field. As a result, depending on the materials used and the frequency of the alternating magnetic field, the first filament 11 and the second filament 12 may have a diameter of at least 0.015 millimeters, at least 0.02 millimeters, at least 0.025 millimeters, at least 0.05 millimeters, at least 0.075 millimeters, at least 0.1 millimeters, at least 0.125 millimeters, at least 0.15 millimeters, at least 0.2 millimeters, at least 0.3 millimeters, or at least 0.4 millimeters.

[0106] In this embodiment, the first filament 11 and the second filament 12 may include a liquid adhesive surface coating (not shown), which further enhances the capillary action of the filament bundle 18.

[0107] The first susceptor material of the first filaments 11 is optimized for heat generation. For example, the first susceptor material may be ferromagnetic stainless steel, which allows the first filaments 11 to be inductively heated not only by eddy currents but also by hysteresis losses. The Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic first susceptor material is selected to be well above the vaporization temperature, preferably above 300 degrees Celsius. In contrast, as further described above, the second filaments 12 function primarily as temperature markers. To that end, the second susceptor material may preferably be a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material having a Curie temperature around the predefined operating temperature of the susceptor assembly 10. As a result, when the susceptor assembly 10 reaches the Curie temperature of the second susceptor material, the magnetic properties of the second susceptor material change from ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic to paramagnetic, accompanied by a temporary change in its electrical resistance. Therefore, by monitoring the corresponding change in the current absorbed by the induction source 30 used to generate the alternating magnetic field, it is possible to detect when the second susceptor material reaches its Curie temperature, and therefore the predefined operating temperature. Suitable materials for the second susceptor material may be nickel, nickel alloy, mu metal, or permalloy. Only a few second filaments are required to function sufficiently as temperature markers. Consequently, the number of first filaments 11 may be greater than the number of second filaments 12, and may be, in particular, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten times greater. In this embodiment, the filament bundle 18 exemplarily comprises forty first filaments 11 and five second filaments 12.

[0108] As can also be seen in Figure 2, the plurality of second filaments 12 are randomly distributed throughout the filament bundle 18. Advantageously, the random distribution requires very little effort during manufacture of the filament bundle 18. As can further be seen in Figure 2, the filament bundle 18 has a substantially circular cross-section, which is particularly easy to manufacture.

[0109] Referring again to FIG. 1 , the first and second filaments 11, 12 are arranged parallel to one another to form a parallel bundle portion 15 along the entire length of the filament bundle 18. That is, the filament bundle 18 of the susceptor assembly 10 is a non-chain filament bundle in which the first filaments 11 and the second filaments 12 are not stranded or twisted and therefore do not cross each other. The parallel bundle portion 15 is particularly advantageous for providing sufficient capillary action along the entire length of the filament bundle 18. Furthermore, susceptor assemblies with a parallel arrangement of filaments are simple and cost-effective to manufacture. Essentially, the susceptor assembly 10 can be manufactured by bundling a plurality of individual filaments arranged in a substantially parallel order and cutting the filament bundle to the desired length.

[0110] FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a susceptor assembly 110 according to the present invention. In general, the susceptor assembly according to FIG. 3 is similar to the susceptor assembly 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, identical or similar features are designated by the same reference numerals, but incremented by 100. In contrast to the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the susceptor assembly 110 according to FIG. 3 includes a fanned portion 119 at the end 114 of the filament bundle 118, where the first filament 111 and the second filament 112 diverge from each other. As a result, the parallel-bundle portion 115 does not extend along the entire length of the filament bundle 118. In this embodiment, the parallel-bundle portion 150 is located at the opposite end 113 of the filament bundle 118 and extends along approximately one-third of the total length of the filament bundle 118. Thus, the fanned portion extends along approximately two-thirds of the total length of the filament bundle 118. The fanned-out portion can facilitate exposure of the vaporized aerosol-forming liquid to the air path and thus the formation of an aerosol. Similarly, the fanned-out portion can be at least partially used as an immersion section that is immersed in the aerosol-forming liquid. To keep the filaments 111, 112 together in a parallel configuration, at least some of the parallel-bundle portions 115 of the filament bundle 118 are bundled together by a ferrule 190 or harness. In this embodiment, the ferrule is disposed at the end 113.

[0111] FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of a susceptor assembly 210 similar to the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 . Accordingly, identical or similar features are also designated by the same reference numerals, but incremented by 100. In contrast to the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 , the susceptor assembly 210 according to FIG. 4 includes two fan-shaped portions 219, one at each end 213, 214 of the filament bundle 218. Accordingly, the parallel-bundle portion 215 is located between the two fan-shaped portions 219. In this embodiment, the filament bundle 118 is asymmetric with respect to an axis of symmetry perpendicular to the length extension of the filament bundle that passes through its center of mass. Each of the two fan-shaped portions 219 has a length of approximately 40 percent of the total length of the filament bundle 218, while the parallel-bundle portion 215 has a length of approximately 20 percent of the total length of the filament bundle 218. Similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first and second filaments 211, 212 of the filament bundle 218 according to Figure 4 are bundled by a ferrule 290 disposed around the parallel bundle portion 215 approximately in the middle of the length extension of the filament bundle 218. The configuration according to Figure 4 can be utilized to realize either two heating sections or two immersion sections at each end of the bundle. Alternatively, in this configuration, one fan-portion 219 may realize the immersion section, while the other fan-out portion 219 may realize the heating section.

[0112] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of an aerosol-generating article 40 according to the present invention. As further described below with respect to FIG. 7, the aerosol-generating article 40 is configured for use in an induction-heated aerosol generator. The article 40 includes a rigid article housing 43 made of a liquid-impermeable material. Together with a bushing 44, the article housing 43 forms a liquid reservoir 41 containing an aerosol-forming liquid 51. The bushing 44 includes an opening that forms an outlet for the liquid reservoir 41. The article 40 further includes a liquid-transporting susceptor assembly 10 corresponding to the susceptor assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1. The filament bundle 18 of the susceptor assembly 10 passes through the opening in the bushing 44, such that it is partially disposed within the liquid reservoir 41 and partially disposed within a vaporization cavity 45 formed by the article housing 43 and the bushing 44 adjacent the liquid reservoir 41. Thus, the filament bundle 18 can deliver aerosol-forming liquid 51 from the liquid reservoir 41 through the outlet to a region outside the liquid reservoir 41, i.e., into the vaporization cavity 45. There, the delivered liquid 51 may be vaporized by inductively heating a portion of the filament bundle 18 disposed within the vaporization cavity 45. Thus, the portion of the filament bundle 18 disposed within the liquid reservoir 41 that is specifically immersed in the aerosol-forming liquid 51 functions as the immersion section 16. The length of the immersion section 16 may advantageously be used to control the amount of aerosol-forming liquid that is immersed and delivered from the liquid reservoir 41 into the vaporization cavity 45. In this embodiment, the immersion section 16 has a length that is approximately 60 percent of the overall length of the filament bundle 18.

[0113] Similarly, the portion of the filament bundle 18 disposed within the vaporization cavity 45 functions at least in part as the heating section 17 when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, as described above with respect to FIG.

[0114] As can be further seen in FIG. 5 , the article 40 includes an air inlet 46 through the article housing 43 into the vaporization cavity 45, allowing air to enter the vaporization cavity 45. The air inlet 46 can be configured to provide airflow at or around the heated section 17 of the filament bundle 18. The air inlet 46 can be a hole through the reservoir body. Similarly, the air inlet 46 can be a nozzle configured to direct the airflow toward a specific target location in the filament bundle 18. Additionally, the article 41 includes a mouthpiece 47 that forms a proximal end portion of the vaporization cavity 45. The mouthpiece 47 has a tapered shape that includes an air outlet 48 at its extreme end, thereby allowing a user to inhale the aerosol directly from the article. The mouthpiece preferably includes a filter (not shown). Thus, when a user takes a puff, vaporized aerosol-forming liquid from heating section 17 is exposed to the airflow entering vaporization cavity 45 through air inlet 46 to form an aerosol that may be drawn out through air outlet 48 in mouthpiece 47.

[0115] In general, the aerosol-generating article 40 may be a single-use aerosol-generating article or a multiple-use aerosol-generating article. In the latter case, the aerosol-generating article 40 may be refillable, i.e., the liquid reservoir 41 may be refillable with aerosol-forming liquid 51 after it has been depleted.

[0116] Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of an aerosol-generating article 340 according to the present invention. Features similar or identical to those of the aerosol-generating article 40 shown in Figure 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, incremented by 300. In contrast to the article 40 according to Figure 5, the aerosol-generating article 340 according to Figure 6 includes two liquid reservoirs: a first liquid reservoir 341 containing a first aerosol-forming liquid 351 and a second liquid reservoir 342 containing a second aerosol-forming liquid 352. For each of the reservoirs 341, 342, the article 340 includes a separate susceptor assembly 310, 410 for transporting the aerosol-forming liquid from the respective reservoir 341, 342 to a common vaporization cavity 345. Thus, the first susceptor assembly 310, including the first filament bundle 318, passes from the first liquid reservoir 341 through a corresponding opening in the bushing 344 and into the vaporization cavity 345. Similarly, a second susceptor assembly 410 containing a second filament bundle 418 passes from a second liquid reservoir 342 through a corresponding opening in a bushing 344 and into the vaporization cavity 345 .

[0117] Both susceptor assemblies 310, 410 are preferably heated simultaneously when exposed to the alternating magnetic field. Thus, the first and second aerosol-forming liquids are vaporized simultaneously and then mixed to form a composite aerosol potentially containing various substances and flavors. This is particularly applicable when the first and second aerosol-forming liquids are different from each other. Thus, the aerosol-generating article according to FIG. 6 advantageously enhances the variety of user experiences in terms of flavors and aerosol compositions.

[0118] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an aerosol-generating system 80 according to the present invention. The system 80 comprises an inductively heated aerosol-generating device 60 and an aerosol-generating article 40 for use with the device 60. In this embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 40 corresponds to the article illustrated in FIG. 5. In particular, the article 40 comprises a susceptor assembly 10 for transporting and heating an aerosol-forming liquid 51 contained within the article 40. The aerosol-generating device 60 is an electrically operated device capable of interacting with the article 40 to generate an aerosol by inductively heating the aerosol-forming liquid via the susceptor assembly 10. To this end, the aerosol-generating device 60 comprises a receiving cavity 62 formed within a device housing 61 in a proximal portion of the device 60. The receiving cavity 62 is configured to removably receive at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article 40. To heat the susceptor assembly 10, the aerosol-generating device 60 comprises an induction source including an induction coil 32. In this embodiment, the induction coil 32 is a single helical coil arranged and configured to generate a substantially uniform alternating magnetic field. As seen in FIG. 1 , the induction coil 32 is positioned around the proximal end portion of the receiving recess 62 so as to surround a portion of the filament bundle 18 when the aerosol-generating article 40 is received in the receiving recess 62. In particular, the induction coil 32 is positioned to generate an alternating magnetic field that locally penetrates the filament bundle 18 only in the heated section 17. In contrast, due to the localized heating, the immersed section 16 of the filament bundle 18 remains below the vaporization temperature. Therefore, boiling of the aerosol-forming liquid 51 in the liquid reservoir 41 is prevented.

[0119] The induction source of the aerosol-generating device 60 and the susceptor assembly 10 of the aerosol-generating article 44 together form an induction heating assembly in accordance with the present invention.

[0120] The aerosol generating device 60 further comprises a controller 64 for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating system 80, in particular for controlling the heating operation.

[0121] The aerosol generating device 60 further includes a power supply 63 that provides power to generate the alternating magnetic field. The power supply 63 is preferably a battery, such as a lithium iron phosphate battery. The power supply 63 may have a capacity that allows for sufficient energy storage for one or more user experiences.

[0122] Both the controller 64 and the power supply 63 are disposed in the distal portion of the aerosol generating device 60 .

[0123] For purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and the like should be understood in all instances to be modified by the term "about." Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and any intermediate ranges thereof, which may or may not be specifically recited herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood as A ± 5 percent. Within this context, the number A may be considered to include a numerical value that is within the general standard error for measurement of the property that the number A modifies. In some instances, such as those used in the appended claims, the number A may deviate by the percentages recited above, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and any intermediate ranges thereof, which may or may not be specifically recited herein.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating article used in conjunction with an induction heating aerosol generator, wherein the aerosol generating article is A first liquid storage section including an outlet for storing a first aerosol-forming liquid, A first liquid transport susceptor assembly for transporting and inductively heating an aerosol-forming liquid under the influence of an alternating magnetic field, comprising a first filament bundle for delivering the first aerosol-forming liquid from the first liquid storage section through the outlet of the first liquid storage section into an area outside the first liquid storage section, wherein the first filament bundle comprises at least a plurality of first filaments comprising a first susceptor material, and the plurality of first filaments are arranged parallel to each other along at least a parallel bundle portion of the first filament bundle, The aerosol generating article is equipped with, A second liquid storage section including an outlet for storing a second aerosol-forming liquid, A second liquid transport susceptor assembly for transporting and inductively heating an aerosol-forming liquid under the influence of an alternating magnetic field, comprising a second filament bundle for delivering the second aerosol-forming liquid from the second liquid storage section through the outlet of the second liquid storage section into an area outside the second liquid storage section, wherein the second filament bundle comprises at least a plurality of filaments comprising a susceptor material, and the plurality of filaments are arranged parallel to each other along at least a parallel bundle portion of the second filament bundle, An aerosol-generating article that also features the following:

2. The aerosol generating article according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating article comprises two storage compartments.

3. The aerosol generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first liquid transport susceptor assembly is separated from the second liquid transport susceptor assembly.

4. The aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second liquid transport susceptor assemblies are configured to be heated simultaneously when exposed to an alternating magnetic field.

5. The aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the region outside the first liquid storage section and the region outside the second liquid storage section are provided by a common vaporization cavity.

6. The aerosol generating article according to claim 5, wherein the first filament bundle extends from the first liquid storage section through a corresponding opening in the bushing into the common vaporization cavity, and the second filament bundle extends from the second liquid storage section through a corresponding opening in the bushing into the common vaporization cavity.

7. The aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first aerosol-forming liquid is different from the second aerosol-forming liquid.

8. The aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the first filament bundle, the second filament bundle, or the first and second filament bundles further comprises a plurality of second filaments comprising a second susceptor material, wherein the plurality of second filaments are arranged parallel to each other and parallel to the plurality of first filaments along at least the parallel bundle portion of the filament bundle, and the second susceptor material preferably comprises one of a ferrimagnetic material or a ferromagnetic material.

9. The aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in the first filament bundle, the second filament bundle, or each of the first and second filament bundles, the plurality of first filaments, and if present, the plurality of second filaments, have a diameter of up to 0.025 mm, up to 0.05 mm, up to 0.1 mm, up to 0.15 mm, up to 0.2 mm, up to 0.25 mm, up to 0.3 mm, up to 0.35 mm, up to 0.4 mm, up to 0.45 mm, or up to 0.5 mm.

10. The aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein in the first filament bundle, the second filament bundle, or each of the first and second filament bundles, the plurality of first filaments and, if present, the plurality of second filaments are surface-treated, specifically including a surface coating such as an aerosol-enhancing surface coating, a liquid-adhesive surface coating, a liquid-repellent surface coating, or an antimicrobial surface coating.

11. The aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein in the first filament bundle, the second filament bundle, or each of the first and second filament bundles, the plurality of first filaments in the filament bundle comprises 3 to 100 first filaments, specifically 10 to 80 first filaments, preferably 20 to 60 first filaments, more preferably 30 to 50 first filaments, for example 40 first filaments, and, if present, the plurality of second filaments in the filament bundle comprises 1 to 100 second filaments, specifically 10 to 80 second filaments, preferably 20 to 60 second filaments, more preferably 30 to 50 second filaments, for example 40 second filaments.

12. The aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein in the parallel bundle portion of the first filament bundle, the parallel bundle portion of the second filament bundle, or the parallel bundle portion of each of the first and second filament bundles, the average intercenter distance between adjacent first filaments and, if present, second filaments is a maximum of 0.025 mm, a maximum of 0.05 mm, a maximum of 0.1 mm, a maximum of 0.15 mm, a maximum of 0.2 mm, a maximum of 0.25 mm, a maximum of 0.3 mm, a maximum of 0.35 mm, a maximum of 0.4 mm, a maximum of 0.45 mm, or a maximum of 0.5 mm.

13. The aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein in the first filament bundle, the second filament bundle, or each of the first and second filament bundles, the parallel bundle portion has a length of at least 5 percent, 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent, or 80 percent of the total length of the filament bundle.

14. The aerosol generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein in the first filament bundle, the second filament bundle, or each of the first and second filament bundles, the parallel bundle portion is located at one end of the filament bundle, or the parallel bundle portion is specifically located symmetrically between both ends of the filament bundle.

15. An aerosol generating system comprising an induction heating aerosol generator and an aerosol generating article used together with the induction heating aerosol generator, wherein the aerosol generating article comprises the aerosol generating article described in any one of claims 1 to 14, and the induction heating aerosol generator comprises at least one induction source configured and positioned to generate an alternating magnetic field in the first and second liquid transport susceptor assemblies of the aerosol generating article, specifically in the heating sections of the first and second filament bundles, when the aerosol generating article is used together with the induction heating aerosol generator.

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