Aerosol-generating article with heat dissipator

Abstract

To provide a heated aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device, and to an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device.SOLUTION: There is provided a heated aerosol-generating article (100) for use with an electrically operated aerosol-generating device (200), the article having a mouth end (170) and a distal end (160) upstream from the mouth end. The article includes a heat diffuser (110) at the distal end of the article, and an aerosol-forming substrate (126) downstream of the heat diffuser. The heat diffuser comprises a non-combustible porous body (112) for absorbing heat from an electric heating element such that, in use, air drawn through the aerosol-generating article from the distal end to the mouth end is heated by the heat absorbed in the porous body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to heated aerosol-generating articles for use in aerosol-generating devices, and to aerosol-generating systems including the aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating devices. [Background technology]

[0002] One type of aerosol generating system is an electrically operated aerosol generating system. Known handheld electrically operated aerosol generating systems generally include an aerosol generating device that includes a battery, control electronics, and an electric heater for heating an aerosol-generating article specifically designed for use with the aerosol generating device. In some cases, the aerosol-generating article includes an aerosol-forming substrate such as a tobacco rod or tobacco plug, and the heater housed within the aerosol-generating device is inserted into or around the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the aerosol-generating device.

[0003] In existing systems, it can be difficult to uniformly heat an aerosol-forming substrate using an electric heater. This can result in some areas of the aerosol-forming substrate being overheated and some areas of the aerosol-forming substrate being underheated, both of which can make it difficult to maintain consistent aerosol properties. This can be a particular problem with aerosol-generating articles in which the aerosol-forming substrate is a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, since depletion of the aerosol-forming substrate can cause one or more portions of the aerosol-generating article to overheat.

[0004] It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that facilitates uniform heating of the aerosol-forming substrate. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heated aerosol-generating article for use in an electrically operated aerosol-generating device, the article having a mouth end and a distal end upstream from the mouth end, the article comprising a heat spreader at the distal end of the article and an aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the heat spreader, the heat spreader comprising a non-combustible porous body for absorbing heat from an electric heating element, so that in use, air drawn through the aerosol-generating article from the distal end to the mouth end is heated by the heat absorbed in the porous body.

[0006] Advantageously, during use, the heat dissipator absorbs heat from the heating element and transfers it to air drawn through the heat dissipator, allowing the air to heat the aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the heat dissipator primarily by convection. This may provide more uniform heating of the aerosol-forming substrate compared to existing systems in which the aerosol-forming substrate is heated primarily by conduction from the heating element. For example, it may reduce or prevent the occurrence of localized high temperature areas or "hot spots" in the aerosol-forming substrate that could otherwise be caused by conductive heating. This may be particularly beneficial when the aerosol-forming substrate is a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, as the heat dissipator may help prevent overheating that could otherwise result from depletion of the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, when the aerosol-forming substrate includes a liquid aerosol-forming substrate held in a liquid-holding medium, the heat dissipator may help reduce or prevent overheating of the aerosol-forming substrate or the liquid-holding medium, even when it is dry.

[0007] Furthermore, by providing the heat dissipator as part of the aerosol-generating article, the heat dissipator can be easily disposed of with the aerosol-generating article, which can be advantageous over a system in which the heat dissipator is separate from the aerosol-generating article, as the heat dissipator is replaced with a new one each time the article is replaced to prevent overuse.

[0008] As used herein, the term "heated aerosol-generating article" means an article that includes an aerosol-generating substrate that, when heated, releases volatile compounds that can form an aerosol.

[0009] The aerosol-generating article is preferably configured to be removably coupled to an aerosol-generating device. The article can be disposable or reusable.

[0010] As used herein, the term "porous" is intended to encompass not only inherently porous materials, but also substantially non-porous materials that are made porous or permeable through the provision of multiple holes. A porous body can be formed from a plug of porous material, such as a ceramic or metal foam. Alternatively, a porous body can be formed from multiple solid elements with multiple openings provided therebetween. For example, a porous body may comprise a bundle of interconnected filament fibers or a lattice. A porous material must have pores of sufficient size so that air can be drawn through the porous body through the pores. For example, the pores in a porous body may have an average transverse dimension of less than about 3.0 mm, more preferably less than about 1.0 mm, and most preferably less than about 0.5 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the pores may have an average transverse dimension of greater than about 0.01 mm. For example, the pores may have an average cross-sectional dimension that is from about 0.01 mm to about 3.0 mm, more preferably from about 0.01 mm to about 1.0 mm, and most preferably from about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm.

[0011] The term "void" as used herein relates to regions of a porous article that are absent of material. For example, a cross-sectional area of ​​a porous body comprises portions of material that form the body and portions that are voids between portions of material.

[0012] The average cross-sectional dimension of the pores is calculated by taking the average of the smallest cross-sectional dimension of each of the pores. The pore size may be substantially constant along the length of the porous body. Alternatively, the pore size may vary along the length of the porous body.

[0013] As used herein, the term "transverse dimension" means the dimension of the porous body or aerosol-generating article in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0014] The porosity distribution of the porous body may be substantially uniform. That is, the pores within the porous body may be substantially evenly distributed across the cross-sectional area of ​​the porous body. The porosity distribution may vary across the cross-sectional area of ​​the porous body. That is, the local porosity in one or more sub-areas of the cross-sectional area may be greater than the local porosity in one or more other sub-areas of the cross-sectional area. For example, the local porosity in one or more sub-areas of the cross-sectional area may be 5% to 80% greater than the local porosity in one or more other sub-areas of the cross-sectional area. This may allow air flow through the porous body.

[0015] The term "cross-sectional area," as used herein, relates to the area of ​​a porous body in a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the porous body. For example, the porous body can be a rod, and the cross-sectional area can be a cross-section of the rod at any length along the rod, or the cross-sectional area can be an end face of the rod.

[0016] The term "porosity" as used herein means the volume fraction of void space within a porous article. The term "local porosity" as used herein means the fraction of voids within a subarea of ​​a porous body.

[0017] By varying the porosity distribution, the airflow through the porous body can be varied as desired, for example to provide improved aerosol properties, for example, the porosity distribution can be varied according to the airflow characteristics of the aerosol generating system in which the heat dissipator is intended to be used, or the temperature profile of the heating element.

[0018] In some embodiments, the local porosity can be lower toward the central portion of the porous body. This arrangement reduces airflow through the central portion of the porous body relative to the periphery of the porous body. This may be advantageous depending on the temperature profile of the heating element or the airflow characteristics of the aerosol generation system in which the heat spreader is intended to be used. For example, this arrangement may be particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with an internal heating element that is positioned in use relative to the central portion of the heat spreader, where it may allow for increased heat transfer from the heating element to the porous body.

[0019] In other examples, the local porosity can be greater toward the central portion of the porous body. This arrangement can allow for increased airflow through the center of the porous body and may be advantageous depending on the temperature profile of the heating element or the airflow characteristics of the aerosol generation system in which the heat spreader is intended to be used. For example, this arrangement can be particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with an external heating element that is positioned around the periphery of the heat spreader in use, where it can allow for increased heat transfer from the heating element to the porous body.

[0020] The porous body may be formed from a heat storage material.

[0021] As used herein, the term "heat storage material" refers to a material that has a high heat capacity. This configuration allows the porous body to function as a heat reservoir, enabling the heat dissipator to absorb and store heat from a heating element and then release the heat over a period of time to the aerosol-forming substrate via air drawn through the porous body.

[0022] If the porous body is formed from a heat storage material, it is preferred that the porous body be formed from a material that has a specific heat capacity of at least 0.5 J / gK, preferably at least 0.7 J / gK, more preferably at least 0.8 J / gK at 25 degrees Celsius and constant pressure. Because the specific heat capacity of a material is a measure of the material's ability to store substantial thermal energy, forming the porous body from a material with a high heat capacity may enable the porous body to provide a large amount of heat storage for heating air drawn through a heat dissipator without substantially increasing the weight of the aerosol-generating system with which the heat dissipator is intended to be used.

[0023] The porous body may be formed from any suitable material(s). When the porous body is formed from a heat storage material, suitable materials include, but are not limited to, glass fiber, glass mat, ceramic, silica, alumina, carbon, and minerals, or any combination thereof.

[0024] The heat storage material may be thermally insulating. As used herein, the term "thermal insulating" refers to a material having a thermal conductivity of less than 100 W / mK, preferably less than 40 W / mK, or less than 10 W / mK at 23 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity. This may result in a heat dissipator with higher thermal inertia than a thermally conductive heat dissipator, which reduces the temperature change of the air drawn through the porous body caused by temperature fluctuations of the heating element. This may result in more consistent aerosol properties.

[0025] The porous body may be thermally conductive. As used herein, the term "thermally conductive" refers to a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W / mK, preferably at least 40 W / mK, and more preferably at least 100 W / mK at 23 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity. When the porous body is thermally conductive, it is preferred that the porous body be formed from a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 40 W / mK, preferably at least 100 W / mK, more preferably at least 150 W / mK, and most preferably at least 200 W / mK at 23 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity.

[0026] Advantageously, this can reduce the thermal inertia of the heat dissipator, for example, when the heating element is heated according to time-varying heating conditions, while still being able to uniformly heat the air drawn through the porous body, allowing the temperature of the heat dissipator to quickly adjust to changes in the temperature of the heating element. Furthermore, by having a high thermal conductivity, the thermal resistance through the porous body is low. This can allow the temperature of parts of the porous body that are far from the heating element in use to be as high as parts of the porous body that are close to the heating element in use. This can provide particularly efficient heating of the air drawn through the porous body.

[0027] If the porous body is thermally conductive, it is preferred that the porous body be formed from a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 40 W / mK, preferably at least 100 W / mK, more preferably at least 150 W / mK, and most preferably at least 200 W / mK at 23 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity.

[0028] If the porous body is thermally conductive, suitable thermally conductive materials include, but are not limited to, aluminum, copper, zinc, steel, silver, thermally conductive polymers, or any combination or alloy thereof.

[0029] In some embodiments, the porous body is formed from a heat storage material that is also thermally conductive, such as aluminum.

[0030] Because the porous body has a high surface area to volume ratio, the heat spreader may allow for rapid and efficient heating of the air drawn through the porous body, which may allow for uniform heating of the air drawn through the porous body and, consequently, more uniform heating of the aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the heat spreader.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the porous body has a surface area to volume ratio of at least 20:1, preferably at least 100:1, and more preferably at least 500:1. Advantageously, this can provide a compact heat dissipator while allowing for particularly efficient transfer of thermal energy from the heating element to the air drawn through the porous body. This can result in rapid and uniform heating of the air drawn through the porous body, and consequently, more uniform heating of the aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the heat dissipator, compared to porous bodies with lower surface area to volume ratios.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the porous body has a high specific surface area, which is a measure of the total surface area of ​​the body per unit of mass. Advantageously, this can provide a low mass heat dissipator with a large surface area for efficient transfer of thermal energy from the heating element to the air drawn through the porous body. For example, the porous body may have a specific surface area of ​​at least 0.01 m per gram. 2 , preferably at least 0.05 m per gram 2 , more preferably at least 0.1 m per gram 2 , most preferably at least 0.5 m per gram 2 The specific surface area of ​​the powder may be 0.05 to 0.15.

[0033] The porous body preferably has an open-cell porosity of about 60% to about 90% of the void volume relative to the material volume.

[0034] In some embodiments, the porous body has a low resistance to draw. That is, the porous body may provide low resistance to the passage of air through the heat dissipator. In such examples, the porous body does not substantially affect the resistance to draw of the aerosol generating system in which the heat dissipator is intended to be used. In some embodiments, the resistance to draw (RTD) of the porous body is about 10-130 mm HO, preferably about 40-100 mm HO. The RTD of a sample refers to the static pressure difference between the two ends of the sample when traversed by a flow of air under steady conditions with a volumetric flow rate of 17.5 milliliters / second at the output end. The RTD of a sample can be measured with all ventilation shut off using the method described in ISO standard 6565:2002.

[0035] The porous body may be configured to be penetrated by an electric heating element that forms part of the aerosol generating device when the heat dissipator is coupled to the aerosol generating device. The term "penetrated" is used to mean that the heating element extends at least partially within the porous body. In this manner, the heating element may be encased in the porous body. This configuration brings the heating element into close proximity or contact with the porous body through the penetration. This may result in increased heat transfer between the heating element and the porous body to air drawn through the porous body, compared to embodiments in which the porous body is not penetrated by the heating element.

[0036] The heating element may be in the form of a needle, pin, rod, or blade that may be conveniently inserted into a heat dissipator. Although an aerosol generating device may comprise multiple heating elements, in this description, reference to a heating element means one or more heating elements.

[0037] The porous body may define a recess or hole for receiving an electric heating element when the heat spreader is coupled to the aerosol generating device.

[0038] In any of the above embodiments, the porous body can be rigid.

[0039] The porous body may be penetrable by a heating element when the heat dissipator is coupled to the aerosol generating device. For example, the porous body may comprise a foam, such as a polymeric, metallic, or ceramic foam, that is penetrable by a heating element.

[0040] In any of the above embodiments, the electric heating element may be provided as part of the aerosol-generating device for which the heat dissipator is intended to be used, or as part of the aerosol-generating article, for example, as part of the heat dissipator.

[0041] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may include an electric heating element thermally coupled to the porous body. In such embodiments, the porous body is positioned to absorb heat from the heating element and transfer the heat to air drawn through the porous body. This configuration allows the heating element to be easily replaced by replacing the article.

[0042] The electric heating element may comprise one or more external heating elements, one or more internal heating elements, or one or more external and one or more internal heating elements. As used herein, the term "external heating element" refers to a heating element that is positioned external to the article in use. As used herein, the term "internal heating element" refers to a heating element that is positioned at least partially within the article in use.

[0043] The one or more external heating elements may include, for example, an array of external heating elements arranged around the heat spreader on the outer surface of the porous body. In certain examples, the external heating element extends along the longitudinal direction of the article. This configuration allows the heating element to extend along the same direction as the article is inserted into and removed from the cavity of the aerosol generating device. This may reduce interference between the heating element and the aerosol generating device compared to devices in which the heating element is not aligned with the length of the article. In some embodiments, the external heating elements extend along the longitudinal direction of the article and are spaced apart circumferentially. When the heating element includes one or more internal heating elements, the one or more internal heating elements may include any suitable number of heating elements. For example, the heating element may include a single internal heating element. The single internal heating element may extend along the longitudinal direction of the heat spreader.

[0044] Where the electric heating element forms part of the heat dissipator, the heat dissipator may further comprise one or more electrical contacts by which the electric heating element can be connected to a power source (e.g., a power source within the aerosol generating device).

[0045] The electrical heating element may be an electrically resistive heating element.

[0046] The electric heating element may comprise a susceptor in thermal contact with the porous body. The electric heating element may be a susceptor forming part of a heat spreader. The susceptor is preferably embedded in the porous body.

[0047] The term "susceptor," as used herein, means a material capable of converting electromagnetic energy into heat. When placed in a varying electromagnetic field, eddy currents induced within the susceptor cause the susceptor to heat. Because the susceptor is in thermal contact with the heat spreader, the heat spreader is heated by the susceptor.

[0048] In such embodiments, the article is designed to interface with an electrically operated aerosol generator that includes an induction heating source. The induction heating source, or inductor, generates a varying electromagnetic field for heating a susceptor positioned within the varying electromagnetic field. In use, the article interfaces with the aerosol generator such that the susceptor is positioned within the varying electromagnetic field generated by the inductor.

[0049] The susceptor may be in the form of a pin, rod, or blade. The susceptor preferably has a length of 5 mm to 15 mm, e.g., 6 mm to 12 mm, or 8 mm to 10 mm. The susceptor preferably has a width of 1 mm to 5 mm and a thickness of 0.01 mm to 2 mm, e.g., 0.5 mm to 2 mm. Preferred embodiments of the susceptor may have a thickness of 10 micrometers to 500 micrometers, more preferably 10 to 100 micrometers. If the susceptor has a constant cross-section (e.g., a circular cross-section), the preferred width or diameter may be 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0050] The susceptor can be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate. Preferred susceptors include metal or carbon. Preferred susceptors can include ferromagnetic materials, such as ferritic iron, or ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel. Suitable susceptors can be or include aluminum. Preferred susceptors can be formed from 400 series stainless steel, such as grade 410, grade 420, or grade 430 stainless steel. Different materials dissipate different amounts of energy when placed in an electromagnetic field having similar values ​​of frequency and field strength. Thus, any of the susceptor parameters, such as material type, length, width, and thickness, can be varied to provide a desired power distribution within a known electromagnetic field.

[0051] Preferred susceptors are capable of being heated to temperatures in excess of 250° C. Suitable susceptors may comprise a non-metallic core having disposed thereon a metallic layer, for example a metallic band formed on the surface of the ceramic core.

[0052] The susceptor may have a protective outer layer, such as a protective ceramic or glass layer, that encapsulates the susceptor. The susceptor may include a protective coating formed of glass, ceramic, or an inert metal formed over the core of the susceptor.

[0053] The heat spreader may include a single susceptor. Alternatively, the heat spreader may comprise two or more susceptors.

[0054] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material that includes volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material and a non-tobacco-containing material.

[0055] The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise an aerosol former that promotes the formation of a dense, stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0056] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material that contains volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material.

[0057] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol former. As used herein, the term "aerosol former" is used to describe any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that promotes the formation of an aerosol upon use. Suitable aerosol formers are preferably substantially resistant to thermal decomposition at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol. Suitable aerosol formers include, but are not limited to, polyhydric alcohols (such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerin), esters of polyhydric alcohols (such as glycerol mono-, di-, or triacetate), and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-, or polycarboxylic acids (such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate). Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof (e.g., propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and most preferably glycerin). The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a single aerosol former. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a combination of two or more aerosol formers. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain more than 5 percent aerosol formers on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain between approximately 5 percent and approximately 30 percent aerosol formers on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain approximately 20 percent aerosol formers on a dry weight basis.

[0058] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a nicotine solution. Preferably, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate comprises a tobacco-containing material comprising volatile tobacco flavour compounds that are released from the liquid upon heating. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, and natural or artificial flavours. Preferably, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate further comprises an aerosol former.

[0059] As used herein, the term "liquid aerosol-forming substrate" refers to an aerosol-forming substrate that is in a liquid state rather than in a solid form. A liquid aerosol-forming substrate can be at least partially absorbed by a liquid carrying medium. Liquid aerosol-forming substrates include aerosol-forming substrates in the form of a gel.

[0060] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article comprises a liquid aerosol-forming substrate and a liquid holding medium for holding the liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0061] As used herein, the term "liquid-holding medium" refers to a component capable of releasably holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The liquid-holding medium may be or may include a porous or fibrous material that will come into contact with the liquid aerosol-forming substrate and absorbs or otherwise holds the liquid aerosol-forming substrate while allowing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate to be released by evaporation.

[0062] The liquid-holding medium preferably comprises an absorbent material, such as, for example, an absorbent polymer material. Examples of suitable liquid-holding materials include fibrous polymers and porous polymers, such as open-cell foams. The liquid-holding medium may comprise fibrous cellulose acetate or fibrous cellulose polymers. The liquid-holding medium may comprise a porous polypropylene material. Suitable materials capable of retaining liquid will be known to those skilled in the art.

[0063] The liquid-bearing medium is either located within the airflow path through the heated aerosol-generating article or defines at least a portion of the airflow path through the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the one or more holes defined through the liquid-bearing medium define a portion of the airflow path through the heated aerosol-generating article between the distal end of the article and the mouth end of the article.

[0064] The liquid-holding medium may be in the form of a tube having a central lumen, the walls of the tube then being formed from or including a suitable liquid-holding material.

[0065] The liquid aerosol-forming substrate is incorporated into the liquid holding medium immediately before use. For example, a single dose of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate can be injected into the liquid holding medium immediately before use.

[0066] An article according to the invention may comprise a liquid aerosol-forming substrate contained within a frangible capsule, which may be located between the distal end and the midpoint of the article.

[0067] As used herein, the term "breakable capsule" refers to a capsule that contains a liquid aerosol-forming substrate and that can release the liquid aerosol-forming substrate when broken or ruptured. A breakable capsule can be formed from or include a breakable material that can be easily broken by a user to release its liquid aerosol-forming substrate contents. For example, the capsule can be broken by an external force, such as finger pressure, or by contact with a piercing or breaking element.

[0068] The breakable capsules are preferably spherical, e.g., globular or ovoid, having a maximum dimension of 2 mm to 8 mm, e.g., 4 mm to 6 mm. The breakable capsules may contain a volume of 20 to 300 microliters, e.g., 30 to 200 microliters. Such a range may provide a user with 10 to 150 inhalations of the aerosol.

[0069] The frangible capsule may have a frangible shell or may be shaped to facilitate rupture when subjected to an external force. The frangible capsule may be configured to burst upon application of an external force. For example, the frangible capsule may be configured to burst at a specific, defined external force, thereby releasing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The frangible capsule may have a brittle or breakable portion of its shell, thereby facilitating rupture. The frangible capsule may be positioned to engage with a piercing element to break the capsule and release the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The frangible capsule preferably has a burst strength of about 0.5 to 2.5 kilograms-force (kgf), e.g., 1.0 to 2.0 kgf.

[0070] The frangible capsule shell may comprise a suitable polymeric material, such as, for example, a gelatin-based material. The capsule shell may comprise a cellulosic or starch material.

[0071] Preferably, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is releasably contained within a frangible capsule, and the article further comprises a liquid-holding medium located proximate the frangible capsule for retaining the liquid aerosol-forming substrate within the article after its release from the frangible capsule.

[0072] Preferably, the liquid-holding medium is capable of absorbing 105% to 110% of the total volume of liquid contained within the breakable capsule. This helps prevent leakage of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the article after the breakable capsule has been ruptured and released its contents. Preferably, the liquid-holding medium is 90% to 95% saturated after release of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate from the breakable capsule.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate is a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and the article further comprises a frangible capsule containing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and a liquid-holding medium downstream of the heat dissipator and arranged to absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate when the frangible capsule is broken.

[0074] The frangible capsule may be located within a porous carrier material, for example the porous carrier material may be preferably provided in the form of a liquid-holding tube, the frangible capsule being located within the lumen of the tube.

[0075] The frangible capsule may be located adjacent to a liquid-holding medium within the article, so that the liquid aerosol-forming substrate released from the frangible capsule contacts and can be held by the liquid-holding medium. The frangible capsule may be located within the liquid-holding medium. For example, the liquid-holding medium may comprise a plug of material in which the capsule is embedded. Preferably, the article comprises a tubular liquid-holding medium, and the frangible capsule containing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is located within the lumen of the tubular liquid-holding medium.

[0076] When the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be immediately downstream of the heat dissipator. For example, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may abut the heat dissipator. In other embodiments, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be spaced longitudinally from the heat dissipator.

[0077] In certain preferred embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate is a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and the article further comprises a liquid-holding medium for holding the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. In such embodiments, the liquid-holding medium may be immediately downstream of the heat dissipator. For example, the liquid-holding medium may abut the heat dissipator. In other embodiments, the liquid-holding medium may be longitudinally spaced from the heat dissipator.

[0078] In one particular embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate is a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and the article further comprises a liquid-holding medium for holding the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the liquid-holding medium being longitudinally spaced from the heat dissipator.

[0079] With this configuration, conductive heat transfer between the heat spreader and the liquid bearing medium may be reduced, which may further reduce or prevent the occurrence of localized high temperature areas or "hot spots" in the liquid bearing medium that may otherwise be caused by conductive heating.

[0080] The aerosol-generating article according to the invention may further comprise a support element, which may be located immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate, or the article comprises a liquid-holding medium for holding the liquid aerosol-forming substrate immediately downstream of the liquid-holding medium. The support element may abut the aerosol-forming substrate or the liquid-holding medium.

[0081] The support element may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the support element may be formed from one or more materials selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cardboard, crimped paper (such as crimped heat-resistant paper or crimped parchment paper), and polymeric materials (such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE)). In a preferred embodiment, the support element is formed from cellulose acetate. The support element may comprise a hollow tubular element. For example, the support element comprises a hollow cellulose acetate tow tube. Preferably, the support element has an outer diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0082] The support element may have an outer diameter of between about 5 millimeters and about 12 millimeters, such as between about 5 millimeters and about 10 millimeters or between about 6 millimeters and about 8 millimeters. For example, the support element may have an outer diameter of 7.2 millimeters + / - 10%.

[0083] The support elements may have a length between approximately 5 mm and approximately 15 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the support elements have a length of approximately 8 mm.

[0084] The aerosol-cooling element can be located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate, for example, the aerosol-cooling element can be located immediately downstream of the support element or can abut the support element. The aerosol-cooling element can be located immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate, or the article comprises a liquid-holding medium for holding the liquid aerosol-forming substrate immediately downstream of the liquid-holding medium. For example, the aerosol-cooling element can abut the aerosol-forming substrate or the liquid-holding medium.

[0085] The aerosol cooling element may have a total surface area of ​​between approximately 300 and 1000 square millimeters per millimeter of length. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol cooling element has a total surface area of ​​approximately 500 square millimeters per millimeter of length.

[0086] The aerosol cooling element preferably has a low resistance to draw, i.e., the aerosol cooling element preferably provides low resistance to the passage of air through the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aerosol cooling element does not substantially affect the resistance to draw of the aerosol-generating article.

[0087] The aerosol cooling element may include a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. The plurality of longitudinally extending channels may be defined by a sheet of material that has been crimped, pleated, gathered, or folded in one or more ways to form the channels. The plurality of longitudinally extending channels may be defined by a single sheet that has been crimped, pleated, gathered, or folded in one or more ways to form the channels. Alternatively, the plurality of longitudinally extending channels may be defined by multiple sheets that have been crimped, pleated, gathered, or folded in one or more ways to form the channels.

[0088] In some embodiments, the aerosol cooling element may comprise an assembly of sheets of material selected from the group consisting of metal foil, polymeric material, and substantially non-porous paper or cardboard, hi some embodiments, the aerosol cooling element may comprise an assembly of sheets of material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose acetate (CA), and aluminum foil.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol cooling element comprises an assembly of sheets of biodegradable material, such as a collection of sheets of non-porous paper or a collection of sheets of biodegradable polymeric material, such as polylactic acid or Mater-Bi® grades (a commercially available family of starch-based copolyesters). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol cooling element comprises an assembly of sheets of polylactic acid.

[0090] The aerosol cooling element may be formed from an assembly of sheets of material having a specific surface area of ​​between approximately 10 and 100 square millimeters per milligram of weight. In some embodiments, the aerosol cooling element has a specific surface area of ​​approximately 35 mm 2 The material may be formed from an assembly of material sheets having a specific surface area of ​​1000 nm / mg.

[0091] The aerosol-generating article may include a mouthpiece located at the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article. The mouthpiece may be located immediately downstream of the aerosol-cooling element or may abut against the aerosol-cooling element. The mouthpiece may be located immediately downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate, or the article may include a liquid-holding medium for holding the liquid aerosol-forming substrate immediately downstream of the liquid-holding medium. In such embodiments, the mouthpiece may abut against the aerosol-forming substrate or the liquid-holding medium. The mouthpiece may include a filter. The filter may be formed from one or more suitable filtering materials. Many such filtering materials are known in the art. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece may include a filter formed from cellulose acetate tow.

[0092] The mouthpiece preferably has an outer diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article. The mouthpiece may have an outer diameter of between about 5 millimeters and about 10 millimeters, for example between about 6 millimeters and about 8 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece has an outer diameter of 7.2 millimeters + / - 10%.

[0093] The mouthpiece may have a length between about 5 mm and about 20 mm. For example, the mouthpiece may have a length between about 7 mm and about 12 mm.

[0094] The multiple elements of the aerosol-forming article may be surrounded by an outer wrapper, for example, in the form of a rod. The wrapper may surround at least a downstream portion of the heat spreader. In some embodiments, the wrapper surrounds the heat spreader substantially along the entire length of the heat spreader. The outer wrapper may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. Preferably, the outer wrapper is non-porous.

[0095] The aerosol-generating article may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosol-generating article may be substantially elongated. The aerosol-generating article may also have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to the length. The aerosol-forming substrate or porous carrier material into which the aerosol-forming substrate is absorbed in use may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosol-forming substrate or porous carrier material may be substantially elongated. The aerosol-forming substrate or porous carrier material may also have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to the length.

[0096] The aerosol-generating article may have an outer diameter of between about 5 millimeters and about 12 millimeters, for example between about 6 millimeters and about 8 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has an outer diameter of 7.2 millimeters + / - 10%.

[0097] The overall length of the aerosol-generating article may be between about 30 mm and about 100 mm, hi one embodiment, the overall length of the aerosol-generating article is about 45 mm.

[0098] The aerosol-forming substrate, or if applicable, the liquid-holding medium, may have a length of from about 7 mm to about 15 mm. In one embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate or liquid-holding medium may have a length of approximately 10 mm. Alternatively, the length of the aerosol-forming substrate or liquid-holding medium may be approximately 12 mm.

[0099] The aerosol-generating substrate or liquid-holding medium preferably has an outer diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article. The outer diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate or liquid-holding medium may be from about 5 mm to about 12 mm. In one embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate or liquid-holding medium may have an outer diameter of about 7.2 mm + / - 10%.

[0100] In use, the heat dissipator preferably heats the air drawn through it to between 200 and 220 degrees Celsius. The air is preferably cooled to about 100 degrees Celsius in the aerosol cooling element.

[0101] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heated aerosol generating system comprising an electrically operated aerosol generating device and a heated aerosol-generating article according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0102] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. An electrically operated aerosol-generating device is a device that includes one or more components that are used to provide energy from a power source to an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol.

[0103] The aerosol-generating device may be described as a heated aerosol-generating device, which is an aerosol-generating device that includes a heating element. The heating element or heater is used to heat the aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate the aerosol, or the solvent-emitting substrate of a cleaning consumable to form the cleaning solvent.

[0104] The aerosol-generating device may be an electrically heated aerosol-generating device, which is an aerosol-generating device that includes an electrically powered heating element to heat an aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.

[0105] The aerosol generating device of the aerosol generating system may comprise a housing having a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article, and a controller configured to control the supply of power from a power source to an electrical heating element of the system.

[0106] The electric heating element may form part of the aerosol-generating article, part of the aerosol-generating device, or both.

[0107] In certain embodiments, the electric heating element forms part of the device.

[0108] The electric heating element may include one or more heating elements.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment, the electrically operated aerosol generating device comprises an electric heating element and a housing having a recess, and the heated aerosol-generating article is received in the recess such that the heat spreader is penetrated by the electric heating element. The heating element may be in the form of a needle, pin, rod, or blade that can be conveniently inserted into the heat spreader.

[0110] The aerosol generation system according to the present invention includes an electric heating element. The electric heating element may comprise one or more external heating elements, one or more internal heating elements, or one or more external and one or more internal heating elements. As used herein, the term "external heating element" refers to a heating element that is positioned outside the heat spreader when the aerosol generation system is assembled with the heat spreader. As used herein, the term "internal heating element" refers to a heating element that is positioned at least partially within the heat spreader when the aerosol generation system is assembled with the heat spreader.

[0111] The one or more external heating elements may include an array of external heating elements arranged around the inner surface of the cavity. In certain examples, the external heating elements extend along the length of the cavity. This configuration allows the heating elements to extend along the same direction as the item is inserted into and removed from the cavity. This may reduce interference between the heating elements and the heat dissipator compared to devices in which the heating elements are not aligned with the length of the cavity. In some embodiments, the external heating elements extend along the length of the cavity and are spaced apart around the periphery. When the heating element includes one or more internal heating elements, the one or more internal heating elements may include any suitable number of heating elements. For example, the heating element may include a single internal heating element. The single internal heating element may extend along the length of the cavity.

[0112] Electric heating elements may include electrically resistive materials. Suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, semiconductors such as doped ceramics, "conductive" ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, alloys, and composites made of ceramic and metallic materials. Such composites may include doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable alloys include stainless steel, constantan, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-titanium-zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel-, iron-, cobalt-, and stainless steel-based superalloys, Timetal®, iron-aluminum-based alloys, and iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloys. Timetal® is a registered trademark of Titanium Metals Corporation, 1999 Broadway, Suite 4300, Denver, Colorado. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated in, or coated with an insulating material, or vice versa, depending on the required energy transfer kinetics and external physicochemical properties. The heating element may include a metallic, etched foil insulated between two layers of inert material. In this case, the inert material may include Kapton®, an all-layer polyimide, or mica foil. Kapton® is a registered trademark of EI du Pont de Nemours and Company, 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19898, United States of America.

[0113] When the electric heating element comprises a susceptor in thermal contact with the porous body of the heat dissipator, the aerosol generating device preferably comprises an inductor arranged to generate a varying electromagnetic field within the cavity. A power source is connected to the inductor. The inductor may comprise one or more coils that generate the varying electromagnetic field. The coil(s) may surround the cavity.

[0114] The device is preferably capable of generating a fluctuating electromagnetic field of 1 to 30 MHz, for example 2 to 10 MHz, for example 5 to 7 MHz. The device is preferably capable of generating a fluctuating electromagnetic field with a magnetic field strength (H field) of 1 to 5 kA / m, for example 2 to 3 kA / m, for example about 2.5 kA / m.

[0115] Preferably, the aerosol generating device is a portable or handheld aerosol generating device that a user can easily hold between the fingers of a single hand.

[0116] The aerosol generating device may be substantially cylindrical in shape.

[0117] The aerosol generating device may have a length between about 70 millimeters and about 120 millimeters.

[0118] The device may include a power supply for powering the electric heating element. The power supply may be any suitable power source, for example, a DC voltage source such as a battery. In one embodiment, the power supply is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery such as a lithium-cobalt, lithium iron phosphate, lithium titanate, or lithium polymer battery.

[0119] The controller may be a simple switch, or it may be an electrical circuit and may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers.

[0120] The terms "upstream" and "downstream" as used herein are used to describe the relative positions of elements or portions of elements of an aerosol-generating article or aerosol-generating device with respect to the direction in which air is drawn through the system during their use.

[0121] The term "longitudinal direction," as used herein, is used to describe the direction between the upstream and downstream ends of an aerosol-generating article, element thereof, or aerosol-generating device, and the term "transverse direction" is used to describe the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0122] As used herein, the term "diameter" is used to describe the largest transverse dimension of an aerosol-generating article, element thereof, or aerosol-generating device. As used herein, the term "length" is used to describe the largest longitudinal dimension.

[0123] As used herein, the term "removably coupled" is used to mean that the article and device can be coupled and separated from one another without significant damage to either the article or the device. For example, the article can be detached from the device when the aerosol-forming substrate is consumed.

[0124] Features described with respect to one or more aspects may equally apply to the other aspects of the invention, in particular features described in relation to the article of the first aspect may equally apply to the system of the second aspect, and vice versa.

[0125] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0126] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-section of an aerosol-generating article according to a first embodiment of the invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the system including the aerosol-generating article of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-section of an aerosol-generating article according to a second embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0127] 1 illustrates an aerosol-generating article 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol-generating article 100 comprises four coaxially aligned elements: a heat spreader 110, a tubular liquid-holding medium 120, an aerosol cooling element 130, and a mouthpiece 140. Each of the four elements is substantially cylindrical and has substantially the same diameter. The four elements are arranged consecutively and surrounded by a non-porous outer wrapper 150 to form a cylindrical rod.

[0128] The aerosol-generating article 100 has a distal or upstream end 160 and a proximal or oral end 170 opposite the upstream end 160 that a user inserts into their mouth during use. The assembled aerosol-generating article 200 has a total length of about 33 mm to about 45 mm and a diameter of about 7.2 mm.

[0129] The heat spreader 110 is located at the very distal or upstream end 160 of the aerosol-generating article 100 and includes a porous body 112 in the form of a cylindrical plug of heat storage material. The porous body 112 has a recess in the form of a slot 114 at its upstream end that is positioned to receive a blade-shaped heating element as described below in connection with Figure 2. The pores in the porous body 112 are interconnected to form a plurality of airflow passages that extend through the porous body 112 from its upstream end to its downstream end.

[0130] The tubular liquid-bearing medium 120 is located downstream of the heat dissipator 110 and is spaced from the heat dissipator 110 in the longitudinal direction of the article 100 by a gap 105. This may minimize the extent to which the aerosol-forming segment 120 may be heated by conduction from the heat dissipator 110.

[0131] Article 100 further includes a frangible capsule 122 located within a lumen 124 of liquid-bearing medium 120. Breakable capsule 122 contains a liquid aerosol-forming substrate 126.

[0132] The tubular liquid-holding medium 120 has a length of 8 mm and is formed from a fibrous cellulose acetate material. The liquid-holding medium has a capacity to absorb 35 microliters of liquid. The lumen 124 of the tubular liquid-holding medium 120 provides an air flow path through the liquid-holding medium 120 and also serves to locate the frangible capsule 122. The material of the liquid-holding medium can be any other suitable fibrous or porous material.

[0133] The frangible capsule 122 is shaped like an ellipsoidal sphere, with the major dimension of the ellipsoid aligned with the axis of the lumen 124. The ellipsoidal shape of the capsule may mean that it is easier to break than if it were spherical, although other capsule shapes may also be used. The capsule 122 has an outer shell comprising a gelatinous polymer material that surrounds a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0134] The liquid aerosol-forming substrate 126 comprises propylene glycol, nicotine extract, and 20% water by weight. A broad-spectrum flavoring agent may optionally be added. A broad-spectrum aerosol former may alternatively or additionally be used as the propylene glycol. The capsule is approximately 4 mm long and contains a volume of approximately 33 microliters of liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0135] The aerosol cooling element 130 is located immediately downstream of and abuts the liquid carrying medium 120. In use, volatile material emitted from the aerosol-forming substrate 126 passes along the aerosol cooling element 130 toward the mouth end 170 of the aerosol-generating article 100. The volatile material may cool within the aerosol cooling element 130 to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the user. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the aerosol cooling element 130 includes a collection 132 of crimped sheets of polylactic acid surrounded by a wrapper 134. The collection 132 of crimped sheets of polylactic acid defines a plurality of longitudinal channels extending along the length of the aerosol cooling element 130.

[0136] Mouthpiece 140 is located immediately downstream of and abuts aerosol cooling element 130. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, mouthpiece 140 includes a conventional cellulose acetate tow filter 142 with low filtration efficiency.

[0137] To assemble the aerosol-generating article 100, the four cylindrical elements are aligned and tightly wrapped within an outer wrapper 150. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the outer wrapper 150 is formed from a non-porous sheet material. In other embodiments, the outer wrapper may comprise a porous material, such as cigarette paper.

[0138] 2 shows an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which comprises an aerosol-generating article 100 and an aerosol-generating device 200.

[0139] The aerosol-generating device 200 includes a housing 210 defining a cavity 220 for receiving the aerosol-generating article 100. The device 200 further includes a heater 230 including a base 232 and a heating element in the form of a heater blade 234 that penetrates the heat spreader 110 such that a portion of the heater blade 234 extends into the slot of the porous body 112 when the article 100 is received in the cavity 220, as shown in FIG. 2 . The heater blade 234 includes a resistive heating strip 236 for resistively heating the heat spreader 110. A controller 240 controls the operation of the device 200, including the supply of electrical current from a battery 250 to the resistive heating strip 236 of the heater blade 234.

[0140] 2, the frangible capsule ruptures prior to insertion of the article 100 into the cavity 220 of the device 200. Thus, the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is shown as being absorbed within the liquid-holding medium 120.

[0141] In use, the controller 240 supplies current from the battery 250 to the resistive heating strip 236, heating the heater blades 234. The thermal energy is then absorbed by the porous body 112 of the heat dissipator 110. Air is drawn into the device 200 through an air inlet (not shown), then through the heat dissipator 110 and along the aerosol-generating article 100 by a user from the distal end 160 to the oral end 170 of the aerosol-generating article 100. As the air is drawn through the porous body 112, it is heated by the heat stored in the porous body 112 before passing through the tubular liquid-holding medium 120, thereby heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate within the liquid-holding medium 120. The air is preferably heated to 200-220 degrees Celsius by the heat dissipator. The air is then preferably cooled to approximately 100 degrees Celsius as it is drawn through the aerosol-cooling element.

[0142] During the heating cycle, at least some of the one or more volatile compounds within the aerosol-generating substrate evaporate. The vaporized aerosol-forming substrate is entrained in the airflow through the liquid-bearing medium 120 and condenses within the aerosol-cooling element 130 and mouthpiece portion 140, thereby forming an inhalable aerosol that exits the aerosol-generating article 100 at its mouth end 170.

[0143] Figure 3 shows an aerosol-generating article 300 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol-generating article 300 has a similar structure to the aerosol-generating article 100 of Figure 1, and like reference numerals are used where identical features are present. Like the aerosol-generating article 100 of Figure 1, the aerosol-generating article 300 comprises a heat dissipator 310, an aerosol-cooling element 330, and a mouthpiece 340, which are coaxially arranged and surrounded by a non-porous outer wrapper 350, thereby forming a cylindrical rod. However, unlike the generating article 100 of Figure 1, the aerosol-generating article 300 comprises a solid aerosol-forming substrate in the form of a cylindrical plug 320 of homogenized tobacco-derived material 322 containing an aerosol former, such as glycerin, encased in a plug wrap 324. Similar to the liquid-carrying tube of first article 100, aerosol-forming substrate plug 320 is positioned downstream of heat dissipator 310 and upstream of aerosol-cooling element 330 and is surrounded by wrapper 350. In use, air is drawn through heat dissipator 310 and aerosol-forming substrate plug 320. Use of aerosol-generating article 300 is otherwise similar to that described above in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

[0144] The specific embodiments and examples described above illustrate the invention but do not limit it. It will be understood that other embodiments of the invention may be made and the specific embodiments and examples described herein are not intended to be exhaustive.

[0145] For example, although the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 illustrates article 100 including one frangible capsule, in other embodiments, two or more frangible capsules may be provided.

[0146] Furthermore, while the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 illustrates the heating element as a single heating blade positioned to extend within the heat spreader, the heating element may be provided as one or more heating elements extending around the periphery of the recess. Additionally or alternatively, the heating element may comprise a susceptor positioned within the heat spreader. For example, a blade-type susceptor may contact the porous body and be positioned within the heat spreader. One or both ends of the susceptor may be sharpened or pointed to facilitate insertion into the heat spreader.

Claims

1. 1. A heated aerosol-generating article for use in an electrically operated aerosol generating device, the article having an oral end and a distal end upstream from the oral end; a porous body formed from ceramic located toward the distal end of the article; an aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the porous body; an electric heating element as part of the aerosol-generating article, the electric heating element is positioned at least partially within the porous body; the porous body includes one or more electrical contacts by which the electric heating element can be connected to a power source; The porous body is a heat dissipator. Heated aerosol-generating products.

2. The heated aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 , wherein the electric heating element is thermally coupled to the porous body.

3. The heated aerosol-generating article of claim 2, wherein the electric heating element comprises one or more external heating elements, and the one or more external heating elements comprise an array of external heating elements arranged around the porous body.

4. 4. The heated aerosol-generating article according to claim 2, wherein the electric heating element includes one or more external heating elements, the one or more external heating elements extending along the longitudinal direction of the porous body.

5. The heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the electric heating element is an electrically resistive heating element.

6. The heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the electric heating element comprises a susceptor.

7. The heated aerosol-generating article according to claim 6 , wherein the susceptor is embedded in the porous body.

8. The heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

9. The heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the aerosol-generating article is configured to be removably coupled to the aerosol generating device.

10. The heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the aerosol-generating article is disposable or reusable.

11. 11. The heated aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the pores in the porous body have an average cross-sectional dimension of less than about 0.5 mm.

12. 12. The heated aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the pore size of the pores in the porous body varies along the length of the porous body.

13. The heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises one or more of propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, glycerin, glycerol mono-, di-, or triacetate, dimethyl dodecanedioate, and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

14. 14. The heated aerosol-generating article according to claim 13, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate comprises one or more of glycerin and propylene glycol.

15. 15. A heated aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, comprising a liquid-bearing medium that defines at least a portion of an airflow path through the aerosol-generating article.

16. A heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein, in use, air drawn through the aerosol-generating article from the distal end to the mouth end is heated by the porous body.

17. A heated aerosol-generating article as described in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the heat dissipator is positioned to absorb heat from the electric heating element so that, in use, air drawn through the aerosol-generating article from the distal end to the mouth end is heated by heat absorbed by the porous body.

18. The heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the porous body is formed from a plug of porous material.

19. The heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the porous body is formed from a heat storage material.

20. 20. The heated aerosol-generating article according to claim 19, wherein the porous body is formed from a material having a specific heat capacity of at least 0.5 J / g.K at 25 degrees Celsius.

21. 20. The heated aerosol-generating article according to claim 19, wherein the porous body is formed from a material having a specific heat capacity of at least 0.7 J / g.K at 25 degrees Celsius.

22. 20. The heated aerosol-generating article according to claim 19, wherein the porous body is formed from a material having a specific heat capacity of at least 0.8 J / g.K at 25 degrees Celsius.

23. The heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the porous body is thermally conductive.

24. 24. The heated aerosol-generating article of claim 23, wherein the porous body is formed from a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 40 W / m.K at 23 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity.

25. 24. The heated aerosol-generating article of claim 23, wherein the porous body is formed from a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 100 W / m.K at 23 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity.

26. 24. The heated aerosol-generating article of claim 23, wherein the porous body is formed from a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 150 W / m.K at 23 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity.

27. 24. The heated aerosol-generating article of claim 23, wherein the porous body is formed from a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 200 W / m.K at 23 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity.

28. The heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; a frangible capsule containing the liquid aerosol-forming substrate; a porous carrier material downstream of the heat dissipator and positioned to absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate when the frangible capsule is ruptured.

29. 29. The heated aerosol-generating article of claim 28, wherein the frangible capsule is located within the porous carrier material.

30. 30. A heated aerosol-generating article according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the heat spreader is spaced longitudinally of the article from the porous carrier material.

31. A heated aerosol-generating article as described in any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the heat dissipator is positioned at a distance from the aerosol-forming substrate in the longitudinal direction of the article.

32. A heated aerosol generating system comprising an electrically operated aerosol generating device and a heated aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 31.

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