aerosol generator

Abstract

The aerosol generator (304) is elongated along its longitudinal direction and includes an aerosol generating material (302) and a resistance heating layer (340). The resistance heating layer comprises first resistance heating elements (342a-e) configured to heat at least a first portion of the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol, and second resistance heating elements (342a-e) configured to heat at least a second portion of the aerosol generating material to generate another aerosol. The aerosol generating material is located on the resistance heating layer. The aerosol generator further comprises at least one first type of electrical contact (360a-e) and at least one second type of electrical contact (365).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Priority Claim This application claims priority to UK Patent Application No. 2304638.6, entitled "AEROSOL GENERATOR", filed on March 29, 2023; UK Patent Application No. 2317713.2, entitled "AEROSOL GENERATOR", filed on November 20, 2023; and US Patent Application No. 18 / 465589, entitled "AEROSOL GENERATOR", filed on September 12, 2023, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to an aerosol generator for an article for an aerosol supply device. The present invention also relates to an article for an aerosol supply device, an aerosol supply system, a method of forming an aerosol generator for an article for an aerosol supply device, and a blank for forming an aerosol generator for an article for an aerosol supply device.

Background Art

[0003] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars burn tobacco during use to generate tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products include so-called "non-combustion heating" products, or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating a material without burning. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

[0004] Aerosol supply systems covering the devices or products described above are known. Typical systems use a heater to generate an aerosol from a suitable medium, which is then inhaled by the user. Often, the medium used needs to be replaced or modified to provide different aerosols for inhalation. It is known that resistance heating systems are used as heaters for generating aerosols from a suitable medium. [Overview of the project]

[0005] According to one embodiment, an aerosol generator for an article for an aerosol supply device is provided. The aerosol generator is elongated along its longitudinal direction. The aerosol generator comprises an aerosol generating material and a resistance heating layer. The resistance heating layer comprises a first resistance heating element configured to heat at least a first portion of the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol, and a second resistance heating element configured to heat at least a second portion of the aerosol generating material to generate another aerosol. The aerosol generating material is located on the resistance heating layer. The aerosol generator further comprises at least one first type of electrical contact and at least one second type of electrical contact. The first resistance heating element is at least part of a conductive path between one of the first type of electrical contacts and one of the second type of electrical contacts. The second resistance heating element is at least part of a conductive path between another one of the first type of electrical contacts and one of the second type of electrical contacts. The first resistance heating element is displaced from the second resistance heating element in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0006] In any of the embodiments described above, at least one electrical contact of the first type may be located at the longitudinal end of the aerosol generator.

[0007] In any of the embodiments described above, at least one second type of electrical contact may be located at the longitudinal end of the aerosol generator.

[0008] In any of the above embodiments, the first and / or second resistance heating element may have a meandering shape.

[0009] In any of the above embodiments, the meandering shape may include a portion that wraps around the body laterally in a front-to-back direction.

[0010] In any of the embodiments described above, the first and second resistance heating elements are at least partially nested within each other.

[0011] In any of the embodiments described above, the first and second resistance heating elements overlap at least partially in the longitudinal and / or transverse directions.

[0012] In any of the embodiments described above, the first resistance heating element and the second resistance heating element are arranged alternately with respect to each other.

[0013] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator is tubular.

[0014] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator is wound or twisted to form a tubular shape.

[0015] In any of the embodiments described above, at least one of the first and second resistance heating elements follows a helical path.

[0016] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises an aerosol generating layer incorporating an aerosol generating material. In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generating layer is located on a resistance heating layer.

[0017] In any of the above embodiments, the first and second resistance heating elements may be separated from each other, and each of the first and second resistance heating elements may be operated independently.

[0018] In any of the above embodiments, the first and second resistance heating elements may be directly adjacent to each other.

[0019] In any of the embodiments described above, at least one second type of electrical contact may be a single second type of electrical contact common to both the first and second resistance heating elements.

[0020] In any of the embodiments described above, at least one second type of electrical contact may be multiple second type electrical contacts.

[0021] In any of the above embodiments, the first and / or second resistance heating elements may extend longitudinally along the entire length of the aerosol-generating material.

[0022] In any of the embodiments described above, the aerosol generator may further comprise a plurality of contact pads. The plurality of contact pads may comprise a first end contact pad electrically coupled to a first type electrical contact that is closer to the first longitudinal edge than any of the other first type electrical contacts; one or more intermediate contact pads, each electrically coupled to both one of the first and second type electrical contacts of one of the resistance heating elements and one of the first and second type electrical contacts of an adjacent resistance heating element; and a second end contact pad electrically coupled to a second type electrical contact that is closer to the second longitudinal edge than any of the other second type electrical contacts.

[0023] In any of the embodiments described above, each of the one or more intermediate contact pads may be electrically coupled to both a first type of electrical contact of one of the resistive heating elements and a second type of electrical contact of an adjacent resistive heating element.

[0024] In any of the embodiments described above, each of one or more intermediate contact pads may be electrically coupled to both a first type electrical contact of one of the resistive heating elements and a first type electrical contact of an adjacent resistive heating element.

[0025] In any of the above embodiments, each of the second type of electrical contacts may be disposed between two of the first type of electrical contacts and / or each of the first type of electrical contacts may be disposed between two of the second type of electrical contacts.

[0026] In any of the above embodiments, each of the second type of electrical contacts may be disposed between another second type of electrical contact and a first type of electrical contact and / or each of the first type of electrical contacts may be disposed between another first type of electrical contact and a second type of electrical contact.

[0027] In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the first type of electrical contacts comprises a plurality of electrical contacts.

[0028] According to one aspect, an aerosol generating system is provided. The aerosol generating system comprises an article comprising the aerosol generator described above and an aerosol supply device configured to receive the article and generate an aerosol using the article.

[0029] According to one aspect, an aerosol generator for an article for an aerosol supply device is provided. The aerosol generator is elongated along a longitudinal direction. The aerosol generator is a resistive heating layer comprising an aerosol generating material and a resistive heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol, wherein the aerosol generating material is on the resistive heating layer, and the resistive heating layer, a first type of electrical contact, and a second type of electrical contact. The resistive heating element is at least a part of a conductive path between the first type of electrical contact and the second type of electrical contact. The resistive heating element extends longitudinally along the entire length of the heating section of the aerosol generator.

[0030] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises an aerosol generating layer incorporating an aerosol generating material. In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generating layer is on the resistive heating layer.

[0031] According to one embodiment, an aerosol generator for an article for an aerosol supply device is provided. The aerosol generator is elongated along its longitudinal direction. The aerosol generator comprises an aerosol generating material and a resistance heating layer comprising a resistance heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol, wherein the aerosol generating material lies on the resistance heating layer, and comprises a resistance heating layer, a first type of electrical contact, and a second type of electrical contact. The resistance heating element is at least a portion of a conductive path between the first type of electrical contact and the second type of electrical contact. The conductive path extends longitudinally.

[0032] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises an aerosol generating layer incorporating an aerosol generating material. In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generating layer is located on a resistance heating layer.

[0033] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for manufacturing an aerosol generator of an article for an aerosol supply device. The aerosol generator is elongated along its longitudinal direction. The method includes the steps of moving a resistance heating layer along its longitudinal direction and forming on the resistance heating layer a first resistance heating element configured to generate heat, a second resistance heating element configured to generate heat, a plurality of first type electrical contacts, and at least one second type electrical contact. The first resistance heating element is at least part of a conductive path between one of the first type electrical contacts and the second type electrical contact or one of the second type electrical contacts. The second resistance heating element is at least part of a conductive path between another one of the first type electrical contacts and the second type electrical contact or another one of the second type electrical contacts. The first and second resistance heating elements are displaced laterally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0034] In any of the above embodiments, the forming step may be performed at least partially simultaneously with the moving step.

[0035] In any of the embodiments described above, the exterior of the article has a length, a width perpendicular to the length, and a depth perpendicular to both the length and the width, where the length is greater than or equal to the width and the width is greater than the depth.

[0036] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator includes a support configured to support a resistance heating layer.

[0037] In any of the above embodiments, the support comprises a support layer.

[0038] In any of the above embodiments, the support is electrically insulating.

[0039] In any of the above embodiments, the support comprises at least one of paper and card.

[0040] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generating material is in direct contact with the resistance heating layer.

[0041] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generating material is indirectly in contact with the resistance heating layer.

[0042] In any of the above embodiments, the resistance heating layer and the support layer define the substrate.

[0043] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a laminate having a resistance heating layer and a support layer.

[0044] In any of the above embodiments, the laminate includes an aerosol-generating layer.

[0045] In any of the above embodiments, the support layer comprises a card layer.

[0046] In any of the embodiments described above, the first type of electrical contact is configured to be electrically connected to a device electrical connector, and the second type of electrical contact is configured to be electrically connected to a device electrical connector.

[0047] In any of the embodiments described above, the support defines the exposed contact area of ​​the first type of electrical contact.

[0048] In any of the embodiments described above, the exposed contact area is a first exposed contact area, and the support defines a second exposed contact area of ​​a second type of electrical contact.

[0049] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generation layer is a continuous aerosol generation layer.

[0050] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generation layer is a discontinuous aerosol generation layer.

[0051] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generating layer includes a plurality of individual aerosol generating portions.

[0052] In any of the embodiments described above, the resistance heating element is one of a plurality of resistance heating elements.

[0053] In any of the embodiments described above, one of the individual aerosol generating sections is associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of resistance heating elements.

[0054] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol-generating layer comprises at least one of dots, strips, and patches.

[0055] In any of the embodiments described above, the resistance heating element is a first heating element, the resistance heating layer forms a second resistance heating element, and each resistance heating element provides a conductive path for resistance heating of a portion of the aerosol generating material in order to generate an aerosol in each portion of the aerosol generating material.

[0056] In any of the embodiments described above, the resistance heating element is a first heating element, the resistance heating layer forms a second resistance heating element, and each resistance heating element provides a conductive path for resistance heating a portion of the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol in each portion of the aerosol generating layer.

[0057] In any of the above embodiments, the resistance heating layer forms an array of resistance heating elements comprising at least a first resistance heating element and a second resistance heating element.

[0058] In any of the embodiments described above, each of the first type of electrical contact and the second type of electrical contact is configured to allow current to be supplied individually to each of the resistance heating elements.

[0059] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generating layer comprises a film or gel layer containing an aerosol generating material.

[0060] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of first-type electrical contacts, and each of the heating elements comprises a separate first-type electrical contact.

[0061] In any of the embodiments described above, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of second-type electrical contacts, and each of the resistance heating elements comprises a separate second-type electrical contact.

[0062] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a single second type of electrical contact.

[0063] In any of the embodiments described above, a single second type of electrical contact is shared between each of the resistive heating elements.

[0064] In any of the above embodiments, the resistance heating element is formed by at least one of the following steps: cutting a resistance heating layer; chemically etching a resistance heating layer; forming or pressing a resistance heating layer within a substrate; and printing a resistance heating layer.

[0065] In any of the above embodiments, the resistance heating layer is in the form of a foil.

[0066] According to one embodiment, an aerosol generator for an article for an aerosol supply device is provided. The aerosol generator comprises an aerosol generating material, a resistance heating layer having a resistance heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol, a first type of electrical contact, and a second type of electrical contact. The resistance heating element is at least a portion of a conductive path between the first type of electrical contact and the second type of electrical contact.

[0067] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises an aerosol generating layer incorporating an aerosol generating material. In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generating layer is located on a resistance heating layer.

[0068] According to one embodiment, an aerosol supply device is provided that is configured to receive articles for any of the above-mentioned aerosol generators or aerosol supply devices.

[0069] According to one embodiment, an aerosol supply system is provided comprising an aerosol generator or article for any of the above-mentioned aerosol supply devices and any of the above-mentioned aerosol supply devices.

[0070] Next, various embodiments will be described as mere examples, with reference to the attached schematic diagram. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0071] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol supply system. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an article equipped with an aerosol-generating material for an aerosol supply system. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the first side of the aerosol generator of the article. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the second side of the aerosol generator. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an aerosol supply system, such as the system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a schematic partially exploded perspective view of the article, showing the aerosol generator inverted from its assembled orientation and spaced apart from the other components. [Figure 7] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another aerosol generator, such as the aerosol generator shown in Figure 3. [Figure 8] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the heating element of the aerosol generator. [Figure 9] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the resistance heating layer of an aerosol generator having multiple heating elements. [Figure 10] According to the method for forming an aerosol generator, such as the aerosol generator shown in Figure 3. [Figure 11] This is a disassembled perspective view of the formed aerosol generator. [Figure 12] This is a schematic perspective view of the resistance heating layer of the aerosol generator that has been formed. [Figure 13] According to the method for forming an aerosol generator, such as the aerosol generator shown in Figure 3. [Figure 14] According to the method for forming an aerosol generator, such as the aerosol generator shown in Figure 3. [Figure 15] According to the method for forming an aerosol generator, such as the aerosol generator shown in Figure 3. [Figure 16] This is a schematic perspective view of the resistance heating layer of the aerosol generator that has been formed. [Figure 17] This is a schematic plan view of the heating element of the aerosol generator. [Figure 18A] This is a schematic plan view of the heating element of the aerosol generator. [Figure 18B] This is a schematic plan view of another heating element of the aerosol generator. [Figure 18C] This is a schematic plan view of another heating element of the aerosol generator. [Figure 18D] This is a schematic plan view of another heating element of the aerosol generator. [Figure 18E] This is a schematic plan view of another heating element of the aerosol generator. [Figure 18F] This is a schematic perspective view of the heating element of an aerosol generator. [Figure 19] This is a schematic perspective view of a resistance heating layer having resistance heating elements in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 20] This is a schematic perspective view of another resistance heating layer having a resistance heating element in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 21] This is a flowchart showing the method for manufacturing an aerosol generator. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0072] As used herein, the term “delivery mechanism” is intended to encompass a system for delivering a substance to a user, and includes non-combustible aerosol supply systems that release compounds from aerosolizable materials without burning the aerosolizable materials, such as a hybrid system for generating aerosols using a combination of electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and aerosolizable materials, and articles comprising aerosolizable materials and configured for use in one of these non-combustible aerosol supply systems.

[0073] According to this disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol supply system is a system in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials (or components of those materials) of the aerosol supply system are not burned or incinerated in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to the user.

[0074] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol supply system.

[0075] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0076] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. An example of such a system is a cigarette heating system.

[0077] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0078] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol supply system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol supply device and consumables for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply device.

[0079] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating materials and configured for use with non-combustible aerosol supply devices. These consumables may be referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0080] In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as a non-combustible aerosol supply device, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, a power supply.

[0081] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system may include an area for receiving consumables, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a suction port, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0082] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may include aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, packaging material, a filter, a suction nozzle, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0083] As used herein, “aerosol-generating material” (sometimes referred to herein as “aerosolizable material”) is a material that can generate an aerosol when heated, irradiated, or electrically charged in any other manner. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or semi-solid (such as a gel), which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings.

[0084] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered includes an active substance (sometimes referred to herein as an active compound).

[0085] The aerosol-generating material may include one or more active substances and / or fragrances, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0086] The aerosol-generating material may include a binder such as a gelling agent and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and / or a filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent such as water may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant-based materials. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0087] The aerosol-generating material may include an aerosol-generating film, or may be in the form of an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may include a binder such as a gelling agent and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and / or a filler may also be present. The aerosol-generating film may not contain substantially any plant material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco-free.

[0088] The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of approximately 0.015 mm to approximately 1 mm. For example, the thickness may be in the range of approximately 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or 0.15 mm to approximately 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.

[0089] The aerosol-generating film may be continuous. For example, the film may consist of a continuous sheet of material, or it may be a continuous sheet of material.

[0090] The aerosol-generating film may be discontinuous. For example, the aerosol-generating film may include one or more individual parts or regions of aerosol-generating material, such as dots, stripes, or lines, which may be supported on a support. In such embodiments, the support may be planar or non-planar.

[0091] The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder such as a gelling agent with a solvent such as water, an aerosol-forming agent, and one or more other components such as one or more substances to be delivered to form a slurry, and then heating the slurry to volatilize at least a portion of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film.

[0092] The slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60% by weight, 70% by weight, 80% by weight, 85% by weight, or 90% by weight of the solvent.

[0093] The aerosol-generating material may be an amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is a monolithic solid. The aerosol-generating material may be non-fibrous or fibrous. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may be a dry gel. The aerosol-generating material may be a solid material that may hold some fluid, such as a liquid, inside. In some embodiments, the held fluid may be water (such as water absorbed from the surroundings of the aerosol-generating material) or the held fluid may be a solvent (such as when the aerosol-generating material is formed from a slurry). In some embodiments, the solvent may be water.

[0094] The aerosol-forming agent material may contain one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming agent material may contain one or more of the following: glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, mesoerythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyline, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0095] One or more other functional materials may include one or more of the following: pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0096] The material may be present on or within a support to form a substrate. The support may be, for example, paper, cardboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal, or metal alloy, or may comprise these materials.

[0097] An aerosol supply device can accept an article containing an aerosol-generating material for heating. In this context, "article" refers to a component or component containing an aerosol-generating material that is heated during use to volatilize the aerosol-generating material, and optionally other components during use. The user may insert the article into or onto the aerosol supply device before the article is heated to generate an aerosol, after which the user inhales the aerosol.

[0098] An aerosol generator is a device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to supply thermal energy to the aerosol-generating material in order to release one or more volatile substances from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.

[0099] Consumables are articles containing aerosol-generating material or articles consisting of aerosol-generating material, some or all of which are intended to be consumed by the user during use. Consumables may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, packaging material, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier. Consumables may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, which generates heat during use to cause the aerosol-generating material to produce an aerosol. The heater may comprise, for example, a material that can be heated by electrical conductivity.

[0100] A non-combustible aerosol supply system may comprise a modular assembly that includes both a reusable aerosol supply device and interchangeable aerosol products. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply device may comprise a power supply and a controller (i.e., a control circuit). The power supply may comprise a power source such as a battery or rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply device may also comprise an aerosol generating component. However, in other embodiments, the aerosol product may comprise the aerosol generating component partially or entirely.

[0101] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the aerosol supply system 100. The aerosol supply system 100 comprises an aerosol supply device 200 and an article 300 equipped with an aerosol generating material 302 (see Figure 3). The article 300 removed from the aerosol supply device 200 is shown in Figure 2. The aerosol generator 304 of the article 300 is shown in Figure 3 along with a perspective view of a first side view 306, and a perspective view of a portion of a second side view 307 is shown in Figure 4.

[0102] Article 300 comprises an aerosol generator 304. The aerosol generator 304 is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material 302 when the aerosol supply system 100 is in operation, as will be described in detail below.

[0103] The aerosol supply system 100 may be elongated and extend along its longitudinal axis. The aerosol supply system 100 has a proximal end 102 closest to the user (e.g., the user's mouth) when used by the user to inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol supply system 100, and a distal end 104 furthest from the user when used.

[0104] The proximal end may also be called the “mouthpiece end.” Thus, the aerosol supply system 100 defines a proximal direction that is directed toward the user during use. Furthermore, the aerosol supply system 100 similarly defines a distal direction that is directed away from the user during use. The terms proximal and distal applied to the features of system 100 are explained by referring to the relative arrangement of such features relative to each other in the proximal-distal direction along the longitudinal axis.

[0105] Article 300 is received by an aerosol supply device 200. The configurations of article 300 and the aerosol supply device 200 may vary. In this embodiment, the aerosol supply device 200 comprises a device body 202. The device has a housing 204 that encloses the components of the device 200. As shown in Figure 5, an article receiving section 206, sometimes called a device chamber, is configured to receive a portion of article 300. The proximal end 308 of the article protrudes from the device 200 when article 300 is received into the device chamber 206. A receptacle 208 defines the chamber 206. The receptacle 208 comprises a receptacle base 210 and a receptacle periphery wall 212. The configuration of the receptacle 208 may vary depending on the configuration of article 300.

[0106] One or more user-operable control elements 224, such as buttons or switches, may be provided on the aerosol supply device 200 for use in operating the aerosol supply system 100. For example, a user may activate the system 100 by pressing a control element 224.

[0107] The aerosol supply device 200 has an opening 214 at its proximal end that leads to a device chamber 206. The opening 214 is provided at one end and into which an article 300 can be inserted. In embodiments, the article 300 may be fully or partially inserted into the device 200. The configuration of the device 200 may vary, for example, the opening may be located on the longitudinal side wall of the device 200 and / or may be closed by another mechanism of the device 200 during use. In this configuration, the article 300 defines a mouthpiece 310 at the proximal end 308. In other embodiments, the device 200 defines the mouthpiece. The user places their mouth over the mouthpiece during use.

[0108] Device 200 defines a longitudinal axis along which article 300 may extend when inserted into device 200. The opening 214 is aligned on the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may also be the axis along which article 300 is inserted into device 200. The longitudinal axis may be considered the receiving axis of device 200. Article 300 may similarly have a longitudinal axis along which it is inserted into the device, and this axis may be considered the insertion axis.

[0109] The aerosol supply device 200 includes a power supply 220. The power supply 220 may be a battery, for example, a rechargeable battery. The device 200 also includes a control circuit 222 which functions as a controller, comprising a processor and memory.

[0110] As will be described in detail below, the heating system 110 is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material 302 of the article 300. In this embodiment, the article 300 is a consumable and interchangeable with other articles 300. The heating system 110 comprises an aerosol generator 304. The heating system 110 comprises the article 300 and other components of the aerosol supply system 100, including components of the aerosol supply device 200, such as a power supply 220 and a control circuit 222.

[0111] The aerosol generator 304 forms part of article 300. The aerosol generator 304 includes a heating component 312 configured to generate an aerosol by heating at least one of an aerosol-generating material 302, such as a film and a gel. The aerosol-generating material may also be called an aerosolizable material.

[0112] The heating component 312 is a resistance heating component. In the embodiment, the heating element or each heating element is a resistance heating element, as will be described in detail below. In such a component, the heating system 110 includes a resistance heating generator which includes components for heating the heating component 312 by a resistance heating process. In this case, a current is applied directly to the resistance heating element, which acts as a heating component, and the resulting current flow within the heating element heats the heating element by Joule heating. The resistance heating element comprises a resistance material configured to generate heat when an appropriate current passes through the resistance heating element, and the heating component 312 comprises electrical contacts for supplying current to the resistance material. The provision of the resistance heating component 312 enables a compact configuration. Resistance heating provides an efficient configuration.

[0113] In the use of the aerosol supply system 100, air is drawn into the air inlet 314 of the article 300, as indicated by arrow 316. The air inlet 314 is located at the distal end of the article 300. In embodiments, the air inlet 314 may have different configurations, for example, on the side. The airflow to the air inlet 314 of the article 300 may be defined by at least one of the following: an air path through the device 200, an air path outside the device 200, and an air path between the device 200 and the article 300. The aerosol generated by the aerosol generator 304 exits the device at the aerosol outlet 318, as indicated by arrow 319. In embodiments, the aerosol outlet 318 is located in the mouthpiece of the article 300 so that the aerosol is drawn directly from the article 300 to the user's mouth of the device 10.

[0114] In some exemplary embodiments, the aerosol supply system includes two main components: a control unit that forms a reusable component, and a consumable component that forms a replaceable or disposable article or cartridge, which may also be called a replaceable or disposable article or cartridge. As described herein, the aerosol supply device 200 forms the control unit, and the article 300 forms the consumable component. In the use of the aerosol generation system, the control unit and the consumable component may be releasably connected at an interface. The consumable component may be removable and replaceable, for example, when the consumable component is in use, and the control unit may be reused with another consumable component.

[0115] The illustrated aerosol supply system 100 is provided merely as an example and is highly schematic. Different aerosol generating devices and other devices may be used in exemplary embodiments of the principle described herein. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, air is drawn into an air inlet of the control unit, passes through an interface, and exits the consumable parts.

[0116] As schematically shown in Figure 5 and described in detail below, article 300 has article electrical contact configuration 320. In this embodiment, the electrical contact configuration 320 is formed by an aerosol generator 304. The electrical contact configuration 320 includes a heater electrical contact 322. The heater electrical contact 322 may also be known as a heater or article contact. The aerosol supply device 200 includes an electrical connector 230. The electrical connector 230 includes a connector electrical contact 232. The connector electrical contact 232 may also be known as a connector or device contact. The article electrical contact configuration 320 is configured to communicate electrically with the device electrical connector 230.

[0117] The configuration of article 300 may vary. Article 300 comprises a body 324, which is hollow. The body 324 defines a flow path 326 (see Figure 6) through article 300. The flow path 326 extends between an air inlet 314 and an aerosol outlet 318. The flow path 326 is defined by an internal space within the article through which air and / or aerosols can flow. The flow path 326 is defined within the body 324. An aerosol generator 304 or each aerosol generator borders the flow path 326. The aerosol generating material 302 is exposed to the flow path 326. The aerosol generating material 302 is exposed to the internal space. In the embodiment, the internal space comprises two or more chambers.

[0118] The air inlet 314 includes an opening 315. The opening 315 is formed in the main body 324. In embodiments, the opening is formed in another component of the article 300, for example, the aerosol generator 304 or another wall feature. The aerosol outlet 318 includes an outlet opening 317. The outlet opening 317 is formed in the main body 324. In embodiments, the outlet opening 317 is formed in another component of the article 300, for example, the aerosol generator 304 or another wall feature.

[0119] As shown in Figure 6, article 300 comprises two aerosol generators 304 that form an aerosol generator configuration. The number of aerosol generators 304 may vary. Each aerosol generator 304 comprises an aerosol generating material 302. The aerosol generating material 302 is exposed to the flow path 326. In embodiments, article 300 includes a single aerosol generator 304. One of the aerosol generators 304 is described in detail, but such details are applicable to one or more further aerosol generators 304 in embodiments.

[0120] The aerosol generator 304, or each aerosol generator and body 324, is formed in a layered configuration. In embodiments, other structures such as tubular structures of articles are conceivable. In such tubular structures, the aerosol generator 304 defines a tubular structure. The tubular shape may include circular, elliptical, and other polygonal shapes.

[0121] In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, article 300 has a flat configuration. That is, the exterior of the article has a length, a width perpendicular to the length, and a depth perpendicular to each of the length and width, where the length is greater than or equal to the width, and the width is greater than the depth. Other configurations are also conceivable.

[0122] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of article 300, in which the aerosol generator 304 is shown inverted from its assembled orientation and spaced apart from the other components. Article 300 comprises a first aerosol generator 302, a body 324, and a second aerosol generator. The body 324 separates the first and second aerosol generators 304. The first and second aerosol generators 304 occupy an internal space defined by the body 324 through which air and / or aerosols can flow. The aerosol-generating materials 302 of the first and second aerosol generators 304 are exposed to the internal space facing each other. When assembled, the first and second aerosol generators 304 sandwich the body 324. In the embodiment of Figure 6, at least the first and second aerosol generators 304 and the body have equal planar area. In the embodiment, one or more of the first and second aerosol generators 304 and the body 324 have a greater length and / or width. In the embodiment, one of the first and second aerosol generators 304 is replaced by a blank panel. The body 324 comprises a body layer. The body may comprise multiple body layers. The body layers are formed in a lamination and may be arranged to define features of the article 300, such as an air inlet 314 and an aerosol outlet 318.

[0123] The wrap surrounds the article 300 and forms part of the article 300. The wrap may include a sheet. The wrap functions as a fixing sleeve. The aerosol generator 304 or each aerosol generator protrudes from the wrap at its distal end. The exposed electrical contact area 323 of the heater contact 322 is exposed at the distal end. Other configurations are conceivable, for example, at least one exposed electrical contact area 323 may be additionally or alternatively defined on the main surface of the article defined by the aerosol generator 304, along the short longitudinal surface or edge of the article 300.

[0124] The aerosol generator 304 is schematically shown in cross-section in Figure 7. The aerosol generator 304 is an embodiment of the aerosol generator 304 of the aerosol supply system 100 described above.

[0125] The aerosol generator 304 comprises an aerosol generating layer 330, also known as an aerosolizable layer. The aerosol generating layer 330 comprises an aerosol generating material 302. The aerosol generator 304 also comprises a resistance heating layer 340. In embodiments, the resistance heating layer 340 is formed as a conductive layer. The aerosol generating layer 330 is located on the resistance heating layer 340. The aerosol generating layer 330 is in direct contact with the resistance heating layer 340. In embodiments, the aerosol generating layer 330 is in indirect contact with the resistance heating layer 340. In embodiments, the resistance heating layer 340 may comprise a coating. As will be described in detail below, the resistance heating layer 340 comprises a plurality of resistance heating elements 342, for example, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. Each resistance heating element or each resistance heating element 342 forms at least a portion of a conductive path between a pair of electrical contacts 322. Each resistance heating element or each resistance heating element 342 provides a conductive path for resistance heating at least a portion of the aerosol generating material 302 to generate an aerosol. In embodiments, the aerosol generating material 302 is in the form of a film or a gel.

[0126] The resistance heating layer 340 is formed as a conductive layer. In this embodiment, this layer takes the form of at least one of a metal layer such as an aluminum layer or a non-metallic material such as graphene. The resistance heating layer 340 is in the form of a foil, for example, an aluminum foil.

[0127] The aerosol generator 304 includes a support 350. In this embodiment, the support 350 comprises paper or card material. The support 350 provides structural support for the aerosol generator 304. The resistance heating layer 340 is located on the support 350. The support 350 is configured as a support layer. As shown in Figure 7, in the aerosol generator 304, the resistance heating layer 340 is sandwiched between the support 350 and the aerosol generation layer 330.

[0128] The support 350 is electrically insulating. The resistance heating layer 340 and the support layer 350 define the substrate 352. The substrate 352 supports the aerosol generating layer 330.

[0129] Article 300 may comprise a laminate 354 having a resistance heating layer 340 and a support layer 350. In embodiments, the laminate 354 comprises an aerosol generating layer 330. The aerosol generating layer 330 may be formed as a continuous structure or from separate parts. The discontinuous parts may comprise one or more of dots, strips, helices, or other shapes.

[0130] One or more of the aerosol generation layer 330, the resistance heating layer 340, and the support layer 350 may comprise further layers. For example, the support layer 350 may comprise a backing layer or an intermediate layer. The support layer 350 is omitted in this embodiment.

[0131] Figure 8 shows one of the resistance heating elements 342. The resistance heating layer 340 comprises a plurality of resistance heating elements 342. In this embodiment, the resistance heating layer 340 comprises a single resistance heating element 342.

[0132] Multiple heating elements 342 may be formed in an array 344 as shown in Figure 9. Other configurations are also possible.

[0133] The resistive heating element 342 comprises a resistive heating path. The resistive heating path is formed by a conductive path. The resistive heating path is nonlinear. The resistive heating path is folded. The configuration of the resistive heating path may vary. The electrical resistance of the heating element 342 may depend on the properties of the resistive heating path in the conductive layer, such as the length, width, thickness, and arrangement of the path.

[0134] The resistive heating element 342 extends between the first type of electrical contact 360 and the second type of electrical contact 365. The first type of electrical contact 360 is configured to provide a positive contact, and the second type of electrical contact 365 is configured to provide a negative contact. Current flows through the path between the first type of electrical contact 360 and the second type of electrical contact 365. The contact arrangement may be reversed. The first and second type of electrical contacts 360, 365 constitute the heater electrical contact 322. The first and second type of electrical contacts 360, 365 form at least a portion of the article electrical contact configuration 320.

[0135] The bending or meandering nature of the path of the resistive heating element 342 is such that the electrical resistance of the path increases compared to a straight path between the first and second types of electrical contacts.

[0136] The resistance heating layer 340 may include a first type of electrical track 361 extending from the resistance heating element 342. The first type of electrical track 361 includes a first type of electrical contact 360. The first type of electrical contact 360 is configured to electrically connect to the device electrical connector 230. The first type of electrical contact 360 includes a first type of exposed contact area 362. The first type of exposed contact area 362 is exposed on the article for direct connection to the device electrical connector 230.

[0137] The resistance heating layer 340 may include a second type of electrical track 366 extending from the resistance heating element 342. The second type of electrical track 366 includes a second type of electrical contact 365. The second type of electrical contact 365 is configured to electrically connect to the device electrical connector 230. The second type of electrical contact 365 includes a second type of exposed contact area 367. The second type of exposed contact area 367 is exposed on the article 300 for direct connection to the device electrical connector 230.

[0138] As will be described in detail below, the conductive path of the resistive heating element 342 in the embodiment is formed by defining at least one conductive barrier 346 within the resistive heating layer 340. In the embodiment, the conductive barrier 346 is formed by cutting conductive barrier limitations (i.e., electrically insulating portions), such as gaps, channels, or slots, in a sheet formed of a conductive material to form the resistive heating layer 340. In the embodiment, the conductive element 342 is pre-formed to define the resistive heating element or each resistive heating element 342 and then attached to the support 350. In the embodiment, the resistive heating layer 340 is attached to the support 350 and then the resistive heating element or each resistive heating element 342 is defined within the resistive heating layer 340. The resistive heating element 342 or each resistive heating element defining the resistive heating layer 340 may be a printed heater.

[0139] At least one conductive barrier 346 defines first and second types of electric tracks 361, 366.

[0140] In some embodiments, the tracks of the resistive heating element or each resistive heating element 342 have a width of 0.5 mm to 1 mm (two exemplary prototypes have widths of 0.93 mm and 0.72 mm, respectively) and the gap between tracks is less than approximately 0.25 mm (the same two exemplary prototypes have gaps of 0.2 mm and 0.05 mm, respectively). The resistive heating element or each resistive heating element 342 may have overall dimensions of approximately 10 mm × 10 mm. Other dimensions are possible in other exemplary embodiments. By forming resistive heating elements or each resistive heating element 342 of these dimensions from aluminum foil with a thickness of 0.006 mm and an electrical resistivity of 2 to 6 μOhmcm, the resistance of the path is calculated to be approximately 1 ohm. In one exemplary embodiment, the resistance was measured between 0.83 and 1.31 ohms.

[0141] As shown in Figure 9, the resistance heating layer 340 may be formed on multiple resistance heating elements generally indicated by reference numbers 342a, 342b, 242c, 342d, and 342e. Each of the resistance heating elements 342a to 342e extends from each of the first type of electrical contacts generally indicated by reference numbers 360a, 360b, 360c, 360d, and 360e to a single second type of electrical contact 365. The number of electrical contacts may vary. Thus, each resistance heating element 342a to 342e extends between individual first type electrical contacts and a common second type electrical contact.

[0142] Each of the resistance heating elements 342a to 342e provides a conductive path for resistance heating a portion of the aerosol generating material 302 in order to generate an aerosol in each part of the aerosol generator 304.

[0143] The separate first type of electrical contacts 360a to 360e allow current to be supplied individually to each of the multiple resistive heating elements 342a to 342e. This allows for control of heating of different zones of the aerosol generation layer 330. For example, the aerosol generator may have five aerosol generation zones. The resistive heating layer 340 allows each of these zones to be operated separately. Thus, for example, five aerosol aspirates may be produced from a single consumable incorporating a single aerosol generator 304, or ten aerosol aspirates may be produced from a single consumable incorporating two aerosol generators 304.

[0144] In the exemplary resistance heating layer 340, a plurality of first type electrical contacts 360a to 360e, e.g., positive electrical connections, and a single second type electrical contact 365, e.g., negative electrical connection, are provided. This is not essential in all embodiments. For example, a plurality of second type contacts may be provided. In the embodiment, each resistance heating element 342a to 342e comprises a corresponding first type electrical contact 360 and a corresponding second type electrical contact 365.

[0145] In the embodiment of the resistance heating layer 340 shown in Figure 9, the first type of electrical contacts 360a to 360e are located on the first edge 363 of the resistance heating layer 340, and the second type of electrical contacts 365 are located on the second edge 368 of the resistance heating layer 340. This may allow for convenient power connections, but of course, many other configurations are possible, some of which will be described further below.

[0146] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing part of a method or algorithm for forming an aerosol generator 304, generally denoted by reference numeral 400, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0147] The method or algorithm 400 begins with an operation 402 in which a resistive heating layer is formed on one or more heating elements (e.g., multiple heating elements), each resistive heating element extending from a first type of electrical contact to a second type of electrical contact. During use, the heating elements or each heating element may be used to provide a conductive path for resistive heating of a portion of an aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol. The formation of the resistive heating elements or each resistive heating element may be performed before or after attaching the resistive heating layer to a support, if a support is present. The resistive heating layer may be bonded to the support or mounted or formed on the support in a different configuration.

[0148] In operation 404, the formed resistance heating layer is positioned in contact with the aerosol generating layer, which incorporates the aerosol generating material. The aerosol generator 304 described above may be manufactured using algorithm 400.

[0149] Figure 11 shows an aerosol generator 304 formed according to one embodiment. The aerosol generating material 302 is formed on the resistance heating layer 340 by depositing the aerosol generating material, for example, by spraying, painting, dispensing, or in some other way. In an exemplary embodiment of operation 64, the aerosol generating layer 330 is disposed on the resistance heating layer 340 as indicated by arrow 406.

[0150] Figure 12 shows a resistance heating layer 340 formed according to an exemplary embodiment. The resistance heating layer 340 is in the process of being cut using a laser cutter 408. Cutting the resistance heating layer 340 can be used to form the paths of the heating elements described herein. The use of a laser cutter 408 (or any other cutting process) is not the only way in which the resistance heating layer 340 described herein can be produced. Several exemplary methods are described below.

[0151] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating part of a method for forming an aerosol generator 304 or algorithm, generally denoted by reference numeral 410. The method or algorithm 410 begins with operation 412, in which a resistance heating layer is provided. In operation 414, one or more resistance heating elements are formed within the resistance heating layer by chemical etching of the resistance heating layer. Operations 412 and 414 are exemplary embodiments of operation 402 of method 400 described above. An aerosol generating material is then disposed on the resistance heating layer, thereby performing operation 404 described above.

[0152] Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating part of a method for forming an aerosol generator 304 or algorithm, generally indicated by reference numeral 418. The method or algorithm 418 begins at least partially with operation 420, in which one or more heating elements are formed by printing a resistance heating layer. Thus, operation 420 is an exemplary embodiment of operation 62 of algorithm 402 described above. The aerosol generating material is then disposed on the resistance heating layer, thereby performing operation 404 described above.

[0153] The cutting, etching, and printing methods described above are provided as examples, but other additional or alternative methods are also possible. For example, a so-called “hot foil” technique can be used, in which the heating element is fabricated from a resistance heating layer and then assembled / bonded onto a support. Even further techniques, such as die cutting, can also be used. Furthermore, two or more techniques can be combined (for example, conductivity can be added to the connection trace by adding conductive materials such as additional foil or printing material). Those skilled in the art will recognize many further techniques, or combinations of techniques, that can be used in embodiments of the principle described herein.

[0154] Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an operating method or algorithm, collectively referred to as reference number 424. The method or algorithm 424 may be carried out, for example, using one of the aerosol generators described herein. The method or algorithm 424 is initiated when a command to activate heating is received in an instance of operation 426. In response to the command to activate heating, a determination is made as to whether a heating element is available (operation 428). As described above, multiple heating elements may be provided. Operation 428 may include determining which heating element has been used and / or whether the corresponding available aerosol generating material has been exhausted.

[0155] If heating elements are available, the algorithm proceeds to operation 430, where available heating elements are used. As described above, heating elements may be individually controllable, for example, by supplying power to individual heating elements. Once operation 430 is complete, the algorithm terminates in operation 432. If operation 428 determines that no heating elements are available, for example, because all heating elements have been used, the algorithm terminates in operation 432. This may mean that the consumable parts used to perform algorithm 424 need to be replaced.

[0156] Figure 16 shows a resistance heating layer 340 formed according to one embodiment. The resistance heating layer 340 is cut using a laser cutter 408, but other methods such as chemical etching or printing may also be used as described above. Cutting the conductive layer 340 forms the heating element described herein.

[0157] In the embodiment shown in Figure 16, the path to be cut is a straight path extending along the length of the conductive layer 120.

[0158] Figure 17 shows another embodiment of the resistance heating layer 340. The resistance heating layer 340 may be formed using the laser cutter 408 described above, or some similar device or other method. The resistance heating layer 340 comprises a plurality of resistance heating elements 342, each resistance heating element 342 being a linear heating element including a conductive path extending along the length of the resistance heating layer 340. Each resistance heating element 342 extends from one of the first type of electrical contacts 360, e.g., a positive electrical connection, to one of the second type of electrical contacts 365, e.g., a negative electrical contact. In such embodiments, both types of electrical contacts are located at the same end of the resistance heating layer 340 and are located adjacent to each other. In this embodiment, the first and second types of electrical contacts are scattered, interlocked, or alternatingly arranged. In other words, each of the first type electrical contacts is positioned between one or two adjacent second type electrical contacts, and each of the second type electrical contacts is positioned between one or two adjacent second type electrical contacts. In such an arrangement, there is no common second type electrical contact as in some other embodiments; instead, each heating element has separate first and second type electrical contacts. In other embodiments, there may be a common second type electrical contact. In such embodiments, the common second type electrical contact may be located at an edge of the aerosol supply section that is different from the edge of the aerosol generator having the first type electrical contact.

[0159] In some embodiments, one or more resistance heating elements 342 can be considered to extend longitudinally back and forth along most of the aerosol generator. The term “most of” may be understood to mean more than 50%. For example, one or more of the resistance heating elements 342 may be considered to extend from a first type of electrical contact on a first edge of the resistance heating layer to a point adjacent to a second edge opposite the first edge. In this context, the term “adjacent to the second edge” may be understood to mean closer to the second edge than to the first edge. At the point, the resistance heating element bends or pivots. For example, bending may mean rotating or pivoting by an angle of about 180°. After the point, the resistance heating element recedes from the bend / pivot and / or point toward a second type of electrical contact. The second type of electrical contact is located on the same edge as the first type of electrical contact.

[0160] In this embodiment, the resistance heating layer 340 (and the aerosol generator including the resistance heating layer) is elongated along the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, each resistance heating element is spaced apart from or displaced from adjacent resistance heating elements in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0161] Advantageously, the longitudinal heating element arrangement described above makes it easier and / or faster to manufacture the resistance heating layer and / or the resulting aerosol generator. This is because the formation of the resistance heating elements can be carried out mainly along the longitudinal direction, which tends to be the direction in which the resistance heating layer primarily moves during manufacturing. Thus, the formation of the resistance heating elements can be carried out at least partially simultaneously with the movement of the resistance heating layer, for example, from one station to another. The movement of the resistance heating elements and / or forming devices tends to be reduced, thereby reducing the time and complexity of the manufacturing process.

[0162] Figure 18A shows another embodiment of the resistance heating layer 340. The resistance heating layer 340 may be formed using the laser cutter 408 described above, or some similar device or other method. The resistance heating layer 340 comprises a plurality of heating elements 342, each heating element 342 being a linear heating element with a conductive path extending along the length of the resistance heating layer 340. Each resistance heating element 342 extends from one of a first type of electrical contact 360, e.g., a positive electrical contact, to a second type of electrical contact 365, e.g., a negative electrical contact. In such embodiments, different types of electrical contacts are provided at both ends of the resistance heating layer 340, and a common second type of electrical contact is provided. In some embodiments, different types of electrical contacts are provided at the same end of the resistance heating layer 340, and a common second type of electrical contact is provided. Although a linear path is provided, the increase in electrical resistance may be provided by providing a convex path that functions as a helical path. In other words, the resistance heating element may be thought to have a meandering shape or path. It should be noted that the paths of any other embodiments described herein may also be uneven.

[0163] In some embodiments, the turning portion of the meandering path of a resistance heating element 342 (i.e., a turning portion that is lateral, and the lateral direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) is in the opposite direction to the turning portion of the meandering path of an adjacent resistance heating element 342 (which is also a turning portion that is lateral). In one example, there is a first resistance heating element and a second adjacent resistance heating element. Both the first and second resistance heating elements extend longitudinally in only one direction. Both the first and second resistance heating elements have meandering paths. The turning portion of the first resistance heating element is opposite to the turning portion of the second resistance heating element. Specifically, if the first resistance heating element turns away from the second resistance heating element, the second resistance heating element (adjacent to the first resistance heating element) also turns away from the first resistance heating element. Similarly, if the first resistance heating element turns toward the second resistance heating element, the second resistance heating element also turns toward the first resistance heating element.

[0164] In Figure 18B, the resistance heating layer comprises a first resistance heating element 370 and a second adjacent resistance heating element 372. Both the first and second resistance heating elements 370 and 372 extend longitudinally. The first resistance heating element 370 comprises a first leg portion 374 extending forward from a first end to a second end, and a second leg portion 376 (adjacent to the first leg portion 374) extending backward from a second end to a first end. The second resistance heating element 372 comprises a first leg portion 378 extending forward from a first end to a second end, and a second leg portion 380 (adjacent to the first leg portion 378) extending backward from a second end to a first end.

[0165] Each of the first and second legs has a meandering path. The turning portion in the meandering path of the first leg 374 of the first resistance heating element 370 is opposite to the turning portion in the meandering path of the second leg 376 of the first resistance heating element 370. Specifically, when the first leg 374 turns away from the second leg 376, the second leg 376 also turns away from the first leg 374. Similarly, when the first leg 374 turns toward the second leg 376, the second leg 376 also turns toward the first leg 374.

[0166] The turning portion in the meandering path of the first leg 378 of the second resistance heating element 372 is opposite to the turning portion in the meandering path of the second leg 380 of the second resistance heating element 372. Specifically, when the first leg 378 turns away from the second leg 380, the second leg 380 also turns away from the first leg 378. Similarly, when the first leg 378 turns toward the second leg 380, the second leg 380 also turns toward the first leg 378.

[0167] The pivot portion of the first leg 374 of the first resistance heating element 370 is in the same direction as the pivot portion of the first leg 378 of the second resistance heating element 372. The pivot portion of the second leg 376 of the first resistance heating element 372 is in the same direction as the pivot portion of the second leg 380 of the second resistance heating element 372.

[0168] Advantageously, this configuration of resistance heating elements and / or resistance heating layers enables a more efficient manufacturing process. Specifically, the formation of meandering paths can be carried out, for example, by lateral cuts extending across adjacent legs and / or adjacent resistance heating elements. For example, laser cutting may be performed with a single cut cutting through two legs or two resistance heating elements. In other words, the single cut forms two swirls, each of which swirls the respective legs away from each other. This enables a more efficient forming process because one lateral movement can form part of the meandering path of at least two adjacent legs.

[0169] Figure 18C shows another embodiment of the resistance heating layer 340. In Figure 18C, the resistance heating layer comprises a first resistance heating element 390 and a second adjacent resistance heating element 391. Both the first and second resistance heating elements 390, 391 extend along their longitudinal direction. The first and second resistance heating elements 390, 391 each have a meandering path with a swirling section. The swirling sections of the first and second resistance heating elements 390, 391 are rounded; that is, each swirling section has a radius. At each swirling section, the path turns substantially 180 degrees.

[0170] As can be seen from the figure, recesses are formed between the alternating swirls in each of the first and second resistance heating elements 390 and 391 due to the rounded nature of the swirls. Exemplary alternating swirls of the first resistance heating element are shown by 393a and 391b. "Alternating swirls" may mean the next swirl in the same direction, or "alternating" every other swirl. The alternating swirls may be adjacent to each other. An exemplary recess 394 is shown between the alternating swirls 393a and 393b.

[0171] Such a recess in the first resistance heating element 390 provides a space in which the swivel portion of the second resistance heating element can be partially received. As can be seen from the figure, an exemplary swivel portion 395 of the second resistance heating element 391 may be partially received within the recess 394.

[0172] Due to the repetitive nature of the rounded spiral portions in each of the first and second resistance heating elements 390 and 391, the first and second resistance heating elements may be nested as shown. The spiral portion of the first resistance heating element 390 is nested in the recess of the second resistance heating element 391, and similarly, the spiral portion of the second resistance heating element 391 is nested in the recess of the first resistance heating element 390.

[0173] Advantageously, this configuration of resistance heating elements may save overall space across multiple heater zones (e.g., reduce the required width) or maximize the heating area.

[0174] Although Figure 18C shows only the first and second resistance heating elements, it should be understood that there may be three or more resistance heating elements. For example, there may be a third resistance heating element. The third resistance heating element may be nested with the second resistance heating element, such that the second resistance heating element is nested with both the first and third resistance heating elements.

[0175] Figure 18D shows another embodiment of the resistance heating layer 340. In Figure 18D, the resistance heating layer comprises a first resistance heating element 396 and an adjacent second resistance heating element 397. In this embodiment, third and fourth resistance heating elements are shown. It should be understood that only the first and second resistance heating elements 363, 367 may be present. Alternatively, three or more resistance heating elements may be present. The first and second resistance heating elements 396, 397 each have meandering paths. The lateral path lengths of the first and second resistance heating elements 396, 397 may differ. For example, the length of lateral path 396a is different from that of lateral path 396b. Similarly, the lateral paths 397a, 397b are different. As can be seen from the figure, the first and second resistance heating elements 396, 397 may be arranged alternately due to their different path lengths. At certain lateral positions, it can be seen that the first and second resistance heating elements 396 and 397 are alternating in the longitudinal direction. In particular, in this embodiment, such alternation can be observed along the central longitudinal axis.

[0176] Figure 18E shows another embodiment of the resistance heating layer 340. This embodiment is similar to that shown in Figure 18D, in particular, the first and second resistance heating elements 396, 397 are arranged alternately as in Figure 18D. In this embodiment, the first and second resistance heating elements alternate laterally. As described above, only the first and second resistance heating elements may be present. Alternatively, three or more resistance heating elements may be present.

[0177] Advantageously, these alternating configurations may also save space across multiple heater zones (e.g., reduce the required width) or maximize the heating area.

[0178] Figure 18F shows an aerosol generator 304 of any of the embodiments described above. The aerosol generator 304 is twisted or wound to be tubular or straw-shaped. The aerosol generator is twisted to form a helical structure. Hereafter, we refer to first and second resistance heating elements as described in any of the embodiments described above. As mentioned above, there may be three or more resistance heating elements. It will be understood that the resistance heating elements face inward. As can be seen from Figure 18F, the first and second resistance heating elements (not shown) essentially follow a helical path resulting from the twisting of the aerosol generator 304.

[0179] Advantageously, such tubular articles have the advantage of being easier to wrap in cylindrical packaging paper compared to flat, non-twisted articles. Therefore, the manufacturing process can be made more efficient.

[0180] In each of the aerosol generators shown in Figures 18A to 18F, the first resistance heating element is displaced laterally from the second resistance heating element.

[0181] Figure 19 shows one embodiment of the resistance heating layer 340. The resistance heating layer 340 may be the same as described above, or it may have one or more of the features of the resistance heating layer described above. In this embodiment, the resistance heating layer 340 comprises a first resistance heating element 434, a second resistance heating element 436, a third resistance heating element 438, a fourth resistance heating element 440, and a fifth resistance heating element 442. In other embodiments, the resistance heating layer may comprise any number of resistance heating elements.

[0182] The resistive heating layer 420 further comprises a plurality of contact pads 444. Each of the contact pads 444 is configured to engage with a device electrical connector 230 connected to a power supply 220, thereby supplying power to the resistive heating element 342 to generate heat. The contact pads 444 are also electrically insulated from one another. The contact pads include a first end contact pad 446 located on the first edge of the resistive heating layer 340. The first edge extends along the longitudinal direction. In Figure 19, the first edge is shown as the left edge of the resistive heating layer 420. The first contact pad 446 is electrically connected only to the first type of electrical contact (+) of the first resistive heating element 434.

[0183] The contact pad 444 further comprises one or more intermediate contact pads, each of which is in electrical contact with a first type of electrical contact of one resistive heating element and a second type of electrical contact of an adjacent resistive heating element. In this embodiment, the one or more intermediate contact pads further comprises a second contact pad 448, a third contact pad 450, a fourth contact pad 452, and a fifth contact pad 454.

[0184] The second contact pad 448 is in electrical contact with the second type of electrical contact of the first resistive heating element 434. The second contact pad 448 is also in electrical contact with the first type of electrical contact of the second resistive heating element 436.

[0185] The third contact pad 450 is in electrical contact with the second type of electrical contact of the second resistive heating element 436. The third contact pad 450 is also in electrical contact with the first type of electrical contact of the third resistive heating element 438.

[0186] The fourth contact pad 452 is in electrical contact with the second type of electrical contact of the third resistive heating element 438. The fourth contact pad 452 is also in electrical contact with the first type of electrical contact of the fourth resistive heating element 440.

[0187] The fifth contact pad 454 is in electrical contact with the second type of electrical contact of the fourth resistive heating element 440. The fifth contact pad 454 is also in electrical contact with the first type of electrical contact of the fifth resistive heating element 442.

[0188] The contact pad further comprises a sixth end contact pad 456 positioned on the second edge of the resistance heating layer 340. The second edge extends along the longitudinal direction. The second edge is positioned on the opposite side of the first edge. In Figure 19, the second edge is shown as the right edge of the resistance heating layer 340. The sixth end contact pad 456 is electrically connected only to the second type of electrical contact (-) of the fifth resistance heating element 442.

[0189] In this configuration, each of the resistive heating elements can be operated individually. For example, each of the contact pads may be electrically connected to its respective connector electrical contact 232 (as described above). The controller may allow power to flow from one adjacent connector electrical contact 232 to the adjacent connector electrical contact 232. This means that power flows from one of the contact pads 444 to the adjacent contact pad 444, since there is only one resistive heating element between adjacent contact pads 444 and only one resistive heating element is operated. In this embodiment, the polarity of the power supplied to the intermediate contact pads (e.g., the second contact pad 448, the third contact pad 450, the fourth contact pad 452, and the fifth contact pad 454) changes depending on which resistive heating element should be operated. For example, to operate the first resistive heating element 434, the positive terminal must be connected to the first contact pad 446 and the negative terminal must be connected to the second contact pad 448. To activate the second resistive heating element 436, the positive terminal must now be connected to the second contact pad 448 and the negative terminal to the third contact pad 450. Thus, the polarity of the power supplied to the second contact pad 448 changes depending on which resistive heating element should be activated. This also applies to the other intermediate contact pads 450, 452, and 454. For example, the connector electrical contacts 232 can be controlled so that only the first and second contact pads 446 and 448 are electrically connected to the power supply 220. In this way, only the first resistive heating element 434 becomes part of the complete electrical circuit. Therefore, only the first resistive heating element 434 is activated to perform heating.

[0190] Similarly, the connector electrical contacts 232 can be controlled so that only the second and third contact pads 448, 450 are electrically connected to the power supply 220. In this way, only the second resistive heating element 436 is part of the complete electrical circuit. Therefore, only the second resistive heating element 436 operates to perform heating.

[0191] Similarly, the connector electrical contacts 232 can be controlled so that only the third and fourth contact pads 450, 452 are electrically connected to the power supply 220. In this way, only the third resistive heating element 438 is part of the complete electrical circuit. Therefore, only the third resistive heating element 438 is operated to perform heating.

[0192] Similarly, the connector electrical contacts 232 can be controlled so that only the third and fourth contact pads 452, 454 are electrically connected to the power supply 220. In this way, only the fourth resistive heating element 440 is part of the complete electrical circuit. Therefore, only the fourth resistive heating element 440 is operated to perform heating.

[0193] Similarly, the connector electrical contacts 232 can be controlled so that only the third and fourth contact pads 454, 456 are electrically connected to the power supply 220. In this way, only the fifth resistive heating element 442 is part of the complete electrical circuit. Therefore, only the fifth resistive heating element 442 is operated to perform heating.

[0194] Because the intermediate resistive heating elements share contact pads, the number of contact pads tends to be reduced. Advantageously, this tends to reduce the number of electrical contacts needed to supply power while maintaining control over the individual operation of each resistive heating element.

[0195] Figure 20 shows another resistance heating layer 340. The resistance heating layer 340 may be the same as the one described above, or it may have one or more of the features of the resistance heating layer 340 described above. In this embodiment, the resistance heating layer 340 comprises a first resistance heating element 446, a second resistance heating element 448, a third resistance heating element 450, a fourth resistance heating element 452, and a fifth resistance heating element 456. In other embodiments, the resistance heating layer may comprise any number of resistance heating elements.

[0196] The resistive heating layer 340 further comprises a plurality of contact pads 456. Each of the contact pads 456 is configured to engage with a device electrical connector 230 connected to a power supply 220, thereby supplying power to the resistive heating element 342 to generate heat. The contact pads 456 are also electrically insulated from one another. The contact pads include a first end contact pad 458 located on the first edge of the resistive heating layer 340. The first edge extends along the longitudinal direction. The first end contact pad 458 is electrically connected only to the first type of electrical contact (+) of the first resistive heating element 340.

[0197] The contact pads further comprise one or more intermediate contact pads, each electrically connected to the same type of electrical contacts from two adjacent resistive heating elements 342. In this embodiment, the plurality of contact pads 456 further comprises a second contact pad 460, a third contact pad 462, a fourth contact pad 464, and a fifth contact pad 466.

[0198] The second contact pad 460 is in electrical contact with the second type of electrical contact of the first resistive heating element 446. The second contact pad 460 is also in electrical contact with the second type of electrical contact of the second resistive heating element 448.

[0199] The third contact pad 462 is in electrical contact with the first type of electrical contact of the second resistive heating element 448. The third contact pad 462 is also in electrical contact with the first type of electrical contact of the third resistive heating element 450.

[0200] The fourth contact pad 464 is in electrical contact with the second type of electrical contact of the third resistive heating element 450. The fourth contact pad 464 is also in electrical contact with the second type of electrical contact of the fourth resistive heating element 452.

[0201] The fifth contact pad 466 is in electrical contact with the first type of electrical contact of the fourth resistive heating element 452. The fifth contact pad 466 is also in electrical contact with the first type of electrical contact of the fifth resistive heating element 454.

[0202] The contact pad further comprises a sixth end contact pad 468 positioned at the second edge of the resistance heating layer 340. The second edge of the resistance heating layer 340 extends along the longitudinal direction of the resistance heating layer 340. The second edge is positioned on the opposite side of the first edge. The sixth end contact pad 468 is electrically connected only to the second type of electrical contact (-) of the fifth resistance heating element 454.

[0203] In this configuration, each of the resistive heating elements can be operated individually. For example, each of the contact pads may be electrically connected to its respective connector electrical contact 232 (as described above). The controller may allow power to flow from one adjacent connector electrical contact 232 to the adjacent connector electrical contact 232. This means that power flows from one contact pad 456 to the adjacent contact pad 456, since there is only one resistive heating element between adjacent contact pads 456 and only one resistive heating element is operated. Furthermore, each contact pad contacts only one type of electrical contact (positive or negative). Therefore, the need to switch polarity to operate different resistive heating elements individually tends to be avoided.

[0204] For example, the connector electrical contacts 232 can be controlled so that only the first and second contact pads 458 and 460 are electrically connected to the power supply 220. In this way, only the first resistive heating element 446 is part of the complete electrical circuit. Therefore, only the first resistive heating element 446 is operated to perform heating.

[0205] Similarly, the connector electrical contacts 232 can be controlled so that only the second and third contact pads 458, 460 are electrically connected to the power supply 220. In this way, only the second resistive heating element 448 is part of the complete electrical circuit. Therefore, only the second resistive heating element 448 operates to perform heating.

[0206] Similarly, the connector electrical contacts 232 can be controlled so that only the third and fourth contact pads 460, 462 are electrically connected to the power supply 220. In this way, only the third resistive heating element 450 is part of the complete electrical circuit. Therefore, only the third resistive heating element 450 is operated to perform heating.

[0207] Similarly, the connector electrical contacts 232 can be controlled so that only the third and fourth contact pads 462, 464 are electrically connected to the power supply 220. In this way, only the fourth resistive heating element 452 is part of the complete electrical circuit. Therefore, only the fourth resistive heating element 452 is activated to perform heating.

[0208] Similarly, the connector electrical contacts 232 can be controlled so that only the third and fourth contact pads 464, 466 are electrically connected to the power supply 220. In this way, only the fifth resistive heating element 454 is part of the complete electrical circuit. Therefore, only the fifth resistive heating element 454 is operated to perform heating.

[0209] Because intermediate resistive heating elements share contact pads, the number of contact pads tends to be reduced. Advantageously, this tends to reduce the number of electrical contacts required to supply power while maintaining control over the individual operation of each resistive heating element. The control system for individual operations tends to be simplified because there is no need to switch polarity to operate different resistive heating elements.

[0210] Figure 21 shows a method 470 for manufacturing an aerosol generator. Method 470 includes a step 472 of moving a layer of conductive material along its longitudinal direction. This may include a step of rolling a sheet of aluminum backcard material between two rollers. Method 474 further includes a step of removing conductive material from the layer of conductive material to form a resistance heating layer, a plurality of first type electrical contacts, and at least one second type electrical contact. The resistance heating layer comprises a first resistance heating element configured to generate heat and a second resistance heating element configured to generate heat. The first resistance heating element is at least part of a conductive path between one of the first type electrical contacts and the second type electrical contact or one of the second type electrical contacts. The second resistance heating element is at least part of a conductive path between another one of the first type electrical contacts and the second type electrical contact or another one of the second type electrical contacts. The first and second resistance heating elements are displaced transversely perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the forming step may include the removal of the conductive material by etching (chemically or by laser as described above). Additionally or alternatively, the forming step may include cutting, such as die-cutting, or printing with resistive ink. In this embodiment, the removal of the conductive material is performed at least partially concurrently with the movement of the layer of conductive material. In other words, as a sheet of aluminum backcard material is rolled into place by rollers, a laser may simultaneously etch the material, thereby reducing the time and resources required to manufacture such an aerosol generator.

[0211] In some embodiments of the aerosol generators and different arrangements of articles described above, the aerosol-generating material is formed in a configuration other than as an aerosol-generating layer. In embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is in the form of an aerosol-generating segment. An aerosol-generating segment generally comprises a solid material. Such a solid material may be shredded tobacco. For example, an aerosol-generating material arranged as an aerosol-generating segment may comprise a plurality of individual aerosol-generating material pieces. The aerosol-generating material may also comprise individual tobacco material pieces. In embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a plurality of strips, beads, or pellets. In embodiments, the aerosol-generating segment is a plug of material.

[0212] In the embodiments, the aerosol-generating segment comprises a material body. The aerosol-generating material is non-liquid. In such embodiments, the material body comprises a rod of aerosol-generating material, for example, a cigarette rod. For example, the material body may comprise shredded cigarette material. The material body may be formed into a rod. In some embodiments, the material body comprises cut rag cigarettes formed into a rod. The aerosol-generating material may comprise cigarette material. The aerosol-generating material may comprise extruded cigarettes. The aerosol-generating material may comprise reconstituted cigarettes.

[0213] The aerosol-generating material, formed as a solid material, may contain nicotine. The aerosol-generating material may contain tobacco, consist of tobacco, or be essentially composed of tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material does not contain tobacco.

[0214] In any of the embodiments described above, heating the article provides a relatively constant release of volatile compounds into an inhalable medium. In one embodiment described above, the aerosol-generating segment is a plug of material. The article may include a mouthpiece end. A tubular element may be positioned between the aerosol-generating material and the mouthpiece end. The article may include a ventilation area at the mouthpiece end. The mouthpiece end may define a mouthpiece configured to be positioned between the user's lips.

[0215] In any embodiment of the article described above, a resistance heating element or each resistance heating element is configured to heat substantially the entire aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating segment in the embodiment is at least substantially cylindrical. In the embodiment, the aerosol-generating segment is at least partially enclosed by a resistance heating layer. In the embodiment, the resistance heating element extends within the aerosol-generating segment. The resistance heating element may extend around the aerosol-generating segment. In the embodiment, the resistance heating element surrounds the aerosol-generating segment. In some configurations, at least a portion of the flow path through the article passes through the aerosol-generating segment. The aerosol-generating segment may define a portion of the air path. In the embodiment, a first type of electrical contact and a second type of electrical contact are exposed from the aerosol-generating segment.

[0216] The aerosol-generating material may comprise the tobacco material described herein, which includes a tobacco component. In the tobacco material described herein, the tobacco component may include paper-reconstructed tobacco. The tobacco component may also include loose-leaf tobacco, extruded tobacco, and / or band-cast tobacco. The tobacco material may be provided in the form of shredded rag tobacco. Shredded rag tobacco can be formed from a mixture of forms of tobacco material, for example, a mixture of one or more of paper-reconstructed tobacco, loose-leaf tobacco, extruded tobacco, and band-cast tobacco. In embodiments, the tobacco material comprises paper-reconstructed tobacco, or a mixture of paper-reconstructed tobacco and loose-leaf tobacco. In the tobacco material described herein, the tobacco material may include a filler component. The filler component is generally a component that does not contain a non-tobacco component, i.e., a raw material derived from tobacco. The filler component may be a non-tobacco fiber such as wood fiber or pulp or wheat fiber. The filler component may also be an inorganic material such as chalk, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, or magnesium carbonate. The filler component may also be a non-tobacco cast material or a non-tobacco extruded material. The filler component may be present in an amount of 0 to 20% by weight of the tobacco material, or in an amount of 1 to 10% by weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the filler component is absent. In the tobacco material described herein, the tobacco material contains an aerosol-forming agent material. In this context, “aerosol-forming agent material” is an agent that promotes aerosol formation. The aerosol-forming agent material may promote aerosol formation by promoting initial vaporization and / or condensation of gas into inhalable solid and / or liquid aerosols. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming agent material may improve the delivery of flavoring agents from the aerosol-forming material. In general, any suitable aerosol-forming agent material or agent, including those described herein, may be included in the aerosol-forming material of the present invention.

[0217] Paper-reconstructed tobacco refers to tobacco material formed by a process in which tobacco raw materials are extracted with a solvent to obtain an extract of soluble substances and a residue containing fibrous material, and then the extract (usually after concentration and optionally after further processing) is recombined with fibrous material from the residue (usually after purification of the fibrous material and optionally with the addition of some non-tobacco fibers) by depositing the extract onto the fibrous material. The recombination process is similar to the process of manufacturing paper. The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or to equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be utilized or modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the present invention may preferably include, consist of, or essentially consist of, appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol generator for an aerosol supply device, wherein the aerosol generator is elongated along its longitudinal direction, and the aerosol generator is Aerosol generating materials and A resistance heating layer, wherein the resistance heating layer is A first resistance heating element configured to generate an aerosol by heating at least a first portion of the aerosol generating material, A second resistance heating element configured to heat at least a second portion of the aerosol generating material to generate another aerosol, and Equipped with, The aerosol generating material is located on the resistance heating layer, and the resistance heating layer is located on the resistance heating layer. At least one first type of electrical contact, At least one second type of electrical contact and Equipped with, The first resistive heating element is at least a portion of the conductive path between one of the first type electrical contacts and the second type electrical contact or one of the second type electrical contacts. The second resistive heating element is at least part of a conductive path between another of the first type electrical contacts and the second type electrical contact or another of the second type electrical contacts. An aerosol generator in which the first resistance heating element is displaced from the second resistance heating element in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

2. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first types of electrical contacts is located at the longitudinal end of the aerosol generator.

3. The aerosol generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the second type of electrical contacts is located at the longitudinal end of the aerosol generator.

4. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the first and second resistance heating elements has a meandering shape.

5. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second resistance heating elements are at least partially nested within each other.

6. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first resistance heating element and the second resistance heating element are arranged alternately with respect to each other.

7. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the aerosol generator is tubular.

8. The aerosol generator according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second resistance heating elements follows a helical path.

9. An aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising an aerosol generating layer containing the aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating layer is located on the resistance heating layer.

10. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first and second resistance heating elements are separated from each other, and the individual operation of each of the first and second resistance heating elements is enabled.

11. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first and second resistance heating elements are directly adjacent to each other.

12. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one second type of electrical contact is a single second type of electrical contact common to both the first and second resistance heating elements.

13. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one second type of electrical contact is a plurality of the second type of electrical contacts.

14. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first and / or second resistance heating element extends in the longitudinal direction along the entire length of the aerosol generating material.

15. The system further comprises multiple contact pads, and the multiple contact pads are A first end contact pad electrically coupled to the first type of electrical contact, with its first longitudinal edge being closer to the lateral direction than any of the other first type electrical contacts, One or more intermediate contact pads, each of which is One of the first and second types of electrical contacts of the resistance heating element, One of the first and second types of electrical contacts of an adjacent resistive heating element and One or more intermediate contact pads electrically coupled to both, A second end contact pad electrically coupled to the second type of electrical contact, with the second longitudinal edge being closer to the lateral direction than any of the other second type of electrical contacts, and an aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising:

16. The aerosol generator according to claim 15, wherein each of the one or more intermediate contact pads is electrically coupled to both a first type of electrical contact of one of the resistive heating elements and a second type of electrical contact of an adjacent resistive heating element.

17. The aerosol generator according to claim 15, wherein each of the one or more intermediate contact pads is electrically coupled to both a first type electrical contact of one of the resistive heating elements and a first type electrical contact of an adjacent resistive heating element.

18. Each of the second type of electrical contacts is positioned between two first type electrical contacts, and / or The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein each of the first type of electrical contacts is positioned between two second type of electrical contacts.

19. Each of the second type of electrical contacts is positioned between another second type of electrical contact and a first type of electrical contact, and / or The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein each of the first type of electrical contacts is positioned between another first type of electrical contact and a second type of electrical contact.

20. An article comprising an aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 19, an aerosol supply device configured to receive the article and generate an aerosol using the article, An aerosol generation system equipped with the following features.

21. An aerosol generator for an aerosol supply device, wherein the aerosol generator is elongated along its longitudinal direction, and the aerosol generator is Aerosol generating materials and A resistance heating layer comprising a resistance heating element configured to generate an aerosol by heating at least a portion of the aerosol generating material, The aerosol generating material is located on the resistance heating layer, and the resistance heating layer is located on the resistance heating layer. The first type of electrical contact, The second type of electrical contact and Equipped with, The resistance heating element is at least a part of the conductive path between the first type of electrical contact and the second type of electrical contact. An aerosol generator in which the resistance heating element extends in the longitudinal direction along the entire length of the heating section of the aerosol generator.

22. An aerosol generator for an aerosol supply device, wherein the aerosol generator is elongated along its longitudinal direction, and the aerosol generator is Aerosol generating materials and A resistance heating layer comprising a resistance heating element configured to generate an aerosol by heating at least a portion of the aerosol generating material, The aerosol generating material is located on the resistance heating layer, and the resistance heating layer is located on the resistance heating layer. The first type of electrical contact, The second type of electrical contact and Equipped with, The resistance heating element is at least a part of the conductive path between the first type of electrical contact and the second type of electrical contact. An aerosol generator in which the conductive path extends forward and backward along the longitudinal direction.

23. A method for manufacturing an aerosol generator for an aerosol supply device, wherein the aerosol generator is elongated along its longitudinal direction, and the method is A step of moving the resistance heating layer along the longitudinal direction, On the aforementioned resistance heating layer, A first resistance heating element configured to generate heat, A second resistive heating element configured to generate heat, Multiple first type electrical contacts and At least one second type of electrical contact and The step of forming and Includes, The first resistive heating element is at least a portion of the conductive path between one of the first type electrical contacts and the second type electrical contact or one of the second type electrical contacts. The second resistive heating element is at least part of a conductive path between another of the first type electrical contacts and the second type electrical contact or another of the second type electrical contacts. A method wherein the first and second resistance heating elements are displaced in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the forming step is performed at least partially simultaneously with the moving step.

Images