Aerosol generation system

Abstract

An aerosol generating system (1) is described that includes an aerosol generating device (6) and an aerosol product (2). The aerosol product (2) includes an aerosol-generating material (16) having a first outer surface (16a) and a second outer surface (16b) substantially opposite the first outer surface (16a). The aerosol-generating material (16) is substantially rectangular, and the first and second outer surfaces (16a, 16b) are the surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped having the largest surface area. The aerosol product (2) also includes a first conductive layer (18a) adjacent to and completely covering the first outer surface (16a). The device (6) includes a first electrode (8) adjacent to the first conductive layer (18a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an aerosol-generating article, and specifically to an aerosol-generating article adapted to be received in an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol-generating system including an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device.

[0002] The present disclosure is particularly applicable to portable (hand-held) aerosol-generating devices.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, devices that heat rather than burn an aerosol-generating material to produce an aerosol for inhalation have become popular among consumers. Commonly available risk reduction or risk modification devices are heat-not-burn aerosol-generating devices, that is, so-called heat-not-burn devices. This type of device generates an aerosol or vapor by heating the aerosol-generating material to a temperature typically in the range of 150°C to 300°C. This temperature range is considerably lower than that of conventional cigarettes. When the aerosol-generating material is heated to a temperature within this range without being ignited or combusted, vapor is generated, and this vapor usually cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user of the device.

[0004] Such a device may supply heat to the aerosol-generating material using one of several different methods. One method may be designed to heat a conductive aerosol-generating material, such as tobacco material doped with a conductive material like a carbon-based material, by applying an electric current to the aerosol-generating material. Thus, the aerosol-generating material is heated directly by an electric current flowing through it (Joule heating), rather than being heated indirectly by an external heater or, for example, by one or more susceptors located outside the aerosol-generating material in an induction heating system. The aerosol-generating material may be part of an aerosol product that the user inserts into the device during use. To heat the aerosol-generating material, it is usually necessary to expose at least a portion of the aerosol-generating material to the surface of the aerosol product so that an electrical connection with the device can be made. This may be unacceptable to the user, for example, due to situations in which the user's fingers may come into contact with the exposed aerosol-generating material, or due to a portion of the aerosol-generating material leaking from the article. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure attempt to solve this problem by providing an alternative method for heating an aerosol-generating material by constructing an aerosol-generating system as a capacitor and applying an electric field across the aerosol-generating material surrounded by a wrapper. At least a portion of the wrapper is conductive. The present disclosure provides embodiments in which the aerosol-generating material is conductive so that an electric field causes an electric current to flow through the aerosol-generating material, and embodiments in which the aerosol-generating material is non-conductive, i.e., the aerosol-generating material is not doped with a conductive material and functions as a dielectric. [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an aerosol generation system, An aerosol-generating material having a first outer surface and a second outer surface substantially opposite to the first outer surface, wherein the aerosol-generating material is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, and the first outer surface and the second outer surface are surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped having the maximum surface area, A first conductive layer adjacent to the first outer surface and completely covering the first outer surface, An aerosol generation system is provided, comprising a first electrode adjacent to a first conductive layer.

[0006] The system may further comprise a second conductive layer adjacent to and completely covering the second outer surface, and a second electrode adjacent to the second conductive layer. It is typically advantageous for the first and second conductive layers to completely cover the respective outer surfaces of the aerosol-generating material. If the aerosol-generating material is a conductive material, such a configuration means that the vectors of the currents flowing through the aerosol-generating material are aligned. This helps to provide more uniform heating and, in particular, can prevent the formation of "hot spots" or "cold spots" (i.e., areas where the aerosol-generating material is overheated or underheated) within the aerosol-generating material. Such hot and cold spots can affect the taste of the generated aerosol. If the aerosol-generating material is a non-conductive material and can thereby function as a dielectric for the aerosol-generating system, constructed largely as a capacitor (see below), the efficiency of aerosol generation can be improved by ensuring that the respective outer surfaces of the aerosol-generating material are completely covered by the first and second conductive layers, thereby maximizing the available capacitance.

[0007] The surface area of ​​the first conductive layer may be larger than the surface area of ​​the first outer surface, and / or the surface area of ​​the second conductive layer may be larger than the surface area of ​​the second outer surface. By making the first conductive layer and / or the second conductive layer slightly larger than the adjacent outer surface of the aerosol-generating material, the available capacitance is further increased, resulting in more uniform heating of the aerosol-generating material, while also accommodating manufacturing tolerances.

[0008] The aerosol-generating material and the first conductive layer may be part of the aerosol product (or consumable). The aerosol product may also comprise a second conductive layer. In such an aerosol product, there is good adhesion and contact between the aerosol-generating material and the first conductive layer, and / or between the aerosol-generating material and the second conductive layer. This can improve the efficiency of aerosol generation.

[0009] The first electrode may be part of an aerosol generating device adapted to contain an aerosol product during use. The aerosol generating device may also include a second electrode. When the aerosol product is contained within the aerosol generating device, for example, in the aerosol generating space or heating chamber of the device, the first electrode is positioned adjacent to a first conductive layer, and the second electrode is positioned adjacent to a second conductive layer. The first electrode may be in electrical contact with the first conductive layer, and the second electrode may be in electrical contact with the second conductive layer. The first electrode and the first conductive layer may form a first electrode assembly positioned adjacent to a first outer surface of the aerosol generating material. The second electrode and the second conductive layer may form a second electrode assembly positioned adjacent to a second outer surface of the aerosol generating material.

[0010] The first and second electrodes (or the first and second electrode assemblies) may define a pair of conductive parallel capacitor plates, which may be substantially planar and separated by a dielectric containing an aerosol-generating material if they are made of a non-conductive material. Thus, the aerosol-generating system can be constructed largely as a capacitor.

[0011] The first electrode may be connected to a first terminal (e.g., the positive terminal), and the second electrode may be connected to a second terminal (e.g., the negative terminal). When a voltage is applied between the first and second terminals to charge the capacitor, for example, if the aerosol generating device further includes a circuit electrically connected to a power source (e.g., a battery) between the first and second terminals, a net positive charge accumulates on the positive electrode (e.g., the first electrode or electrode assembly) and a net negative charge accumulates on the negative electrode (e.g., the second electrode or electrode assembly). An electric field is generated between the first or second electrode or electrode assembly. The capacitor can be charged until its voltage is substantially equal to the voltage between the first and second electrodes. Once the capacitor is fully charged, no current flows through the circuit. The capacitor can be discharged, for example, through a resistor. By charging and discharging the capacitor, as will be described in more detail below, the aerosol generating material is heated to produce an aerosol for inhalation by the user.

[0012] If the aerosol generating material is a conductive material, the aerosol generating device may further include a circuit electrically connected to a power source (e.g., a battery) between the first and second terminals, which can be used to generate an electric field between the first or second electrode or electrode assembly, pass an electric current through the aerosol generating material, heat the aerosol generating material by Joule heating, and generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user.

[0013] The circuit may further include switching devices (e.g., one or more switches). The switching devices can be closed to charge a capacitor or allow current to flow through the aerosol-generating material, and can be opened to discharge the capacitor or stop the flow of current through the aerosol-generating material. One or more switches may be semiconductor switching devices. One or more switches may be opened and closed (or switched on / off) by a controller.

[0014] The first electrode may have a surface area substantially equal to the surface area of ​​the first outer surface of the aerosol-generating material, or the surface area of ​​the first conductive layer completely covering the first outer surface. The second electrode may have a surface area substantially equal to the surface area of ​​the second outer surface of the aerosol-generating material, or the surface area of ​​the second conductive layer completely covering the second outer surface. It will be understood that the capacitance of the parallel-plate capacitor is proportional to the smallest area of ​​the first and second electrodes and inversely proportional to the distance or spacing between them. The first and second outer surfaces are the surfaces of a rectangular parallelepiped having the largest surface area to maximize capacitance. By maximizing capacitance, the efficiency of aerosol generation can be improved. In other configurations, for example, the first electrode may have a surface area larger or smaller than the surface area of ​​the first outer surface of the aerosol-generating material or the surface area of ​​the first conductive layer, and / or the second electrode may have a surface area larger or smaller than the surface area of ​​the second outer surface of the aerosol-generating material or the surface area of ​​the second conductive layer. The first electrode and / or second electrode may be designed simply to provide an electrical connection between the circuit and the respective conductive layers of the aerosol product when the article is housed in the aerosol generation space or heating chamber of the device. It should be emphasized that, in particular, the first electrode does not need to completely cover the first outer surface of the aerosol-generating material, and the second electrode does not need to completely cover the second outer surface of the aerosol-generating material. Therefore, narrower or smaller positive and / or negative electrodes may be used. This may mean that the positive and / or negative electrodes are not exposed at the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device. This may also prevent the transfer of static charge from the user to the positive and / or negative electrodes.

[0015] The first and second electrodes may be formed from any suitable conductive material, such as aluminum.

[0016] The aerosol-generating material may include plant-derived materials, and in particular may include tobacco materials.

[0017] The aerosol-generating material may be a non-conductive material or a conductive material, and may further contain, for example, a carbon-based material such as charcoal, or a metal such as aluminum. In particular, the aerosol-generating material may contain a non-conductive material such as a plant-derived material or tobacco material as a base material, and then be doped with a conductive material such as a carbon-based material or metal particles to become conductive.

[0018] When heated, the aerosol-generating material may release one or more volatile compounds. These volatile compounds may include nicotine, or flavor compounds such as tobacco flavorings or other flavorings.

[0019] The aerosol-generating material may be part of the aerosol precursor compartment of the aerosol product. The aerosol product may further comprise a cooling compartment (or filter compartment) at its proximal end. Preferably, the first and second electrodes do not extend over or overlap with the cooling compartment when the article is housed in the device. In other words, preferably, at least a portion of the cooling compartment is located outside the space defined between the first and second electrodes when the article is housed in the device. The cooling compartment may include, for example, cellulose acetate fibers. The cooling compartment may constitute a mouthpiece filter. In some designs, one or more vapor collection areas, cooling areas, and other structures may also be included. The vapor cooling area may advantageously allow vapor to cool and condense to form an aerosol with suitable properties for inhalation by the user, for example, through a filter segment. Generally speaking, vapor is a substance that is in the gaseous phase at temperatures below its critical temperature, meaning that vapor can be condensed into a liquid by increasing the pressure without decreasing the temperature, while aerosol is fine solid particles or droplets suspended in the air or another gas. However, it should be noted that the terms "aerosol" and "vapor" may be used interchangeably in this specification.

[0020] The aerosol product may further include a non-conductive wrapper, such as a paper wrapper, that extends substantially around the cooling compartment.

[0021] The first conductive layer and / or the second conductive layer may include a substrate (e.g., a paper substrate) doped with conductive particles such as carbon-based or metal particles, or impregnated with a conductive electrolyte such as a sodium chloride-based electrolyte. In another configuration, the first conductive layer and / or the second conductive layer may be formed on the surface of a non-conductive substrate (e.g., a paper substrate). The aerosol-generating material may be substantially surrounded by a substrate such as a paper substrate or a paper wrapper, which is made conductive, for example, by doping or impregnating portions of the substrate or wrapper adjacent to the first and second outer surfaces with conductive particles or electrolytes, or by forming conductive layers, for example, extending around the outer surface of the aerosol-generating material to form the first and second conductive layers. The conductive layers are separated by non-conductive portions of the substrate or wrapper, for example, portions of the substrate or wrapper adjacent to other outer surfaces of the aerosol-generating material. This ensures that the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are electrically insulated from each other. In general, it is preferable that at least the aerosol-generating material is completely surrounded by a substrate or wrapper so that no part of the aerosol-generating material is exposed.

[0022] When a conductive layer is formed on the surface of a non-conductive substrate, such as a paper substrate or paper wrapper, the conductive layer may be electrically connected to the opposite surface of the substrate or wrapper by one or more conductive connectors extending through the substrate or wrapper, for example, by one or more vias. These conductive connectors (or vias) allow current to pass through the non-conductive substrate or wrapper. The conductive connectors may also function, for example, as air inlets to allow air to be drawn into an aerosol-generating material. Such conductive connectors may be similar to those used to connect conductive layers in a printed circuit board (PCB). In a PCB, for example, vias may include a pair of pads on different conductive layers of the substrate that are electrically connected by holes that penetrate the substrate. The holes may be made conductive by electroplating or lined with a tube of conductive material. Each conductive connector in this disclosure may have a similar structure, for example, having a pair of pads or a conductive tube connected to a conductive layer on both sides of the substrate or wrapper's surface.

[0023] The conductive layer can be formed on the substrate surface, for example, by partial immersion coating or by printing, for example, by printing conductive ink onto the substrate surface.

[0024] If the aerosol-generating material is a non-conductive material, it acts as a dielectric between the first or second electrode or electrode assembly. When the capacitor is charged and discharged, heat is dissipated within the first or second electrode or electrode assembly, which heats the adjacent aerosol-generating material. When the capacitor is charged, i.e., when a voltage is applied across the first and second terminals and an electric field is generated between the first or second electrode or electrode assembly, no current flows through the aerosol-generating material. Instead, the aerosol-generating material is polarized such that positive charges in the aerosol-generating material are slightly displaced in the direction of the electric field, and negative charges are slightly displaced in the opposite direction. When the capacitor is discharged, the polarization is released, and the charges can return to their original positions. The moving positive and negative charges interact with the internal resistance of the aerosol-generating material, resulting in direct heating of the aerosol-generating material.

[0025] When the aerosol-generating material is a conductive material, when a voltage is applied between the first terminal and the second terminal, an electric field generated between the first electrode and the second electrode or the electrode assembly causes a current to flow in the aerosol-generating material. Due to the internal resistance of the aerosol-generating material, the current flowing through the aerosol-generating material provides direct heating of the aerosol-generating material by Joule heating.

[0026] In both configurations, direct heating is provided without the need to expose a portion of the aerosol-generating material. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating material may be surrounded by a wrapper, such as a paper wrapper, which may form first and second conductive layers. There is neither a risk of a user's finger coming into contact with the exposed aerosol-generating material, nor a risk of a portion of the aerosol-generating material leaking out of the aerosol-generating article. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. [Figure 2] It is a schematic perspective view of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 1. [Figure 3] It is a schematic side view of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 1, showing an aerosol precursor compartment and a cooling compartment. [Figure 4] It is a schematic top view of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 1, showing an aerosol precursor compartment and a cooling compartment. [Figure 5] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating system of Figure 1, wherein a first aerosol-generating article is housed in the aerosol-generating device. [Figure 6] It is a schematic cross-sectional view along line A-A of Figure 5. [Figure 7] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating system of Figure 1, wherein a second aerosol-generating article is housed in the aerosol-generating device. [Figure 8] It is a schematic cross-sectional view along line A-A of Figure 7. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a wrapper. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram showing another example of a wrapper. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Herein, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings, merely as an example.

[0029] Referring first to Figure 1, an example of an aerosol generation system 1 is schematically shown, which includes an aerosol product 2 (or consumable) adapted to be housed in the aerosol generation space or heating chamber 4 of the aerosol generation device 6.

[0030] The aerosol generation device 6 includes a positive electrode 8 and a negative electrode 10 adjacent to the aerosol generation space 4. The positive electrode 8 and the negative electrode 10 may be formed from any suitable conductive material, such as aluminum.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the aerosol product 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped structure and includes a first outer surface 2a and a second outer surface 2b opposite the first outer surface 2a. The first outer surface 2a and the second outer surface 2b are rectangular parallelepiped surfaces having the largest surface area to maximize capacitance (see below). By maximizing capacitance, the efficiency of aerosol generation can be improved. The aerosol product 2 is, - Third outer surface 2c, - The fourth outer surface 2d opposite the third outer surface 2c, - The fifth outer surface 2e at the distal end of the aerosol product 2, and - This also includes the sixth outer surface 2f at the proximal end of the aerosol product 2, which is opposite to the fifth outer surface 2e.

[0032] Aerosol product 2 includes an aerosol precursor compartment 12 and a cooling compartment 14 at the proximal end. The aerosol precursor compartment 12 is - First outer surface 16a, - The second outer surface 16b opposite to the first outer surface 16a, - Third outer surface 16c, - The fourth outer surface 16d opposite the third outer surface 16c, - The fifth outer surface 16e, and - Includes a rectangular parallelepiped of aerosol-generating material 16 having a sixth outer surface 16f opposite to the fifth outer surface 16c, which is in contact with the cooling compartment 14.

[0033] When heated, the aerosol-generating material 16 may release one or more volatile compounds. These volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavor compounds such as tobacco flavorings or other flavorings. At least the aerosol precursor compartment 12 is surrounded by a wrapper 18, such as a paper wrapper. In the aerosol product 2 as shown in the figure, the wrapper 18 extends around the outer surfaces 16a, 16b, ..., 16e of the aerosol-generating material 16, so that the material is completely surrounded by the wrapper and the adjacent cooling compartment 14 of the aerosol product 2. The wrapper 18 may also extend around the cooling compartment 14.

[0034] The wrapper 18 defines a first conductive layer 18a adjacent to and completely covering the first outer surface 16a of the aerosol generating material 16, and a second conductive layer 18b adjacent to and completely covering the second outer surface 16b of the aerosol generating material.

[0035] The wrapper 18 also defines non-conductive layers 18c, ..., 18e adjacent to the third, fourth, and fifth outer surfaces 16c, ..., 16e of the aerosol-generating material 16. Any portion of the wrapper 18 that may extend around the cooling compartment 14 is also non-conductive. Thus, the first and second conductive layers 18a, 18b are not in electrical contact with each other; i.e., they are electrically insulated. It is not essential that the first and second conductive layers 18a, 18b cover at least a portion of the cooling compartment 14.

[0036] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, when the aerosol product 2 is housed in the aerosol generation space 4 of the aerosol generation device 6, the positive electrode 8 is positioned adjacent to the first conductive layer 18a, and the negative electrode 10 is positioned adjacent to the second conductive layer 18b. When the aerosol product 2 is housed in the aerosol generation device 6, at least a portion of the cooling compartment 14 is positioned outside the aerosol generation space 4 so that the positive electrode 8 and the negative electrode 10 do not extend over or overlap the cooling compartment 14. When the aerosol product 2 is housed in the aerosol generation device 6, the positive electrode 8 is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer 18a, and the negative electrode 10 is in electrical contact with the second conductive layer 18b.

[0037] The electrodes 8 and 10 are substantially planar and define a pair of conductive parallel capacitor plates. In practice, the positive electrode 8 and the first conductive layer 18a may function as a single common positive electrode, and the negative electrode 10 and the second conductive layer 18b may function as a single common negative electrode.

[0038] In the configurations shown in Figures 5 and 6, the aerosol-generating material is formed from a non-conductive material (e.g., a plant-derived material, particularly a tobacco material). The aerosol-generating system 1 is generally constructed as a capacitor in which the aerosol-generating material 16 is a dielectric between the positive electrode assembly and the negative electrode assembly.

[0039] The positive electrode 8 has substantially the same surface area as the first outer surface 16a of the aerosol generating material 16. The negative electrode 10 has substantially the same surface area as the second outer surface 16b of the aerosol generating material. Alternatively, the positive electrode 8 may have a smaller surface area than the first outer surface 16a of the aerosol generating material 16, and / or the negative electrode 10 may have a smaller surface area than the second outer surface 16b of the aerosol generating material 16. This may mean that the positive and / or negative electrodes 8, 10 are not exposed at the proximal end of the aerosol generating device 6. This may also prevent the transfer of static charge from the user to the positive electrode 8 and / or negative electrode 10.

[0040] The positive electrode 8 is connected to the positive terminal 20, and the negative electrode 10 is connected to the negative terminal 22. The aerosol generating device 6 includes a circuit 24 electrically connected between the positive terminal 20 and the negative terminal 22, using a power supply (not shown) and a switching device (not shown) that is closed to charge the capacitor and opened to discharge the capacitor. When a voltage is applied between the positive terminal 20 and the negative terminal 22 to charge the capacitor, a net positive charge accumulates on the positive electrode 8 and a net negative charge accumulates on the negative electrode 10. An electric field is generated between the positive electrode assembly and the negative electrode assembly. The capacitor can be charged until its voltage value is substantially equal to the voltage across the positive electrode 8 and the negative electrode 10. Once the capacitor is fully charged, no current flows through the circuit 24. The capacitor can be discharged, for example, through a resistor that forms part of the circuit 24. By charging and discharging the capacitor, the aerosol generating material 16 is heated to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user.

[0041] Charging and discharging of the capacitor dissipates heat from the positive and negative electrodes 8 and 10, and the first and second conductive layers 18a and 18b of the paper wrapper 18, and this heat heats the adjacent aerosol-generating material 16. When the capacitor is charged, that is, when an electric field is generated between the positive electrode 8 and the negative electrode 10, the aerosol-generating material 16 is polarized, and as a result, the positive charges in the aerosol-generating material are slightly displaced in the direction of the electric field, and the negative charges are slightly displaced in the opposite direction. When the capacitor is discharged, the polarization is released, and the charges can return to their original positions. The moving positive and negative charges interact with the internal resistance of the aerosol-generating material 16, resulting in direct heating of the aerosol-generating material. In Figure 6, the polarization of individual dielectric layers during capacitor charging is indicated by positive and negative signs ("+" and "-").

[0042] In the configurations shown in Figures 7 and 8, the aerosol-generating material 16 is formed from a conductive material (for example, a plant-derived material, particularly tobacco material, as a substrate doped with a conductive material such as a carbon-based material to make it conductive). By generating an electric field between the positive electrode assembly and the negative electrode assembly, an electric current flows through the aerosol-generating material 16. Due to the internal resistance of the aerosol-generating material 16, the current flowing through the aerosol-generating material provides direct heating of the aerosol-generating material by Joule heating. In Figure 8, the flow of current is indicated by vertical arrows.

[0043] In both of these configurations, direct heating is provided without the need to expose any part of the aerosol-generating material 16. There is no possibility of the user's fingers coming into contact with the exposed aerosol-generating material 16, nor is there any possibility of any part of the aerosol-generating material leaking out of the aerosol product 2.

[0044] As described above, the wrapper 18 surrounding the aerosol generating material 16 includes a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion. The conductive portion of the wrapper 18 is defined by first and second conductive layers 18a, 18b, and the non-conductive portion is defined by third, fourth, and fifth non-conductive layers 18c, ..., 18e. The wrapper 18 may include, for example, a combination of conductive and non-conductive materials. For example, the first and second conductive layers 18a, 18b may be formed from a conductive material (e.g., aluminum), and the other layers may be formed from a non-conductive material (e.g., a paper substrate).

[0045] Alternatively, the first and / or second conductive layers 18a, 18b may comprise a conductive portion adjacent to the aerosol-generating material 16 and a non-conductive portion adjacent to the cooling compartment 14. This non-conductive portion provides insulation and can prevent the cooling compartment 14 from becoming too hot to touch. Even immediately after aerosol generation, the user can easily remove the aerosol product 2 by simply pinching the covered cooling compartment 14.

[0046] As shown in Figure 9, the wrapper 18 may comprise a non-conductive substrate 26 (e.g., a paper substrate) which is selectively doped with conductive particles 28 to make specific portions of the substrate conductive. For example, a portion of the substrate 26 adjacent to the first outer surface 16a of the aerosol-generating material 16 may be doped to define a first conductive layer 18a. Although not shown, a portion of the substrate 26 adjacent to the second outer surface 16b of the aerosol-generating material 16 may also be doped to define a second conductive layer 18b. The remaining portions of the substrate are not doped and define non-conductive layers 18c, ..., 18e. The wrapper 18 may be doped with any suitable conductive particles, such as carbon-based particles or metal particles. The wrapper may also be selectively impregnated with a suitable conductive electrolyte, such as a sodium chloride-based electrolyte.

[0047] In an alternative configuration shown in Figure 10, the first conductive layer 18a may be formed on the inner surface of a non-conductive substrate 26 (e.g., a paper substrate). The first conductive layer 18a may be electrically in contact with the outer surface of the substrate 26 by one or more conductive connections (or vias) 30 that penetrate the substrate. Each conductive connection 30 includes a tube 32 that defines an opening or hole 34, which may be an air inlet that allows air to be drawn into the aerosol-generating material 16. The inner end of the tube 32 is electrically in contact with the first conductive layer 18a. The outer end of the tube 32 is electrically in contact with one or more conductive layers 36 on the outer surface of the substrate 26, defining a conductive contact pad that provides, for example, electrical contact with the first electrode 10. One or more conductive layers, including the first conductive layer 18a, may be formed on the substrate surface, for example, by partial immersion coating or by printing, for example, by printing conductive ink onto the substrate surface. Although not shown, the second conductive layer 18b may be formed in the same manner, and the article may include one or more conductive connections (or vias) 30 penetrating the substrate. The conductive connections 30 may electrically contact one or more conductive layers on the outer surface of the substrate to define a conductive contact pad that provides, for example, electrical contact with the second electrode 10.

[0048] While exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the attached claims. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0049] Unless otherwise stated herein or unless clearly inconsistent with the context, any combination of the features described above in all possible variations is encompassed by this disclosure.

[0050] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout this specification and the claims, words such as “includes” and “contains” should be interpreted inclusively, that is, “includes but not limited,” as opposed to their exclusive or exhaustive meanings.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating material (16) having a first outer surface (16a) and a second outer surface (16b) substantially opposite to the first outer surface (16a), wherein the aerosol-generating material (16) is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, and the first outer surface (16a) and the second outer surface (16b) are the surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped having the maximum surface area, A first conductive layer (18a) adjacent to the first outer surface (16a) and completely covering the first outer surface (16a), The first conductive layer (18a) is adjacent to a first electrode (8), and the first conductive layer (18a) is adjacent to the first electrode (8). The aerosol generating material (16) and the first conductive layer (18a) are part of the aerosol product (2). The first electrode (8) is part of an aerosol generating device (6) adapted to contain the aerosol product (2) when in use. The aerosol product (2) further comprises a second conductive layer (18b) adjacent to the second outer surface (16b), and the aerosol generating device (6) further comprises a second electrode (10) adjacent to the second conductive layer (18b). The aerosol generating system (1) is an aerosol generating material (16) which is part of the aerosol precursor section (12) of the aerosol product (2), and the aerosol product (2) further comprises a cooling section (14) at its proximal end, and the first electrode (8) and the first conductive layer (18a) do not overlap with the cooling section (14).

2. The aerosol generating system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the surface area of ​​the first conductive layer (18a) is greater than the surface area of ​​the first outer surface (16a).

3. The aerosol generating system (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a non-conductive wrapper (18) substantially extending around the cooling compartment (14).

4. The aerosol generating system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol product (2) further comprises a second conductive layer (18b) adjacent to the second outer surface (16b).

5. The aerosol generating system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating material (16) includes tobacco material.

6. The aerosol generating system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating material (16) is conductive.

7. The aerosol generating system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating material (16) is non-conductive.

8. The aerosol generating system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive layer (18a) comprises a non-conductive substrate (26) doped with conductive particles (28) or impregnated with a conductive electrolyte.

9. The aerosol generating system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive layer (18a) is formed on the surface of the non-conductive substrate (26).

10. The aerosol generating system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first conductive layer (18a) is electrically in contact with the opposite surface of the non-conductive substrate (26) by one or more conductive connection portions (30) extending through the non-conductive substrate (26).

11. The aerosol generating system (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first conductive layer (18a) is a partially immersion coating layer or a printed layer.

12. An aerosol-generating material (16) having a first outer surface (16a) and a second outer surface (16b) substantially opposite to the first outer surface (16a), wherein the aerosol-generating material (16) is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, and the first outer surface (16a) and the second outer surface (16b) are the surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped having the maximum surface area, A first conductive layer (18a) adjacent to the first outer surface (16a) and completely covering the first outer surface (16a), The first conductive layer (18a) is adjacent to a first electrode (8), and the first conductive layer (18a) is adjacent to the first electrode (8). The aerosol generating material (16) and the first conductive layer (18a) are part of the aerosol product (2). The first electrode (8) is part of an aerosol generating device (6) adapted to contain the aerosol product (2) when in use. The aerosol product (2) further comprises a second conductive layer (18b) adjacent to the second outer surface (16b), and the aerosol generating device (6) further comprises a second electrode (10) adjacent to the second conductive layer (18b). The aerosol generating system (1) comprises a non-conductive substrate (26) doped with conductive particles (28) or impregnated with a conductive electrolyte, wherein the first conductive layer (18a) is a non-conductive substrate (26).

13. An aerosol-generating material (16) having a first outer surface (16a) and a second outer surface (16b) substantially opposite to the first outer surface (16a), wherein the aerosol-generating material (16) is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, and the first outer surface (16a) and the second outer surface (16b) are the surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped having the maximum surface area, A first conductive layer (18a) adjacent to the first outer surface (16a) and completely covering the first outer surface (16a), The first conductive layer (18a) is adjacent to a first electrode (8), and the first conductive layer (18a) is adjacent to the first electrode (8). The aerosol generating material (16) and the first conductive layer (18a) are part of the aerosol product (2). The first electrode (8) is part of an aerosol generating device (6) adapted to contain the aerosol product (2) when in use. The aerosol product (2) further comprises a second conductive layer (18b) adjacent to the second outer surface (16b), and the aerosol generating device (6) further comprises a second electrode (10) adjacent to the second conductive layer (18b). The first conductive layer (18a) is formed on the surface of the non-conductive substrate (26), Aerosol generating system (1), wherein the first conductive layer (18a) is electrically in contact with the opposite surface of the non-conductive substrate (26) by one or more conductive connection portions (30) extending through the non-conductive substrate (26).

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