Aerosol-generating article

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol-generating article (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200) for use with an aerosol-generating device (6000) to generate an inhalable aerosol, the aerosol-generating article comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate (345, 440, 540, 640, 1810, 2010) heatable to release an aerosol or volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol; and a capsule (380, 480, 580, 1808, 1908, 2008, 2108) able to release contents from within the capsule. The article has an article length, an article width, and an article thickness, the article length and the article width being at least two times the article thickness. An aerosol-generating system is also provided.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0003] A typical aerosol-generating article may appear similar to a conventional cigarette. For example, such an aerosol-generating article may be substantially cylindrical and comprise an aerosol-forming substrate and other components such as a mouthpiece filter element and a cooling element, all arranged together in the form of a rod and wrapped in a cigarette paper. Dimensions of typical aerosolgenerating articles are often similar to the dimensions of conventional cigarettes.

[0004] However, a significant portion of the aerosol-forming substrate in these cylindrical aerosolgenerating articles may not be sufficiently heated to form an aerosol during use. This is undesirable since the insufficiently heated portion of the aerosol-forming substrate contributes to the cost of manufacture and transport of the aerosol-generating article, but does not contribute to the aerosol delivered to an end user. This may be the case regardless of the way in which the aerosol-forming substrate is heated, for example regardless of whether a resistive or inductive heater is used and regardless of whether the aerosol-forming substrate is heated from the inside or the outside. Moreover, the components of these cylindrical aerosol-generating articles normally need to have the same or very similar outer diameters so that they can be brought together, accurately positioned in co-axial alignment and wrapped in a cigarette paper. This can lead to increased cost and complexity of manufacture.

[0005] It is an aim of the present disclosure to provide an improved aerosol-generating article, for example in which a greater portion of an aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article is sufficiently heated to form an aerosol during use. It may also be an objective of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating article that can be manufactured relatively efficiently and cheaply.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article. The article may be for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an inhalable aerosol. The article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. The substrate may be heatable to release an aerosol or volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. The article may comprise a capsule. The capsule may contain capsule contents. The capsule may be able to release capsule contents from within the capsule. The article may have, or be defined by, an article length, an article width, and an article thickness. The article length may be at least two times the article thickness. The article width may be at least two times the article thickness.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an inhalable aerosol. The article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. The substrate may be heatable to release an aerosol or volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. The article comprises a capsule, optionally able to release capsule contents from within the capsule. The article has an article length, an article width, and an article thickness. The article length and the article width are each at least two times the article thickness. Advantageously, the article thickness being relatively small may reduce a temperature gradient across the article, or across the substrate of the article, during use. This may mean that a greater proportion of the substrate is able to reach a sufficiently high temperature to form an aerosol, without a significant risk of burning the substrate, compared with a thicker article or substrate.

[0008] In addition, advantageously, the presence of a capsule may allow the addition of the capsule contents to the air flowing through the article during use. This could allow, for example, the addition of a flavourant to the air flow to enhance user experience.

[0009] The aerosol-forming substrate, which may be referred to as the substrate herein, may be distinct from the capsule and distinct from the capsule contents. The substrate may be located outside of the capsule. The capsule contents may not comprise the substrate. The capsule contents may have a different composition to the substrate.

[0010] Optionally, the article length extends in an article length direction. Optionally, the article width extends in an article width direction. Optionally, the article thickness extends in an article thickness direction. Optionally, the article length direction is perpendicular to the article width direction. Optionally, the article length direction is perpendicular to the article thickness direction. Optionally, the article width direction is perpendicular to the article thickness direction. Optionally, the article length direction, the article width direction, and the article thickness direction are mutually perpendicular.

[0011] Optionally, the article length is at least 3, 4 or 5 times the article thickness. Optionally, the article width is at least 3, 4 or 5 times the article thickness. Optionally, the article length is greater than the article width.

[0012] Optionally, the article is substantially planar in shape. Optionally, the article is substantially cuboid in shape.

[0013] The article length direction may be referred to as the x direction. The article width direction may be referred to as the y direction. The article thickness direction may be referred to as the z direction. The article thickness may be referred to as the article height.

[0014] Optionally, the article comprises an upper surface, for example a substantially planar upper surface, defined by a length extending in an x direction and a width extending in a y direction. Optionally, the article comprises an lower surface, for example a substantially planar lower surface, defined by a length extending in an x direction and a width extending in a y direction. The upper surface and the lower surface may be vertically spaced from each other by a height defined in a z direction.

[0015] Aerosol-generating articles according to the present disclosure may preferably be substantially flat articles or substantially planar articles. Such articles may have a large base area relative to the volume of the article. In particular, the height of the aerosol-generating article may be less than 50 or 25 percent of both the length and width of the aerosol-generating article. Advantageously, a larger base area may provide greater surface area for heating by a planar heater of an aerosol-generating device. Advantageously, a smaller height may allow a smaller temperature gradient or difference across the height of the aerosol-generating article during heating. For example, where the base of the aerosol-generating article is in contact with, and heated by, a planar heater, there may be a smaller temperature difference between the base and an upper surface opposing the base if the spacing, or height, between the base and the upper surface is smaller. Advantageously, this may allow heating of a greater proportion of the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article to a temperature at which an aerosol is released, whilst minimising the risk of burning the hottest portion of the substrate closest to the heater. Alternatively, or in addition, this may reduce a time required to heat the aerosolforming substrate sufficiently to release an aerosol.

[0016] Optionally, the article defines a capsule cavity. Optionally, the capsule is located in the capsule cavity. A volume of the capsule cavity may be no more than 5 or 3 times a volume of the capsule.

[0017] Optionally, the article comprises a second capsule. Optionally, the second capsule is able to release second capsule contents from within the second capsule. Optionally, the article defines a second capsule cavity. Optionally, the second capsule is located in the second capsule cavity. A volume of the second capsule cavity may be no more than 5 or3 times a volume of the second capsule.

[0018] Optionally, the article comprises a third capsule. Optionally, the third capsule is able to release third capsule contents from within the third capsule. Optionally, the article defines a third capsule cavity. Optionally, the third capsule is located in the third capsule cavity. A volume of the third capsule cavity may be no more than 5 or 3 times a volume of the third capsule.

[0019] Optionally, the article comprises a fourth capsule. Optionally, the fourth capsule is able to release fourth capsule contents from within the fourth capsule. Optionally, the article defines a fourth capsule cavity. Optionally, the fourth capsule is located in the fourth capsule cavity. A volume of the fourth capsule cavity may be no more than 5 or 3 times a volume of the fourth capsule.

[0020] Advantageously, locating capsules in capsule cavities may ensure precision positioning of the capsules in the article.

[0021] Any one, two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may be substantially identical. Any two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may be different to one another, for example contain different capsule contents to one another.

[0022] Advantageously, the presence of multiple capsules may allow the addition of multiple capsule contents to the air flowing through the article during use. This could allow, for example, the addition of multiple flavourants to the air flow to enhance user experience.

[0023] Any one, two, three or all four of the capsule cavity, second capsule cavity, third capsule cavity, and fourth capsule cavity may be prismatic or cylindrical, for example right circular cylindrical, in shape. The prismatic or cylindrical shape may have a length and a transverse cross-section. The length of the prismatic or cylindrical shape may extend in the article thickness direction.

[0024] Any one, two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may be substantially spherical in shape. Advantageously, a substantially spherical capsule may rotate more easily, or rotate more easily in any direction, than other shapes.

[0025] Any one, two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may have a largest dimension, for example a diameter if substantially spherical in shape, of at least 1 , 2 or 2.5 millimetres. Any one, two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may have a largest dimension, for example a diameter if substantially spherical in shape, of no more than 5, 4 or 3.5 millimetres. Any one, two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may have a largest dimension, for example a diameter if substantially spherical in shape, of between 1 and 5, or between 2 and 4, or between 2.5 and 3.5 millimetres. Advantageously, such diameters may be sufficiently large to allow the capsule or capsules to contain sufficient capsule contents to enhance user experience without being so large so as to make rotation of the capsule difficult or so as to mean that the article must be thicker than desirable to accommodate the capsule, which could make the article uncomfortable in the hands or mouth of a user.

[0026] Any one, two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may have a largest dimension, for example a diameter if substantially spherical in shape, of at least 50, 75, 90 or 95 percent of the article thickness or height. Any one, two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may have a largest dimension, for example a diameter if substantially spherical in shape, of no more than 99, 95, 90, or 75 percent of the article thickness or height. Any one, two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may have a largest dimension, for example a diameter if substantially spherical in shape, of between 50 and 99, preferably between 75 and 99, more preferably between 75 and 95 percent of the article thickness or height. Where the article thickness or height varies, the article thickness or height referred to in this paragraph may refer to the article thickness or height at the location of the capsule in the article. Advantageously, these sizes may allow the capsule to comfortably fit within the article and, where the capsule is openable by exerting forces in the thickness direction, may make it easier to open the capsule. The sizes may also advantageously allow some room for the capsule to move as it rotates.

[0027] Any one, two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may be substantially prismatic or cylindrical, for example substantially right circular cylindrical, in shape. In the case of a substantially prismatic or cylindrical shape, the sizes of the above two paragraphs may relate to a largest dimension of the transverse cross-section of the prismatic or cylindrical shape. For example, for a substantially right circular cylindrical shape, the diameters in the previous two paragraphs may apply to the diameter of the circular cross-section of the right circular cylinder. Alternatively, or in addition, the sizes of the above two paragraphs may relate to a length of the prismatic or cylindrical shape, for example a length measured substantially perpendicular to the transverse cross-section of the prismatic or cylindrical shape. Alternatively, any one, two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may be substantially ovoid in shape. In this case, the sizes of the above two paragraphs may relate to a largest dimension of the ovoid, or to a smallest dimension of the ovoid.

[0028] Any one, two, three or all four of the capsule, second capsule, third capsule, and fourth capsule may have a shell, for example a brittle shell. Any one or more of the capsules may be configured to be ruptured by application of external force, for example be ruptured by being squeezed between surfaces of a device or of fingers of a user, or be ruptured by a piercing element of an aerosolgenerating device for use with the article, or be ruptured by heating to a certain temperature, for example to melt or partially melt the capsule or capsule shell. Any one or more of the capsules may be configured to rupture at a specific defined external force, thereby releasing the capsule contents. Any one or more of the capsules or capsule shells may comprise a portion that is weakened or more brittle compared to another portion or the rest of the capsule or shell, for example to facilitate rupture. Any one or more of the capsules may have a burst strength of between about 0.5 and 2.5 kilograms force (kgf), for example between 1 .0 and 2.0 kgf. The shell of any one or more of the capsules may comprise a suitable polymeric material, for example a gelatin based material. The shell may comprise or be formed from hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), for example. The shell of any one or more of the capsules may comprise a cellulose material or a starch material.

[0029] Optionally, the article defines a substrate cavity. Optionally, the aerosol-forming substrate is located in the substrate cavity. The aerosol-forming substrate may be referred to as the substrate herein.

[0030] Optionally, the article comprises a second aerosol-forming substrate. The second aerosolforming substrate may be referred to as the second substrate herein. Optionally, the article defines a second substrate cavity. Optionally, the second aerosol-forming substrate is located in the second substrate cavity. Advantageously, the presence of a second aerosol-forming substrate may, in some embodiments, allow mixing of certain capsule contents with the aerosol-forming substrate but not the second aerosol-forming substrate, or vice versa.

[0031] Optionally, the article comprises at least one air inlet. Optionally, the article comprises at least one air outlet. Optionally, the article defines at least one air flow path from the at least one air inlet to the at least one air outlet. Optionally, any one or more or all of the following are in the at least one air flow path: the aerosol-forming substrate; the capsule; the second capsule, if present; the third capsule, if present; the fourth capsule, if present; and the second aerosol-forming substrate, if present.

[0032] The article may be configured such that, in a first orientation, at least one first aperture forms the at least one air inlet and at least one second aperture forms the at least one air outlet, and in a second orientation different to the first orientation, the at least one first aperture forms the at least one air outlet and the at least one second aperture forms the at least one air inlet. Advantageously, this may allow the article to be used in either of the first and second orientations by the user. Also advantageously, where the article is not symmetrical, this may allow a user to choose between two different experiences, such as having the capsule upstream or downstream of the substrate.

[0033] Any one or more of the at least one substrate or at least one capsule may be upstream, downstream, or neither upstream nor downstream, of any other one or more of the at least one substrate or at least one capsule. That is, any one or more of the aerosol-forming substrate, the capsule, the second capsule if present, the third capsule if present, the fourth capsule if present, and the second aerosol-forming substrate if present, may be upstream, downstream, or neither upstream nor downstream, of any other one or more of the aerosol-forming substrate, the capsule, the second capsule if present, the third capsule if present, the fourth capsule if present, and the second aerosolforming substrate if present. Various possibly preferable options for such arrangements are set out below. As the skilled person would understand, these options are not exhaustive.

[0034] In a first arrangement, the article comprises the capsule and the substrate, where the substrate is upstream of the capsule.

[0035] In a second arrangement, the article comprises the capsule and the substrate, where the substrate is downstream of the capsule. In a third arrangement, the article comprises the capsule and the substrate, where substrate is neither upstream nor downstream of the capsule. In this case, the at least one air flow path may comprise at least a substrate air flow path from the at least one air inlet, through or past the substrate, to the at least one air outlet, and a capsule air flow path from the at least one air inlet, through or past the capsule, to the at least one air outlet.

[0036] In a fourth arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the second capsule, and the substrate, where the capsule and second capsule are both upstream of the substrate.

[0037] In a fifth arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the second capsule, and the substrate, where the capsule and second capsule are both downstream of the substrate.

[0038] In a sixth arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the second capsule, and the substrate, where the capsule is neither upstream nor downstream of the second capsule. In this case, the at least one air flow path may comprise at least a capsule air flow path from the at least one air inlet, through or past the capsule and substrate in either order, to the at least one air outlet, and a second capsule air flow path from the at least one air inlet, through or past the second capsule and substrate in either order, to the at least one air outlet. Thus, embodiments according to the sixth arrangement may or may not also be embodiments according to the fifth arrangement or the fourth arrangement.

[0039] In a seventh arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the substrate, and the second substrate, where the capsule is upstream of the substrate and the second substrate. Optionally, the substrate may be neither upstream nor downstream of the second substrate. Alternatively, the substrate may be upstream of the second substrate.

[0040] In an eighth arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the substrate, and the second substrate, where the capsule is downstream of the substrate and the second substrate. Optionally, the substrate may be neither upstream nor downstream of the second substrate. Alternatively, the substrate may be upstream of the second substrate.

[0041] In a ninth arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the second capsule, the substrate, and the second substrate, where one or both of: the capsule is upstream of the substrate, and the second capsule is upstream of the second substrate.

[0042] In a tenth arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the second capsule, the substrate, and the second substrate, where one or both of: the capsule is downstream of the substrate, and the second capsule is downstream of the second substrate.

[0043] In an eleventh arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the second capsule, the substrate, and the second substrate, where one or both of: the capsule is upstream of one or both of the substrate and the second substrate; and the second capsule is downstream of one or both of the substrate and the second substrate.

[0044] In a twelfth arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the second capsule, the third capsule, and the substrate, where the capsule is upstream of the substrate, the third capsule is downstream of the substrate, and the second capsule is any of: upstream of the substrate, downstream of the substrate, and neither upstream nor downstream of the substrate.

[0045] In a thirteenth arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the second capsule, the third capsule, the substrate, and the second substrate, where the capsule is upstream of one or both of the substrate and the second substrate, the third capsule is downstream of one or both of the substrate and the second substrate, and the second capsule is any of: upstream of one or both of the substrate and the second substrate, downstream of one or both of the substrate and the second substrate, and neither upstream nor downstream of one or both of the substrate and the second substrate.

[0046] In a fourteenth arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the second capsule, the third capsule, the fourth capsule, and the substrate, where the capsule and third capsule are upstream of the substrate, and the second capsule and fourth capsule are downstream of the substrate.

[0047] In a fourteenth arrangement, the article comprises the capsule, the second capsule, the third capsule, the fourth capsule, the substrate, and the second substrate, where the capsule is upstream of one or both of the substrate and the second substrate, the second capsule is downstream of one or both of the substrate and the second substrate, the third capsule is upstream of one or both of the substrate and the second substrate, and the fourth capsule is downstream of one or both of the substrate and the second substrate.

[0048] Optionally, in the fourteenth arrangement, the capsule is upstream of the substrate, the second capsule is downstream of the substrate, the third capsule is upstream of the second substrate, and the fourth capsule is downstream of the second substrate. Alternatively, or in addition, in the fourteenth arrangement, any one, two, or all of the following may apply: the capsule is neither upstream nor downstream of the third capsule, the substrate is neither upstream nor downstream of the second substrate, the second capsule is neither upstream nor downstream of the fourth capsule. Alternatively, or in addition, in the fourteenth arrangement, the at least one air flow path may comprise at least a first air flow path from the at least one air inlet, through or past the capsule, then through or past the substrate, then through or past the second capsule, to the at least one air outlet; and a second air flow path from the at least one air inlet, through or past the third capsule, then through or past the second substrate, then through or past the fourth capsule, to the at least one air outlet.

[0049] Optionally, in use, air flowing through the at least one air flow path causes the capsule to rotate. Optionally, in use, air flowing through the at least one air flow path causes any one or more or all of the capsule, the second capsule if present, the third capsule if present, and the fourth capsule if present, to rotate.

[0050] Any one or more or all of the capsule, the second capsule, the third capsule, and the fourth capsule, if present, may have a centre which is offset from the or each central path along the at least one air flow path. Any one or more or all of the capsule, the second capsule, the third capsule, and the fourth capsule, if present, may be offset from the or each central path along the at least one air flow path, for example such that air flow along the at least one air flow path is directed across a first side of the respective capsule or capsules more than an opposing second side of the respective capsule or capsules. This may advantageously encourage the capsule or capsules to rotate during use. As an example, the article may comprise an air inlet and an air outlet substantially aligned at opposing ends of the length of the article, for example such that one could draw a straight line from a centre of the air inlet to the centre of the air outlet substantially in the length direction of the article. But the capsule, or capsules, may be misaligned with the air inlet and air outlet, or this straight line, such that a centre of the capsule or capsules is offset from this straight line in the y or z direction. This may encourage rotation of the capsule or capsules, for example about the y or z direction.

[0051] Optionally, the at least one air inlet comprises a first air inlet and a second air inlet. Optionally, the at least one air flow path comprises a first air inlet air flow path from the first air inlet to the at least one air outlet and a second air inlet air flow path from the second air inlet to the at least one air outlet.

[0052] Optionally, air flowing along the air flow path from the first air inlet to the at least one air outlet causes or encourages the capsule to rotate, and air flowing along the air flow path from the second air inlet to the at least one air outlet causes or encourages the capsule to rotate. Advantageously, the use of two or more different air flow paths to cause or encourage the capsule to rotate may result in more rotation than if only one air flow path were used. Alternatively, or in addition, advantageously, the use of two or more different air flow paths to cause or encourage the capsule to rotate may help to balance the capsule as it rotates, for example by providing an air flow over the top of the capsule as well as an air flow under the bottom of the capsule.

[0053] Optionally, the first air inlet is located in or on a first surface of the article, and the second air inlet is located in or on a second surface of the article different to, for example opposing, the first surface. Advantageously, this may be a straightforward way to provide two air flow paths.

[0054] Optionally, the article defines a first air flow path from the at least one air inlet, substantially tangentially across a first portion of an outer surface of the capsule in a first direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in a capsule rotation direction, to the at least one air outlet. Optionally, the article defines a second air flow path from the at least one air inlet, substantially tangentially across a second portion of the outer surface of the capsule in a second direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction, to the at least one air outlet. Advantageously, the use of two or more different air flow paths to cause or encourage the capsule to rotate may result in more rotation than if only one air flow path were used and may help to balance the capsule as it rotates, for example by providing an air flow over the top of the capsule as well as an air flow under the bottom of the capsule.

[0055] Optionally, the first portion of the outer surface of the capsule is different to, for example substantially diametrically opposed to, the second portion of the outer surface of the capsule. The first portion of the outer surface of the capsule being substantially diametrically opposed to the second portion of the outer surface of the capsule may be particularly advantageous for balancing the capsule during rotation.

[0056] Optionally, the first direction is different to, for example substantially opposed to, the second direction. The first direction being substantially opposed to the second direction may be particularly advantageous for balancing the capsule during rotation.

[0057] Optionally, the first air flow path is from the first air inlet. Optionally, the second air flow path is from the second air inlet.

[0058] Optionally, the first air flow path enters the capsule cavity through a capsule cavity first entrance. Optionally, the second air flow path enters the capsule cavity through a capsule cavity second entrance different to the capsule cavity first entrance. Optionally, the first air flow path exits the capsule cavity through a capsule cavity first exit. Optionally, the second air flow path exits the capsule cavity through a capsule cavity second exit different to the capsule cavity first exit. Advantageously, the use of different entrances or exits may provide a straightforward way to direct the air flow across the capsule as desired.

[0059] One or both of the capsule cavity first entrance and the capsule cavity first exit may, in use, direct air flowing through the first air flow path substantially tangentially across the first portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the first direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction. One or both of the capsule cavity second entrance and the capsule cavity second exit may, in use, direct air flowing through the second air flow path substantially tangentially across the second portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the second direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction.

[0060] The capsule cavity first entrance may, in use, direct air flow into the capsule cavity in a capsule cavity first entrance direction that is optionally substantially tangential to a first surface of the capsule cavity. This may encourage swirling air flow within the capsule cavity during use. The capsule cavity first exit may, in use, direct air flow out of the capsule cavity in a capsule cavity first exit direction that is optionally substantially tangential to a second surface, which may be the same or different to the first surface, of the capsule cavity. The capsule cavity first entrance direction and the capsule cavity first exit direction may be the same or different. However, preferably, air flow into the capsule cavity first entrance and out of the capsule cavity first exit both encourage swirling air flow in the capsule cavity in the same swirling direction in use. This swirling airflow may encourage rotation of the capsule, for example in the capsule rotation direction, in use.

[0061] The capsule cavity second entrance may, in use, direct air flow into the capsule cavity in a capsule cavity second entrance direction that is optionally substantially tangential to a third surface of the capsule cavity. This may encourage swirling air flow within the capsule cavity during use. The capsule cavity second exit may, in use, direct air flow out of the capsule cavity in a capsule cavity second exit direction that is optionally substantially tangential to a fourth surface, which may be the same or different to the third surface, of the capsule cavity. The capsule cavity second entrance direction and the capsule cavity second exit direction may be the same or different. However, preferably, air flow into the capsule cavity second entrance and out of the capsule cavity second exit both encourage swirling air flow in the capsule cavity in the same swirling direction in use. This swirling air flow may encourage rotation of the capsule, for example in the capsule rotation direction, in use.

[0062] As the skilled person would understand after reading this disclosure, the above features relating to air flow across the capsule, and air flow through the capsule cavity, may equally be applicable to air flow across any one or more of the second, third and fourth capsules, and air flow through any one or more of the second, third and fourth capsule cavities, where present. As an example, each respective capsule cavity present may have its own first and optionally also second entrance for air flow into the respective capsule cavity, and may have its own first and optionally also second exit for air flow out of the respective capsule cavity, and the air flow through these entrances and exits may be as described above with reference to the capsule cavity.

[0063] Optionally, the article comprises a frame. Optionally, the frame comprises an upper frame portion. Optionally, the frame comprises a lower frame portion. The upper frame portion may be located above the lower frame portion in the article thickness direction. The frame may be a unitary component. Alternatively, the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion may be discrete components. The upper frame portion may be attached, for example adhered, to the lower frame portion.

[0064] Optionally, the frame comprises a middle frame portion. At least a portion of the middle frame portion may be located between at least a portion of the upper frame portion and at least a portion of the lower frame portion. The upper frame portion may be located above one or both of the middle frame portion and the lower frame portion in the article thickness direction. The frame may be a unitary component. Alternatively, any two or all three of the upper frame portion, the middle frame portion and the lower frame portion may be discrete components. The upper frame portion may be attached, for example adhered, to the middle frame portion. The middle frame portion may be attached, for example adhered, to the lower frame portion.

[0065] Any one, two or each of the upper frame portion, the middle frame portion and the lower frame portion may each have a thickness of between 0.2 and 4, for example between 0.5 and 2, for example between 0.5 and 1.5, millimetres. This thickness may be measured in the article thickness direction. This thickness may be a smallest dimension of the frame portion or portions.

[0066] The frame, or each frame portion, may comprise or be formed from a cellulosic material, paper or cardboard.

[0067] Optionally, the middle frame portion defines the at least one air inlet or at least an air inlet of the at least one air inlet. Optionally, the middle frame portion defines the at least one air outlet or an air outlet of the at least one air outlet.

[0068] Optionally, at least a portion of the upper frame portion defines at least a portion of the first air flow path. Optionally, at least a portion of the lower frame portion defines at least a portion of the second air flow path.

[0069] Optionally, the upper frame portion comprises an upper frame portion air flow guide. The upper frame portion air flow guide configured to encourage air flow from the at least one air inlet to travel substantially tangentially across the first portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the first direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in a capsule rotation direction. The upper frame portion air flow guide may define one or both of the capsule cavity first entrance and the capsule cavity first exit.

[0070] Optionally, the lower frame portion comprises a lower frame portion air flow guide. The lower frame portion air guide may be configured to encourage air flow from the at least one air inlet to travel substantially tangentially across the second portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the second direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction. The lower frame portion air guide may define one or both of the capsule cavity second entrance and the capsule cavity second exit.

[0071] Optionally, the upper frame portion at least partially defines a portion of the first air flow path which extends into or out of the capsule cavity and which directs or encourages air flow substantially tangentially across the first portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the first direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction. Optionally, the lower frame portion at least partially defines a portion of the second air flow path which extends into or out of the capsule cavity and which directs or encourages air flow substantially tangentially across the second portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the second direction, which is different to the first direction, to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction.

[0072] Advantageously, the use of the upper and lower frame portions as set out above may provide a straightforward way to direct the air flow across the capsule as desired.

[0073] Optionally, any one or more or all of the capsule, the second capsule, the third capsule, and the fourth capsule, if present, is openable to release or allow the release of capsule contents therefrom.

[0074] Optionally, any one or more or all of the capsule, the second capsule, the third capsule, and the fourth capsule, if present, is openable, or configured to be opened, by one or more of: application of opposed, compressive forces acting in the article thickness direction, for example between fingers of a user or between clamping surfaces of an aerosol-generating device with which the article is usable; application of opposed, compressive forces acting in the article width direction, for example between fingers of a user or between clamping surfaces of an aerosol-generating device with which the article is usable; heating, optionally to melt a shell of the capsule or capsules, optionally to at least 50, 75 or 100 degrees Celsius, optionally by a heater of an aerosol-generating device with which the article is usable; and piercing, optionally by a piercing mechanism of an aerosol-generating device with which the article is usable.

[0075] Alternatively, optionally, the capsule does not need to be opened in order to release the capsule contents. For example, the capsule may be an open capsule prior to use of the article with the device. In this case, the capsule contents may be released simply by causing the capsule to rotate.

[0076] The at least one air flow path may be defined through the article in an x / y plane from one side of the article to the other side of the article. The article preferably has a resistance to draw (RTD) of less than 20 millimetre H2O, for example less than 10 millimetre H2O, in the direction of the airflow path. Preferably, the article has a RTD of less than 20 millimetre H2O, for example less than 10 millimetre H2O, in at least one direction in an x / y plane of the article. Advantageously, an article with a low resistance air flow path may allow for superior air flow management and allow aerosol to be extracted more efficiently from the article and guided to a user.

[0077] Unless otherwise specified, the resistance to draw (RTD) is measured in accordance with ISO 6565-2015. The RTD refers to the pressure required to force airthrough the full length of a component, such as the aerosol-generating article. The terms “pressure drop” or “draw resistance” of a component or article may also refer to the “resistance to draw”. Such terms generally refer to the measurements made in accordance with ISO 6565-2015 and are normally carried out at under test at a volumetric flow rate of about 17.5 millilitres per second at the output or downstream end of the measured component at a temperature of about 22 degrees Celsius, a pressure of about 101 kPa (about 760 Torr) and a relative humidity of about 60%.

[0078] The aerosol-generating article may comprise substantially planar upper and lower surfaces. A vertical separation between the substantially planar upper and lower surfaces may define a height (for example, a thickness or z dimension) of the article. At least a portion of the at least one air flow path may be defined between the substantially planar upper and lower surfaces. The height of the article may be less than 7, 5 or 4 millimetres. The height of the article may be at least 1 , 2 or 2.5 millimetres. The height of the article may be between 1 and 7 millimetres, for example between 1 .5 millimetres and 5 millimetres, for example between 1 .5 millimetres and 4 millimetres, for example between 2 millimetres and 4 millimetres, for example between 2.5 millimetres and 4 millimetres. One or both of the substantially planar upper and lower surfaces may comprise an aerosol-forming material. The article may comprise upper and lower layers, the upper layer forming the substantially planar upper surface and the lower layer forming the substantially planar lower surface. At least one of the upper and lower layers may comprise or consist of aerosol-forming material. Any one or more or all of the capsule, the second capsule, the third capsule, the fourth capsule, the substrate and the second substrate may be located between the upper and lower surfaces.

[0079] The article may comprise a corrugated layer. The article may comprise a first planar layer, a second planar layer, and a corrugated layer arranged between the first planar layer and the second planar layer. At least one of the first planar layer, the second planar layer and the corrugated layer may comprise or consist of an aerosol-forming material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise or be the corrugated layer. The substrate may comprise or be the first planar layer. The substrate or second substrate may comprise or be the second planar layer. The capsule may be arranged in a channel of the corrugated layer.

[0080] The use of a corrugated structure in the aerosol-generating article may advantageously allow the production of an aerosol-generating article that has extremely low RTD while still being sufficiently rigid to for a user to handle. Further, use of a corrugated structure may allow a low density, low RTD, aerosol-generating article to be produced using high speed production methods similar to those used for production of corrugated cardboard.

[0081] The article may comprise a first planar external surface, a second planar external surface, a cavity and the frame. The frame may be positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The frame may at least partially define the cavity. The at least one air flow path may extending from the at least one air inlet, through the cavity, to the at least one air outlet. The cavity may comprise any one or more or all of the capsule cavity, the second capsule cavity, the third capsule cavity, the fourth capsule cavity, the substrate cavity and the second substrate cavity.

[0082] Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The substrate may be positioned in the cavity. The corrugated layer may be positioned in the cavity.

[0083] The frame may comprise a peripheral wall at least partially circumscribing or encircling the cavity. The frame may comprise a peripheral wall wholly circumscribing or encircling the cavity. Advantageously, the frame may allow the aerosol-generating article to be relatively thin whilst maintaining structural rigidity.

[0084] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first planar external layer and a second planar external layer, in which the first planar external layer forms the first planar external surface and the second planar external layer forms the second planar external surface. Optionally, at least one of the first planar external layer, the second planar external layer, and the frame may comprise or consist of aerosol-forming substrate.

[0085] The cavity may be substantially empty. Advantageously, this may reduce a resistance to draw of the article.

[0086] The frame may be a substantially planar frame. The frame may have a height between 50 percent and 100 percent of the height of the article. The frame may have a height between 50 percent and 95 percent of the height of the article. The frame may have a height between 60 percent and 95 percent of the height of the article. The frame may have a height between 70 percent and 95 percent of the height of the article. The frame may have a height between 80 percent and 95 percent of the height of the article.

[0087] The frame may have a height of at least 1 , 1 .5 or 2 millimetres. The frame may have a height of no more than 7, 5 or 4 millimetres. The frame may have a height between 1 and 7 millimetres, 1 and 5 millimetres, 1 and 4 millimetres, 1.5 and 7 millimetres, 1.5 and 5 millimetres, 1.5 and 4 millimetres, 2 and 7 millimetres, 2 and 5 millimetres, or 2 and 4 millimetres. The frame may have a height between 1.5 millimetres and 4 millimetres

[0088] The frame may be made from or comprise a biodegradable material. The frame may be made entirely from a biodegradable material.

[0089] The frame may be made from or comprise a cellulosic material. The cellulosic material may comprise one or more sheets or layers of cellulosic material. The cellulosic material may comprise cellulose fibres. The cellulosic material may be paper, paperboard, or cardboard. The frame may be made from or comprise a plant material, such as tobacco. The frame may be made entirely from a cellulosic material.

[0090] The frame may be a unitary component. Alternatively, the frame may comprise two or more layers, such as the upper and lower frame portions described earlier. That is, the frame may have a laminated structure.

[0091] The aerosol-generating article may have an article length of at least 10, 12, 14, 16 or 18 millimetres. The article may have an article length of no more than 100, 10, 40, 30, 26, 24, or 22 millimetres. The article may have an article length (for example, an x dimension) of between 10 millimetres and 100 millimetres, or between 10 millimetres and 50 millimetres, for example between 10 millimetres and 40 millimetres, for example between 12 millimetres and 30 millimetres, for example between 14 millimetres and 26 millimetres, for example between 16 millimetres and 24 millimetres, for example between 18 millimetres and 22 millimetres, for example about 18 millimetres, or about 19 millimetres, or about 20 millimetres, or about 21 millimetres, or about 22 millimetres.

[0092] The aerosol-generating article may have an article width of at Ieast 5, 8, 10, 11 or 12 millimetres. The article may have an article width of no more than 20, 18, 16, 15, or 14 millimetres. The article may have an article width (for example, a y dimension) of between 5 millimetres and 20 millimetres, for example between 8 millimetres and 18 millimetres, for example between 10 millimetres and 16 millimetres, for example between 11 millimetres and 15 millimetres, for example between 12 millimetres and 14 millimetres, for example about 13 millimetres. The aerosol-generating article may have an article height of at least 1 , 1.2, 1.4, 1.7, 2 or 2.5 millimetres. The article may have an article height of no more than 7, 6, 5, 4.5, 4, or 3.5 millimetres. The aerosol-generating article may have a height (for example, a z dimension) of between 1 millimetres and 10 millimetres, for example between 1.2 millimetres and 8 millimetres, for example between 1.4 millimetres and 7 millimetres, for example between 1.6 millimetres and 6 millimetres, for example between 1.7 millimetres and 5 millimetres, for example about 2 millimetres, or about 3 millimetres, or about 4 millimetres.

[0093] The aerosol-generating article when viewed in plan may have a shape defining a polygon, a quadrilateral (for example, a rectangle or a square), an oval, a circle, or a combination thereof. Where the aerosol-generating article comprises substantially planar upper and lower surfaces, one or both of the upper and lower surfaces when viewed in plan may have a shape defining a polygon, a quadrilateral (for example, a rectangle or a square), an oval, a circle, or a combination thereof. A perimeter of the aerosol-generating article when viewed in plan may be formed of a plurality of straight sides, a plurality of curved sides, or a combination of straight and curved sides. Where the aerosolgenerating article comprises substantially planar upper and lower surfaces, a perimeter of one or both of the upper and lower surfaces when viewed in plan may have a shape defining a polygon, a quadrilateral (for example, a rectangle or a square), an oval, a circle, or a combination thereof.

[0094] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. Nicotine may be present in the form of a tobacco material or may be in the form of a nicotine extract.

[0095] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more organic materials such as tobacco, mint, tea and cloves. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco such as cast leaf, extruded tobacco, expanded tobacco, aerosol-generating films and gel compositions. The aerosolforming substrate may comprise or consist of homogenised tobacco material, for example a reconstituted tobacco material or a cast leaf tobacco material.

[0096] The aerosol-forming substrate may be in the form of shredded aerosol-generating material. The shredded aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more of: strips and strands of aerosolgenerating material, such as strips and strands of tobacco or homogenised tobacco material. The shredded aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a shredded sheet of homogenised tobacco material.

[0097] The aerosol-forming substrate may be or comprise cut filler. The aerosol-forming substrate may be comprise tobacco cut filler. The cut filler may comprise one or more of bright tobacco, dark tobacco, aromatic tobacco and filler tobacco. Examples of bright tobaccos are Flue-Cured Brazil, Indian Flue- Cured, Chinese Flue-Cured, US Flue-Cured such as Virginia tobacco, and Flue-Cured from Tanzania. Examples of aromatic tobaccos are Oriental Turkey, Greek Oriental, semi-oriental tobacco but also Fire Cured, US Burley, such as Perique, and Rustica. Examples of dark tobacco are Dark Cured Brazil Galpao, Burley Malawi or other African Burley, Sun Cured or Air Cured Indonesian Kasturi. As used herein, the term “cut filler” is used to describe a blend of shredded plant material, such as tobacco plant material, including, in particular, one or more of leaf lamina, processed stems and ribs, homogenised plant material. The aerosol-forming substrate may be in the form of a sheet of aerosol-generating material. As used herein, the term “sheet” describes a laminar element having a width and length substantially greater, for example at least 2, 5 or 10 times greater, than the thickness thereof. The sheet of aerosolgenerating material may be a sheet of plant material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a sheet of tobacco material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a sheet of homogenised tobacco material, such as a cast leaf sheet.

[0098] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a bound collection of strips, strands or particles of tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may be in the form of a compressed plug of tobacco material; for example, in which a plug having a substantially circular cross-section in an initial state of the plug is compressed into a flatter cross-sectional profile in a subsequent state of the plug. The tobacco material may be enclosed by a wrapper. The aerosol-forming substrate may be in the form of strips, strands or particles of tobacco material bound together in a binder matrix.

[0099] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more aerosol-formers. Suitable aerosolformers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, one or more aerosol-formers selected from: polyhydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1 , 3-butanediol and glycerine; 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. It may be particularly preferable for the aerosol-former to be or comprise one or both of glycerine and propylene glycol. The aerosol former may consist of glycerine or propylene glycol or of a combination of glycerine and propylene glycol.

[0100] The aerosol-forming substrate may have an aerosol-former content greater than or equal to 1 , 2, 5, 10, or 15 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-forming substrate may have an aerosol-former content greater than or equal to 15 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, for example greater than 20 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 25 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 30 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 40 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 50 by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0101] The aerosol-forming substrate may have an aerosol-former content less than or equal to 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, less than or equal to 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, or less than or equal to 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. That is, the aerosolgenerating material may have an aerosol-former content less than or equal to 30 by weight on a dry weight basis, less than or equal to 25 by weight on a dry weight basis, or less than or equal to 20 by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0102] The aerosol-forming substrate may have an aerosol-former content between 1 percent and 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, between 1 percent and 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, or between 1 percent and 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0103] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least 50 percent by weight of aerosol former, at least 60 percent by weight of aerosol former, or at least 70 percent by weight of aerosol former.

[0104] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise less than or equal to 85 percent by weight of aerosol former, less than or equal to 80 percent by weight of aerosol former, or less than or equal to 75 percent by weight of aerosol former. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise between 50 percent and 85 percent by weight of aerosol former, between 50 percent and 80 percent by weight of aerosol former, or between 50 percent and 75 percent by weight of aerosol former.

[0105] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise natural nicotine, or synthetic nicotine, or a combination of natural nicotine and synthetic nicotine.

[0106] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least 0.5 percent by weight of nicotine, at least 1 percent by weight of nicotine, at least 1 .5 percent by weight of nicotine, or at least 2 percent by weight of nicotine.

[0107] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more flavourants. The one or more flavourants may comprise one or more of: one or more essential oils such as eugenol, peppermint oil and spearmint oil; one or both of menthol and eugenol; one or both of anethole and linalool; and a herbaceous material. Suitable herbaceous material includes herb leaf or other herbaceous material from herbaceous plants including, but not limited to, mints, such as peppermint and spearmint, lemon balm, basil, cinnamon, lemon basil, chive, coriander, lavender, sage, tea, thyme, and caraway. The one or more flavourants may comprise a tobacco material.

[0108] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more botanicals. For example, the aerosolforming substrate may comprise about 1 to 90 %, for example about 15 to 55 %, preferably of about 20 to 35 %, of botanicals such as Clove, Echinacea sp., Fennel, Ginger, Hawthorn berry, Elderberry, Monarda, Mullein leaves, Nettle, Plantain, Turmeric, Yarrow, Rooibos, Star Anise, Thyme, Anethum, Chamomile and compounds of those.

[0109] The aerosol-forming substrate may have a moisture content of about 5 to 25%, preferably of about 7 to 15%, at final product state. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may be a homogenised tobacco material with a moisture of about 5 to 25%, preferably of about 7 to 15%, at final product state.

[0110] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a binder. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise about 1 to 10%, preferably of about 1 to 5%, of a binder such as any of common gums or pectins used in food and beverage (F&B) industries. Preferred binders may be natural pectins, such as fruit, for example citrus, or tobacco pectins; guar gums, land locust bean gums, such as hydroxyethyl and / or hydroxypropyl of those; starches, such as modified or derivatized starches; alginate; methyl, ethyl, ethylhydroxymethyl and carboxymethyl, celluloses; dextran; and xanthan gum. A preferable binder is guar.

[0111] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise, or consist of, a solid aerosol-forming material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a liquid aerosol-forming material, for example a liquid aerosol-forming material retained within a porous matrix. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a gel aerosol-forming material.

[0112] All of the features above relating to the aerosol-forming substrate, such as what the aerosolforming substrate may comprise, are equally applicable to the second aerosol-forming substrate. The substrate and the second substrate may have substantially identical or different compositions. For example, the substrate and the second substrate may comprise different flavourants. The capsule may contain capsule contents. The capsule may comprise a capsule shell. The capsule shell may contain capsule contents. The capsule may contain, for example the capsule contents may comprise, a solid, such as a powder, for example a nicotine-containing powder. Advantageously, a solid, such as a powder, may be less likely to leak from the capsule compared to a liquid or gel.

[0113] The capsule may contain, for example the capsule contents may comprise, a material which is a gel or liquid at 100 degrees Celsius or at 50 degrees Celsius or at 20 degrees Celsius. The gel or liquid may be or comprise an aerosol-forming material. The gel or liquid may comprise volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol during use, for example upon heating to above a certain temperature. Advantageously, a capsule may be able to hold a greater mass of liquid or gel capsule contents compared with a powder, for example because there may be less empty space in the capsule. Advantageously, a gel may be less likely to leak compared to a liquid.

[0114] The capsule may be located in or adjacent to a porous retention medium of the article. This may be particularly advantageous if the capsule contains a gel or a liquid.

[0115] During use, capsule contents may be released from the capsule, and the capsule contents or compounds thereof may be entrained in air flow through the article and delivered to a user.

[0116] The above paragraphs relating to the capsule and the capsule contents are equally applicable to the second, third and fourth capsules and their capsule contents.

[0117] Where the article comprises multiple capsules, those capsules may be identical or different. For example, the article may comprise the capsule and the second capsule, and the capsule may contents may comprise solid material such as a powder, for example as described above, and the second capsule contents may comprise a liquid or gel at 100, 50 or 20 degrees Celsius, for example as described above. This may advantageously allow a variety of different components to be delivered to a user, for example components from a powder, a liquid or gel, and from an aerosol-forming substrate, all from one convenient article.

[0118] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system. The system may comprise an aerosol-generating article as described herein, for example according to the first aspect. The system may comprise an aerosol-generating device for use with the aerosolgenerating article to generate an inhalable aerosol.

[0119] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article according to the first aspect and an aerosol-generating device for use with the aerosol-generating article to generate an inhalable aerosol.

[0120] Optionally, the aerosol-generating device comprises a heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article. The heater may comprise an electrically resistive heating element. The heater may comprise an infrared heating element. The heater may comprise an inductor, such as an inductor coil. The inductor may be configured to generate an alternating electromagnetic field to heat susceptor material. The susceptor material may be located in the alternating electromagnetic field. The device may comprise the susceptor material, or the article may comprise the susceptor material, or both the article and the device may each comprise some susceptor material. Optionally, the aerosol-generating device comprises an opening means for opening the capsule to allow the capsule to release capsule contents from within the capsule. The opening means may comprises any one or more of: a heater; a clamping mechanism; and a piercing mechanism.

[0121] The device may comprise a cavity dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the aerosolgenerating article. The device may comprise a heater, a power source for supplying power to the heater, and a controller to control supply of power to the heater. In use, the aerosol-generating device, for example the heater of the device, may be configured to heat one or both of the substrate and the second substrate, for to form an aerosol, for example an inhalable aerosol.

[0122] The aerosol-generating device may preferably be configured to receive the entirety of the aerosolgenerating article such that the aerosol-generating article is wholly enclosed within the aerosol-generating device.

[0123] The cavity may comprise an opening into which a distal end of the aerosol-generating article can be inserted. The cavity may have any suitable cross-sectional shape. For example, the cavity may have a rectangular transverse cross-section, for example a rectangular cross-section having opposing top and bottom sides that are greater in length than left and right sides.

[0124] Preferably, at least one internal surface of the cavity is a heating surface configured to heat the article. The heater may comprise the heating surface.. The inductor coil mentioned previously may be arranged to generate an alternating or fluctuating electromagnetic field within a space of the cavity. The heating surface may be a surface that is permeable to a fluctuating electromagnetic field, such that an inductor arranged outside the cavity can project a fluctuating electromagnetic field through the heating surface to engage with a susceptor arranged within the cavity.

[0125] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” may refer to an article able to generate, or release, an aerosol.

[0126] As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” may refer to a substrate capable of releasing an aerosol or volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aerosol-forming material. An aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated, or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support. An aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or smoking article.

[0127] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” may refer to a device for use with an aerosol-generating article to enable the generation, or release, of an aerosol.

[0128] As used herein, the term “aerosol generating system” refers to a combination of an aerosolgenerating device and one or more aerosol-forming articles for use with the device. An aerosolgenerating system may include additional components, such as a charging unit for recharging an onboard electric power supply in an electrically operated or electric aerosol-generating device.

[0129] As used herein, the term “aerosol former” may refer to any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of an aerosol. The aerosol may be a dense and stable aerosol. The aerosol may be substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate or aerosol-generating article.

[0130] As used herein, the term “nicotine”, is used to describe nicotine, nicotine base or a nicotine salt. As used herein, the terms “proximal”, “distal”, “upstream” and “downstream” are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating article, for example during use.

[0131] As used herein, the term “longitudinal” refers to the direction corresponding to the main longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article, which extends between the upstream and downstream ends of the aerosol-generating article. During use, air may be drawn through the aerosolgenerating article in the longitudinal direction.

[0132] As used herein, describing a first component as downstream of a second component should be interpreted as at least a portion of the first component is downstream of at least a portion of the second component. Thus, it may or may not be the case that the entirety of the first component is downstream of the entirety of the second component.

[0133] Similarly, describing a first component as upstream of a second component should be interpreted as at least a portion of the first component is upstream of at least a portion of the second component. Thus, it may or may not be the case that the entirety of the first component is upstream of the entirety of the second component.

[0134] Similarly again, describing a first component as neither upstream nor downstream of a second component should be interpreted as at least a portion of the first component is neither upstream nor downstream of at least a portion of the second component. Thus, it may or may not be the case that the entirety of the first component is neither upstream nor downstream of the entirety of the second component.

[0135] Where a first component (or at least a portion of a first component) is described herein as being upstream, downstream, or neither upstream nor downstream, of a second component and a third component (or of at least a portion of a second component and at least a portion of a third component), this should be interpreted to mean that at least a first portion of the first component is upstream, downstream, or neither upstream nor downstream, of a portion of the second component, and at least a second portion, which may be the same or different to the first portion, of the first component is upstream, downstream, or neither upstream nor downstream, of a portion of the third component. So, as an example, a statement herein that the at least a portion of the substrate may be downstream of at least a portion of the capsule and at least a portion of the second capsule should be interpreted to mean that at least a first portion of the substrate may be downstream of at least a portion of the capsule and at least a second portion of the substrate, which may be the same or different to the first portion of the substrate, may be downstream of at least a portion of the second capsule.

[0136] As used herein, the term “sheet” denotes a laminar element having a width and length substantially greater than the thickness thereof. The width of a sheet may be greater than 10 mm, preferably greater than 20 mm or 30 mm. In certain embodiments, sheets of material for use in forming aerosol-forming substrates as described herein may have a thickness of between 10 pm and about 1000 pm, for example between 10 pm and about 300 pm.

[0137] As used herein, the term “homogenised tobacco material” encompasses any tobacco material formed by the agglomeration of particles of tobacco material. Sheets or webs of homogenised tobacco material are formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco obtained by grinding or otherwise powdering of one or both of tobacco leaf lamina and tobacco leaf stems. In addition, homogenised tobacco material may comprise a minor quantity of one or more of tobacco dust, tobacco fines, and other particulate tobacco by-products formed during the treating, handling and shipping of tobacco. The sheets of homogenised tobacco material may be produced by casting, extrusion, paper making processes or other any other suitable processes known in the art.

[0138] The term “cast leaf’ is used herein to refer to a product made by a casting process that is based on casting a slurry comprising plant particles (for example, clove particles or tobacco particles and clove particles in a mixture) and a binder (for example, guar gum) onto a supportive surface, such as a belt conveyor, drying the slurry and removing the dried sheet from the supportive surface. An example of the casting or cast leaf process is described in, for example, US-A-5,724,998 for making cast leaf tobacco. In a cast leaf process, particulate plant materials are produced by pulverizing, grinding, or comminuting parts of the plant. The particles produced from one or more plants are mixed with a liquid component, typically water, to form a slurry. Other components in the slurry may include fibres, a binder and an aerosol former. The particulate plant materials may be agglomerated in the presence of the binder. The slurry is cast onto a supportive surface and dried into a sheet of homogenized plant material. Preferably, homogenized plant material used in articles according to the present invention may be produced by casting. Such homogenized plant material may comprise agglomerated particulate plant material.

[0139] As used herein, resistance to draw is expressed with the units of pressure “mm H2O” or “mm WG” or “mm of water gauge” and may be measured in accordance with ISO 6565:2002.

[0140] The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0141] Example Ex1 . An aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an inhalable aerosol, the aerosol-generating article comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate, optionally heatable to release an aerosol or volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol; a capsule, optionally able to release capsule contents from within the capsule; wherein the article has an article length, an article width, and an article thickness, the article length and the article width being at least two times the article thickness.

[0142] Example Ex2. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex1 , wherein the article length extends in an article length direction, the article width extends in an article width direction, and the article thickness extends in an article thickness direction, and wherein the article length direction, the article width direction, and the article thickness direction are mutually perpendicular.

[0143] Example Ex3. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the article length and the article width are at least 3, 4 or 5 times the article thickness.

[0144] Example Ex4. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the article is substantially cuboid in shape. Example Ex5. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the article defines a capsule cavity and the capsule is located in the capsule cavity.

[0145] Example Ex6. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the article defines a substrate cavity and the aerosol-forming substrate is located in the substrate cavity.

[0146] Example Ex7. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the article comprises a second aerosol-forming substrate and defines a second substrate cavity, and wherein the second aerosol-forming substrate is located in the second substrate cavity.

[0147] Example Ex8. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the article comprises a second capsule, the article defines a second capsule cavity, and the second capsule is located in the second capsule cavity.

[0148] Example Ex9. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the article comprises a third capsule, the article defines a third capsule cavity, and the third capsule is located in the third capsule cavity.

[0149] Example ExI O.An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the article comprises a fourth capsule, the article defines a fourth capsule cavity, and the fourth capsule is located in the fourth capsule cavity.

[0150] Example Ex11.An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the article comprises at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet, and the article defines at least one air flow path from the at least one air inlet to the at least one air outlet, optionally wherein any one or more or all of the following are in the at least one air flow path: the aerosol-forming substrate; the capsule; the second capsule, if present; the third capsule, if present; the fourth capsule, if present; and the second aerosol-forming substrate, if present.

[0151] Example Ex12.An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is upstream of at least a portion of the capsule.

[0152] Example Ex13.An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex1 to Ex11 , wherein at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is downstream of at least a portion of the capsule.

[0153] Example Ex14.An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex1 to Ex11 , wherein at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is neither upstream nor downstream of at least a portion of the capsule.

[0154] Example Ex15.An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex1 to Ex11 , wherein the article comprises a second capsule.

[0155] Example Ex16.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex15, wherein at least a portion of the capsule is upstream of at least a portion of the second capsule.

[0156] Example Ex17.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex15 or Ex16, wherein at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is downstream of at least a portion of the capsule and upstream of at least a portion of the second capsule.

[0157] Example Ex18.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex15, wherein at least a portion of the capsule is neither upstream nor downstream of at least a portion of the second capsule. Example Ex19.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex15 or Ex18, wherein at least a portion of the capsule and at least a portion of the second capsule are upstream of at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0158] Example Ex20.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex15 or Ex18, wherein at least a portion of the capsule and at least a portion of the second capsule are downstream of at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0159] Example Ex21 . An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex1 to Ex11 , wherein the article comprises a second capsule and a second aerosol-forming substrate.

[0160] Example Ex22. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex21 , wherein at least a portion of the capsule is upstream of at least a portion of the second capsule.

[0161] Example Ex23.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex21 or Ex22, wherein at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is downstream of at least a portion of the capsule and upstream of at least a portion of the second capsule.

[0162] Example Ex24.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex21 or Ex22 or Ex23, wherein at least a portion of the second aerosol-forming substrate is downstream of at least a portion of the capsule and upstream of at least a portion of the second capsule.

[0163] Example Ex25. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex21 , wherein at least a portion of the capsule is neither upstream nor downstream of at least a portion of the second capsule.

[0164] Example Ex26.An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex21 to Ex25, wherein at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is neither upstream nor downstream of at least a portion of the second aerosol-forming substrate.

[0165] Example Ex27. An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex1 to Ex11 , wherein the article comprises a second capsule, a third capsule, and a fourth capsule.

[0166] Example Ex28. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex27, wherein at least a portion of the capsule is upstream of at least a portion of the second capsule, and at least a portion of the third capsule is upstream of at least a portion of the fourth capsule.

[0167] Example Ex29.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex27 or Ex28, wherein one or both of at least a portion of the capsule and at least a portion of second capsule is neither upstream nor downstream of one or both of at least a portion of the third capsule and at least a portion of the fourth capsule.

[0168] Example Ex30. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex27 or Ex28 or Ex29, wherein at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is downstream of one or both of at least a portion of the capsule and at least a portion of third capsule, and at least a portion of the aerosolforming substrate is upstream of one or both of at least a portion of the second capsule and at least a portion of the fourth capsule.

[0169] Example Ex31 . An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex1 to Ex11 , wherein the article comprises a second capsule, a third capsule, a fourth capsule, and a second aerosolforming substrate. Example Ex32. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex31 , wherein at least a portion of the capsule is upstream of at least a portion of the second capsule, and at least a portion of the third capsule is upstream of at least a portion of the fourth capsule.

[0170] Example Ex33.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex31 or Ex32, wherein one or both of at least a portion of the capsule and at least a portion of the second capsule is neither upstream nor downstream of one or both of at least a portion of the third capsule and at least a portion of the fourth capsule.

[0171] Example Ex34.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex31 or Ex32 or Ex33, wherein at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is downstream of at least a portion of the capsule and upstream of at least a portion of the second capsule, and at least a portion of the second aerosol-forming substrate is downstream of at least a portion of the third capsule and upstream of at least a portion of the fourth capsule.

[0172] Example Ex35. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex31 or Ex32 or Ex33 or Ex34, wherein at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is neither upstream nor downstream of at least a portion of the second aerosol-forming substrate.

[0173] Example Ex36.An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein, in use, air flowing through the at least one air flow path causes the capsule to rotate.

[0174] Example Ex37. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex11 or any preceding example when dependent on example Ex11 , wherein the at least one air inlet comprises a first air inlet and a second air inlet.

[0175] Example Ex38. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex37, wherein the at least one air flow path comprises a first air inlet air flow path from the first air inlet to the at least one air outlet and a second air inlet air flow path from the second air inlet to the at least one air outlet.

[0176] Example Ex39.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex37 or Ex38, wherein air flowing along the first air inlet air flow path causes or encourages the capsule to rotate, and air flowing along the second air inlet air flow path causes or encourages the capsule to rotate.

[0177] Example Ex40.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex37 or Ex38 or Ex39, wherein the first air inlet is located in or on a first surface of the article, and the second air inlet is located in or on a second surface of the article different to, for example opposing, the first surface.

[0178] Example Ex41 . An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex11 or any preceding example when dependent on example Ex11 , wherein the article defines: a first air flow path from the at least one air inlet, substantially tangentially across a first portion of an outer surface of the capsule in a first direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in a capsule rotation direction, to the at least one air outlet; and a second air flow path from the at least one air inlet, substantially tangentially across a second portion of the outer surface of the capsule in a second direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction, to the at least one air outlet.

[0179] Example Ex42. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex41 , wherein the first portion of the outer surface of the capsule is different to, for example substantially diametrically opposed to, the second portion of the outer surface of the capsule. Example Ex43. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex41 or Ex42, wherein the first direction is different to, for example substantially opposed to, the second direction.

[0180] Example Ex44. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex41 or Ex42 or Ex43, when dependent on example Ex37, wherein the first air flow path is from the first air inlet, and the second air flow path is from the second air inlet.

[0181] Example Ex45.An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the article comprises a frame.

[0182] Example Ex46.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex45, wherein the frame comprises an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion, and optionally also a middle frame portion, optionally wherein at least a portion of the middle frame portion is located between the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion.

[0183] Example Ex47. An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex46 when dependent on example Ex41 , wherein at least a portion of the upper frame portion defines at least a portion of the first air flow path.

[0184] Example Ex48. An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex46 to Ex47 when dependent on example Ex41 , wherein at least a portion of the lower frame portion defines at least a portion of the second air flow path.

[0185] Example Ex49.An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex46 to Ex48 when dependent on example Ex41 , wherein the upper frame portion comprises an upper frame air flow guide configured to encourage air flow from the at least one air inlet to travel substantially tangentially across the first portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the first direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in a capsule rotation direction.

[0186] Example Ex50.An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex46 to Ex49 when dependent on example Ex41 , wherein the lower frame portion comprises a lower frame air flow guide configured to encourage air flow from the at least one air inlet to travel substantially tangentially across the second portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the second direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction.

[0187] Example Ex51 . An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex46 to Ex50 when dependent on example Ex41 , wherein: the article defines a capsule cavity; the capsule is located in the capsule cavity; the upper frame portion at least partially defines a portion of the first air flow path which extends into or out of the capsule cavity and which directs or encourages air flow substantially tangentially across the first portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the first direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction; and the lower frame portion at least partially defines a portion of the second air flow path which extends into or out of the capsule cavity and which directs or encourages air flow substantially tangentially across the second portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the second direction, which is different to the first direction, to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction. Example Ex52.An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the capsule is openable by one or more of: application of opposed, compressive forces acting in the article thickness direction, for example between fingers of a user or between clamping surfaces of an aerosol-generating device with which the article is usable; application of opposed, compressive forces acting in the article width direction, for example between fingers of a user or between clamping surfaces of an aerosol-generating device with which the article is usable; heating, optionally to melt a shell of the capsule or capsules, optionally to at least 50, 75 or 100 degrees Celsius, optionally by a heater of an aerosol-generating device with which the article is usable; and piercing, optionally by a piercing mechanism of an aerosol-generating device with which the article is usable.

[0188] Example Ex53. An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex1 to Ex51 , wherein the capsule is an open capsule prior to use of the article with the device.

[0189] Example Ex54.An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example, wherein the capsule is substantially spherical.

[0190] Example Ex55.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex54, wherein the capsule has a diameter of at least 1 , 1 .5, 2 or 2.5 millimetres.

[0191] Example Ex56.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex54 or Ex55, wherein the capsule has a diameter of no more than 6, 5, or 4 millimetres.

[0192] Example Ex57.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex54, wherein the capsule has a diameter of between 1 and 6, 1 and 5, 1 and 4, 1 .5 and 6, 1 .5 and 5, 1 .5 and 4, 2 and 6, 2 and 5, 2 and 4, 2.5 and 6, 2.5 and 5, or 2.5 and 4 millimetres.

[0193] Example Ex58. An aerosol-generating article according to any of examples Ex1 to Ex53, wherein the capsule is substantially cylindrical, for example substantially right circular cylindrical, in shape.

[0194] Example Ex59.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex58, wherein a cross-section of the cylindrical capsule has a largest dimension, for example diameter if the capsule is right circular cylindrical, of at least 1 , 1.5, 2 or 2.5 millimetres.

[0195] Example Ex60.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex54 or Ex55, wherein a crosssection of the cylindrical capsule has a largest dimension, for example diameter if the capsule is right circular cylindrical, of no more than 6, 5, or 4 millimetres.

[0196] Example Ex61.An aerosol-generating article according to example Ex54, wherein a cross-section of the cylindrical capsule has a largest dimension, for example diameter if the capsule is right circular cylindrical, of between 1 and 6, 1 and 5, 1 and 4, 1 .5 and 6, 1 .5 and 5, 1 .5 and 4, 2 and 6, 2 and 5, 2 and 4, 2.5 and 6, 2.5 and 5, or 2.5 and 4 millimetres.

[0197] Example Ex62.An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article according to any preceding example and an aerosol-generating device for use with the aerosol-generating device to generate an inhalable aerosol. Example Ex63.An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex62, wherein the aerosolgenerating device comprises a heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosolgenerating article.

[0198] Example Ex64.An aerosol-generating system according to example Ex62 or Ex63, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises an opening means for opening the capsule to allow the capsule to release capsule contents from within the capsule.

[0199] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

[0200] Figure 1 is a perspective side view of an aerosol-generating article according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0201] Figure 2 is a perspective side view of an aerosol-generating article according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0202] Figure 3 is a schematic end view of an aerosol-generating article according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0203] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the aerosol-generating article of figure 3;

[0204] Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the aerosol-generating article of figure 3;

[0205] Figure 6 shows a schematic illustration of a corrugated element as used in the aerosolgenerating article of figure 3;

[0206] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0207] Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the aerosol-generating article of figure 7;

[0208] Figure 9 shows a further exploded perspective view of the aerosol-generating article of figure 7;

[0209] Figure 10 shows a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating article of figure 7;

[0210] Figure 11 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating article of figure 7;

[0211] Figure 12 shows an exploded perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0212] Figure 13 shows a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating article of figure 12;

[0213] Figure 14 shows a schematic lateral cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating article of figure 12.

[0214] Figure 15 shows a schematic view of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the device configured to engage with an aerosol-generating article, for example the aerosol-generating article of any of figures 1 to 14;

[0215] Figure 16 shows a schematic end view of the aerosol-generating device of figure 15;

[0216] Figure 17 is a schematic view showing an aerosol-generating article (for example, the aerosolgenerating article of any of figures 1 to 14) in engagement with the aerosol-generating device of figure 15;

[0217] Figure 18 shows an exploded view of an aerosol-generating article according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 19 shows an exploded view of an aerosol-generating article according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0218] Figure 20 shows an exploded view of an aerosol-generating article according to a eighth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0219] Figure 21 shows an exploded view of an aerosol-generating article according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0220] Figure 22 shows an exploded view of an aerosol-generating article; according to a tenth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0221] Figure 23 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment to that of figures 15 to 17, showing an aerosol-generating article in engagement with an aerosol-generating device.

[0222] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective side view of an aerosol-generating article 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol-generating article 100 has upper and lower surfaces 110, 120 which are flat or planar.

[0223] The aerosol-generating article 100 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate (not shown) and a capsule (not shown) embedded and completely surrounded on all sides by the aerosol-forming substrate. In this embodiment, the capsule is positioned roughly centrally in the article 100. The aerosol-forming substrate may be enclosed within an interior of the aerosol-generating article 100. The aerosol-forming substrate may at least partially define an exterior of the aerosol-generating article 100; for example, one or both of the upper and lower surfaces 110, 120 may comprise or consist of aerosol-forming substrate.

[0224] A suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be homogenised tobacco.

[0225] The aerosol-generating article 100 has a length, extending in an x dimension, of 80 millimetres, a width, extending in a y dimension, of 15 millimetres, and a height (which may also be referred to as a thickness), extending in a z dimension, of 3.6 millimetres.

[0226] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective side view of an aerosol-generating article 200 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, being a variant of aerosol-generating article 100. Features in common with aerosol-generating article 100 are referred to with like reference signs but commencing with numeral 2 instead of numeral 1 . An air flow path 230 is defined through the aerosolgenerating article 200 between the upper and lower surfaces 210, 220. The air flow path 230 extends between opposed first and second ends 201 , 202 of the aerosol-generating article 200. The first end 201 may define a distal end of the aerosol-generating article 200, and the second end 202 may define a proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating article. The air flow path 230 may be directed towards a mouth of a user to allow a user to inhale aerosol generated in consequence of heating of aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article 200.

[0227] The capsule is initially sealed. At any point during use of the article 200, a user may pinch or operated an aerosol-generating device to pinch, the article 200 either side of the capsule, on the upper and lower surfaces 210, 220, so as to apply a compressive force to the capsule in the z direction and rupture, or open, the capsule. This allows the capsule contents, in this embodiment liquid menthol flavourant, to be released from the capsule. This liquid menthol flavouring may initially be absorbed by the surrounding substrate but is ultimately evaporated because of the heating and the air flow through the article 200. The evaporated flavourant is then entrained in the air flow through the article 200 and delivered to the user. In other embodiments, the capsule contents may be a gel at around 20 degrees Celsius.

[0228] Figures 3, 4, and 5 illustrate respectively an end view, a side view, and a plan view of an aerosolgenerating article 300 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosolgenerating article 300 comprises a planar upper layer 310, a planar lower layer 320, and an intermediate or separation layer 340 arranged between the upper layer 310 and lower layer 320.

[0229] The planar upper layer 310 is formed from a sheet of paper having a thickness of 300 microns. The planar lower layer 320 is formed from a sheet of paper having a thickness of 300 microns. The intermediate layer 340 is a corrugated element formed from a corrugated sheet of aerosol-forming substrate 345. A suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be homogenised tobacco. Thus, the intermediate layer 340 may be formed from a corrugated sheet of homogenised tobacco material 345.

[0230] The article 300 also comprises a spherical capsule 380 containing capsule contents. In this embodiment the capsule contents comprise nicotine powder. The capsule 380 has a diameter of around 2.5 millimetres and is wedged in a channel of the corrugated element. Optionally, the capsule 380 may be adhered to the corrugated element. The capsule 380 would not be visible in the view in Figure 4 but has nonetheless been illustrated in a dotted line to indicate its roughly central position along the length of the article 300.

[0231] Figure 6 illustrates the corrugated sheet of aerosol-forming substrate 345. The corrugations have an amplitude 346 of 3 millimetres and a wavelength 347 of 3 millimetres. The sheet of aerosolforming substrate 345 forming the intermediate layer 340 has a thickness of 150 microns.

[0232] Points of intersection 351 , 352 between the upper layer 310 and the intermediate layer 340 and between the lower layer 320 and the intermediate layer 340 comprise an adhesive that joins the respective layers.

[0233] The aerosol-generating article 300 has a length, extending in an x dimension, of 80 millimetres, a width, extending in a y dimension, of 15 millimetres, and a height (or thickness), extending in a z dimension, of 3.6 millimetres.

[0234] Corrugations of the intermediate layer 340 form a first set of longitudinally extending channels 361 that are bounded by the upper layer 310 and the intermediate layer 340, and a second set of longitudinally extending channels 362 bounded by the lower layer 320 and the intermediate layer 340. The first and second sets of longitudinally extending channels 361 , 362 extend through the length of the aerosol-forming substrate between a proximal end 371 of the substrate 345 and a distal end 372 of the substrate 345. The longitudinally extending channels 361 , 362 define an air-flow path through the substrate 345. The air-flow path, therefore, passes over both sides of the sheet of aerosol-forming substrate 345. The porosity of the aerosol-generating article along the air-flow path is in the region of 90 %. This provides a very low resistance to draw (RTD) of less than 5 mm H2O. In fact, the RTD is close to zero.

[0235] The aerosol-forming substrate 345 may be a sheet of any suitable aerosol-forming substrate.

[0236] During use of the aerosol-generating article 300, the aerosol-forming substrate 345 is heated up to cause the aerosol-forming substrate 345 to release volatile compounds, which are then entrained in air drawn into the channels 361 , 362 via the distal end 372. The volatile compounds then cool and condense to form an aerosol which may be drawn out of the channels 361 , 362 of the aerosolgenerating article 300 via the proximal end 371.

[0237] The capsule 380 is initially sealed. At any point during use of the article 300, a user may pinch the article 300 either side of the capsule 380, on the planar upper and lower surfaces 310, 320, so as to apply a compressive force to the capsule 380 in the z direction and rupture, or open, the capsule 380. This allows the capsule contents, the nicotine powder, to be released from the capsule 380 and entrained in air flow through the article 300. If the capsule 380 were not accessible whilst the article 300 is being used with a device, a user could rupture the capsule 380 before engaging the article 300 with the device, or, during use, briefly remove the article 300, rupture the capsule 380, then return the article 300 to the device.

[0238] Figure 7 shows an aerosol-generating article 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol-generating article 400 comprises a first planar external layer 424 forming a first planar external surface 421 , a second planar external layer 425 forming a second planar external surface 422, and a frame 450 positioned between the first planar external layer 424 and the second planar external layer 425. The second planar external surface 422 is positioned parallel to the first planar external surface 421 .

[0239] Figures 8 and 9 show exploded views of the aerosol-generating article 400 of figure 7. The frame 450 circumscribes and at least partially defines a cavity 430. Figure 8 shows the cavity 430 in an empty state. Figure 9 shows the cavity 430 filled with aerosol-forming substrate 440 and a capsule 480. Figures 10 and 11 show respective transverse and longitudinal cross-sectional views of the aerosolgenerating article 400 when the cavity 430 is filled with aerosol-forming substrate 440 and the capsule 480. The capsule 480 is embedded and completely surrounded on all sides by the aerosol-forming substrate 440 so would not be visible but is illustrated by a dashed line in Figures 9 to 11. In this embodiment, the capsule 480 is substantially spherical, with a diameter of about 5 millimetres, and is positioned roughly centrally in the article 400.

[0240] The first planar external layer 424 and the second planar external layer 425 are made from cigarette paper having a thickness of 35 micrometres and are in physical contact, with and bonded to, the frame 450. The first planar external layer 424 overlies a first end of the cavity 430 and forms a first cavity end wall 431 . The second planar external layer 425 overlies a second end of the cavity 430 and forms a second cavity end wall 432, the second cavity end wall 432 being opposite to the first cavity end wall 431 . That is, the frame 450, the first planar external layer 424 and the second planar external layer 425 collectively define the cavity 430.

[0241] The frame 450 has a hollow cuboid shape and is made from cardboard. The frame 450 defines an aperture extending through the height (also referred to as the thickness) of the frame 450 and the aperture at least partially forms the cavity 430 of the aerosol-generating article 400. The frame 450 comprises a peripheral wall 451 that circumscribes the cavity 430. The peripheral wall 451 includes a front wall 413 and a back wall 414. In more detail, the peripheral wall 451 is defined by an inner transverse surface 452 of the frame 450 and an outer transverse surface 453 of the frame 450. The inner transverse surface 452 of the peripheral wall 451 at least partially defines a perimeter of the cavity 430. The outer transverse surface 453 of the peripheral wall 451 at least partially defines a perimeter of the aerosol-generating article 400. The peripheral wall 451 has a radial thickness measured between the inner transverse surface 452 of the frame 450 and the outer transverse surface 453 of the frame 450 of about 5 millimetres.

[0242] An air inlet 411 and an air outlet 412 are defined by, and extend through, the peripheral wall 451 of the frame 450. More specifically, the air inlet 411 extends through the front wall 413 and the air outlet 412 extends through the back wall 414. The air inlet 411 and the air outlet 412 have an equivalent diameter of 5 millimetres. An airflow passage extends between the air inlet 411 and the air outlet 412 through the cavity 430. As shown in figures 9 to 11 , an aerosol-forming substrate 440 is positioned within the cavity 430. The aerosol-forming substrate 440 comprises an aerosol-generating material in the form of tobacco cut filler and has an aerosol-former content of 5 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. As shown, the aerosol-forming substrate 440 fills the entire volume of the cavity 430 other than the volume occupied by the capsule 480.

[0243] The aerosol-generating article 400 has a cuboid shape and has a height (or thickness) extending in a z dimension, as measured between the first planar external surface 421 and the second planar external surface 422, of 8 millimetres, a width extending in a y dimension of 40 millimetres and a length extending in an x dimension of 60 millimetres. The frame 450 has a height (or thickness) extending in a z dimension of 7.93 millimetres, a width extending in a y dimension of 40 millimetres and a length extending in an x dimension of 60 millimetres. The cavity 430 has a height (or thickness) extending in a z dimension of 7.93 millimetres, a width extending in a y dimension of 30 millimetres and a length extending in an x dimension of 50 millimetres.

[0244] Figure 12 shows an aerosol-generating article 500 according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. Features in common with aerosol-generating article 400 are referred to with like reference signs but commencing with numeral 5 instead of numeral 4. Aerosol-generating article 500 differs from aerosol-generating article 400 in that the aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a sheet of aerosol-generating material 540, in particular a corrugated sheet of homogenised tobacco material, and the capsule 580 of Figure 5. The capsule 580 has a diameter of around 1 .5 millimetres. Figures 13 and 14 show respective transverse and lateral cross-section views of the aerosol-generating article 500 of figure 12. The capsule 580 would not be visible in Figure 14 but has been illustrated with a dashed line to indicate its position in the article 500.

[0245] The corrugated sheet of homogenised tobacco material 540 comprises a plurality of parallel corrugations having a plurality of substantially parallel peaks 543 and troughs 544. The plurality of parallel corrugations are defined by a corrugation profile which, as seen in figure 13, is sinusoidal. The plurality of parallel corrugations have a corrugation wavelength of about 4.6 millimetres. The corrugation amplitude is approximately the same as the height (or thickness) of the cavity 430, as shown by the peaks 543 and troughs 544 coinciding with the first cavity end wall 531 and the second cavity end wall 532, respectively.

[0246] The plurality of parallel corrugations form a plurality of channels 545 between the sheet of aerosol-generating material 540 and the first cavity end wall 531 , and a plurality of channels 546 between the sheet of aerosol-generating material 540 and the second cavity end wall 532. The plurality of channels 545, 546 extend in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article 500 and form at least a portion of the airflow passage extending between the air inlet 511 and the air outlet 512.

[0247] During use of each of the aerosol-generating articles 400, 500, the aerosol-forming substrate 440, 540 is heated up to cause the aerosol-forming substrate 440, 540 to release volatile compounds, which are then entrained in air drawn through the air inlet 411 , 511 into the cavity 430, 530. The volatile compounds then cool and condense to form an aerosol which may be drawn out of the aerosolgenerating article 400, 500 through the air outlet 412, 512. Also, the shells of the capsules 480, 580 melt upon heating to a certain temperature, in these embodiments a temperature of around 100 degrees Celsius, so as to release capsule contents from therewithin. The capsule contents could be, for example, one or more flavourants.

[0248] Figures 15 and 16 illustrate an aerosol-generating device 6000 configured for use with an aerosol-generating article 600 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate 640 and a capsule (not shown) positioned roughly centrally in the article 600. The device 6000 is an elongate aerosol-generating device extending between a proximal end 6001 and a distal end 6002. The device 6000 comprises a battery 6010, a controller 6020 and a heater 6030 located within a housing 6040. The controller 6020 controls supply of power from the battery 6010 to the heater 6030. A cavity 6050 is defined in the device 6000, the cavity having an opening 6051 defined in the proximal end 6001 of the device. The opening 6051 is rectangular in shape and is dimensioned to accommodate the transverse crosssection of the aerosol-generating article 600. The cavity 6050 comprises an upper planar surface 6052 and a lower planar surface 6053. The heater 6030 is located in the lower planar surface 6053 to heat a lower surface of the aerosol-generating article 600 inserted into the cavity 6050. An air-flow path is configured to allow air to flow into the cavity 6050 from outside the device 6000. For example, the device 6000 could have an air flow path from a device air inlet in a side of the device 6000 to a device air outlet in a base of the cavity 6050 of the device 6000. Alternatively, a groove could be present running longitudinally down one or more of the surfaces forming the cavity 6050, and then across the base of the cavity 6050, such that, in use, air is able to flow from outside the device 6000, down the groove between the surface forming the cavity 6050 and an external surface of the article 600 to the base of the cavity 6050, and then into the air inlet of the article 600.

[0249] Figure 17 illustrates the device 6000 of figure 15 in engagement with the aerosol-generating article 600. There is little tolerance between outer surfaces of the aerosol-generating article 600 and the internal surfaces of the cavity 6050. Thus, there is a snug fit between the aerosol-generating article 600 and the device 6000. As the RTD of the aerosol-generating article 600 is negligible, the RTD of the system formed by the combination of aerosol-generating article 600 and aerosol-generating device 6000 is controlled by the air-flow path defined within the device.

[0250] Use of the article 600 with the device 600 may be as follows. First, a user may pinch the article either side of the capsule between the top and bottom surfaces of the article 600 so as to rupture the capsule and allow its contents to be released. Then, the user may insert the article 600 into the cavity 6050, and the device 6000 can be operated. The heater 6030 heats a lower surface of the article 600, and as a result the substrate 640 of the article 600 is heated. Volatile components of the substrate 640 are evaporated and condense in longitudinal air-flow channels defined within the article 600 to form an aerosol. The user inhales the aerosol by drawing on the proximal or mouth end 601 of the article 600. This results in air flow through the article. This air flow may also entrain the capsule contents for delivery to the user. Once the substrate 640 of the aerosol-generating article 600 has been depleted of volatile components, the ting article is removed from the cavity 6050 of the device 6000 and disposed of. The article 600 may be any one of the aerosol-generating articles 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 previously described or any other aerosol-generating article of the present disclosure.

[0251] In some embodiments, the heater of the device 6000 could, in use, melt a shell of a capsule or capsules of an article being used with the device 6000 so as to rupture the capsule or capsules and allow the capsule or capsules to release their capsule contents. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the device 6000 could be configured to rupture one or more capsules of an article engaged with the device 6000. For example, the device 6000 could have a piercing mechanism or clamping mechanism (not shown) positioned such that, when operated by a user, the mechanism pierces or clamps the capsule or capsules respectively, so as to rupture the capsule or capsules and allow them to release their capsule contents.

[0252] Figure 18 shows an exploded view an aerosol-generating article 1800. Air flow direction through the article in use is indicated by arrows. However, given the substantially symmetrical structure of the article, the article could be placed into a device in an opposite orientation, reversing the mouth and distal ends of the article, and thus the air flow direction through the article in use. The article 1800 comprises a planar upper layer 1802, a planar lower layer 1804, a frame 1806, a capsule 1808, an aerosol-forming substrate 1810 downstream of the capsule 1808, and a second capsule 1812 downstream of the substrate 1810.

[0253] The planar upper and lower layers 1802, 1804 are made from cigarette paper and each have a thickness of around 35 micrometres.

[0254] The frame 1806 defines an air inlet 1814 and an air outlet 1816. The frame 1806 also at least partially defines a capsule cavity 1818 within which the capsule 1808 is located, a substrate cavity 1820 within which the substrate 1810 is located, and a second capsule cavity 1822 within which the second capsule 1812 is located.

[0255] The frame 1806 comprises an upper frame portion 1824, a middle frame portion 1826, and a lower frame portion 1828. Each of these three frame portions are substantially planar. To form the article 1800, components are adhered together as follows. An upper surface of the upper frame portion 1824 is adhered to a perimeter of a lower surface of the planar upper layer 1802. An upper surface of the middle frame portion 1826 is adhered to a lower surface of the upper frame portion 1824. A lower surface of the middle frame portion is adhered to an upper surface of the lower frame portion 1828. A lower surface of the lower frame portion 1828 is adhered to a perimeter of an upper surface of the planar lower layer 1804.

[0256] As can be seen in Figure 18, the middle frame portion 1826 defines the air inlet 1814 and the outlet 1816. All three frame portions 1824, 1826, 1828 together at least partially define the capsule cavity 1818, the substrate cavity 1820 and the second capsule cavity 1822.

[0257] The frame 1806 is made from cardboard. Each of the three frame portions 1824, 1826, 1828 has a thickness of around 1 millimetre, giving the frame a thickness of around 3 millimetres in total, and the article 1800 a thickness of around 3.07 millimetres in total. The article is substantially cuboid in shape and has a length of around 22 millimetres and a width of around 13 millimetres.

[0258] The aerosol-forming substrate 1810 is a plug of homogenised tobacco material. In other embodiments, the substrate comprises susceptor material, for example aluminium foil, or has a susceptor material attached thereto, for example aluminium foil attached to a bottom surface of the substrate, so as to allow inductive heating by an inductor in an aerosol-generating device.

[0259] The capsule 1808 contains a nicotine powder and the second capsule 1812 contains a flavourant powder. Both capsules 1808 and 1812 are initially sealed. The capsule 1808 is openable by a user by pinching the article 1800 between the planar upper and lower layers 1802, 1804, above and below the capsule 1808, so as to apply a compressive force to the capsule 1808 as the article deforms slightly, and thus rupture the capsule 1808. The second capsule 1812 is similarly openable by a user pinching the article 1800 between the planar upper and lower layers 1802, 1804, above and below the capsule 1812.

[0260] In use, a user may first pinch the article 1800 to rupture the capsule 1808, then pinch the article 1800 to rupture the second capsule 1812, then insert the article 1800 into a device such as the device 6000 of Figures 15-17. Then, use of the article 1800 with the device 6000 is similar to use of the previously described article 600 with the device 6000, as explained below.

[0261] When a user has inserted the aerosol-generating article 1800 into the cavity 6050, the device 6000 can be operated. The heater 6030 heats a lower surface of the article 1800, and as a result the aerosol-forming substrate 1810 of the article 1800 is heated. The substrate is heated to around 150 degrees Celsius in this embodiment, such that volatile components of the substrate 1810 are evaporated and condense within the article 1800 to form an aerosol. The user draws on the proximal end of the article 1800 to provide an air flow through the article 1800, specifically into the article 1800 through the air inlet 1814, then through the capsule cavity 1818, then through the substrate cavity 1820, then through the second capsule cavity 1822, then out of the article 1800 through the air outlet 1816 and to the user. This air flow may agitate, or cause rotation of, the capsule 1808 and second capsule 1812 so as to cause the capsules 1808, 1812 to release their capsule contents into the air flow. These capsule contents, along with the evaporated and condensed volatile compounds of the substrate 1810, are entrained in the air flow through the article 1800, and delivered to the user through the article air outlet 1816. Once the substrate 1810 of the article 1800 has been depleted of volatile components, the article is removed from the cavity 6050 of the device 6000 and disposed of.

[0262] Figure 19 shows an exploded view of an aerosol-generating article 1900. This article 1900 is identical to the article 1800 of Figure 18 except for the differences explained below.

[0263] Similarly to the article 1800 of Figure 18, the article 1900 of Figure 19 comprises a frame 1906 comprising an upper frame portion 1924, a middle frame portion 1926 and a lower frame portion 1928. However, these frame portions 1924, 1926, 1928 have different shapes to those of the article 1800 of Figure 18, so as to provide a capsule cavity 1918 and a second capsule cavity 1922 which are not longitudinally aligned with the air inlet 1914 and the air outlet 1916. This means that the capsule 1908 and second capsule 1912 are offset from the centre of the air flow path from the air inlet 1914 to the air outlet 1916, such that air flow along the air flow path is directed across a first side of each capsule more than an opposing second side of each capsule. This may advantageously encourage the capsules to rotate during use. In this embodiment, the air flow will encourage the capsule 1908 to rotate clockwise about an upwards-directed axis, and the second capsule 1912 to rotate anticlockwise about an upwards-directed axis. Only the upper and lower frame portions 1924, 1928 have the shape configured to retain the capsule 1908 in the capsule cavity 1918 and the second capsule 1912 in the second capsule cavity 1922. Thus, air can flow easily into and out of the capsule cavity 1918 and second capsule cavity 1922 when in line with the middle frame portion 1926.

[0264] Figure 20 shows an exploded view an aerosol-generating article 2000. Air flow direction through the article in use is indicated by arrows. However, given the substantially symmetrical structure of the article, the article could be placed into a device in an opposite orientation, reversing the mouth and distal ends of the article, and thus the air flow direction through the article in use. The article 2000 comprises a planar upper layer 2002, a planar lower layer 2004, a frame 2006, a capsule 2008, an aerosol-forming substrate 2010 downstream of the capsule 2008, a second capsule 2012 downstream of the substrate 2010, a third capsule 2013, a second aerosol-forming substrate 2015 downstream of the third capsule 2013, and a fourth capsule 2017 downstream of the second substrate 2015.

[0265] The planar upper and lower layers 2002, 2004 are made from cigarette paper and each have a thickness of around 35 micrometres.

[0266] The frame 2006 defines a first air inlet 2014, a second air inlet 2019, a first air outlet 2016, and a second air outlet 2021 . The frame 2006 also at least partially defines a capsule cavity 2018 within which the capsule 2008 is located, a substrate cavity 2020 within which the substrate 2010 is located, and a second capsule cavity 2022 within which the second capsule 2012 is located. The frame 2006 also at least partially defines a third capsule cavity 2023 within which the third capsule 2013 is located, a second substrate cavity 2025 within which the second substrate 2015 is located, and a fourth capsule cavity 2027 within which the fourth capsule 2017 is located.

[0267] The article 2000 defines two distinct, parallel air flow paths - a first air flow path through the first air inlet 2014, then through the first capsule cavity 2018, then through the substrate cavity 2020, then through the second capsule cavity 2022; and a second air flow path through the second air inlet 2019, then through the third capsule cavity 2023, then through the second substrate cavity 2025, then through the fourth capsule cavity 2027. In use, because of the shapes of the frame 2006, air cannot flow from the first air flow path to the second air flow path, or vice versa. Thus, each of the capsule 2008, the substrate 2010 and the second capsule 2012 is neither upstream nor downstream of each of the third capsule 2013, the second substrate 2015, and the fourth capsule 2017.

[0268] The frame 2006 comprises an upper frame portion 2024, a middle frame portion 2026, and a lower frame portion 2028. Each of these three frame portions are substantially planar. To form the article 2000, components are adhered together as described with respect to the article 1800 of Figure 18.

[0269] As can be seen in Figure 20, the middle frame portion 2026 defines the first and second air inlets and outlets 2014, 2019, 2016, 2021 . All three frame portions 2024, 2026, 2028 together at least partially define the capsule and substrate cavities 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2027. The frame 2006 is made from cardboard. Each of the three frame portions 2024, 2026, 2028 has a thickness of around 1 millimetre, giving the frame a thickness of around 3 millimetres in total, and the article 2000 a thickness of around 3.07 millimetres in total. The article is substantially cuboid in shape and has a length of around 22 millimetres and a width of around 13 millimetres.

[0270] The substrate 2010 and second substrate 2015 could have different compositions but in this embodiment have identical compositions and are plugs of homogenised tobacco material.

[0271] Each of the four capsules contains a flavourant powder and is initially sealed. The capsules are each openable by a user by pinching the article 2000 between the planar upper and lower layers 2002, 2004, above and below each capsule, so as to apply a compressive force to each capsule as the article deforms slightly, and thus rupture each capsule.

[0272] In use, a user may first pinch the article 2000 four times in the correct four locations to rupture the four capsules 1808, then insert the article 2000 into a device such as the device 6000 of Figures 15-17. Then, use of the article 2000 with the device 6000 is similar to use of the previously described article 1900 with the device 6000, as explained below.

[0273] When a user has inserted the aerosol-generating article 2000 into the cavity 6050, the device 6000 can be operated. The heater 6030 heats a lower surface of the article 2000, and as a result the aerosol-forming substrate 2010 and second aerosol-forming substrate 2015 of the article 2000 are heated. The substrates 2010, 2015 are heated to around 150 degrees Celsius in this embodiment, such that volatile components of the substrates 2010, 2015 are evaporated and condense within the article 2000 to form an aerosol. The user draws on the proximal end of the article 2000 to provide an air flow through the article 2000, specifically along the first and second air flow paths described earlier. This air flow may agitate, or cause rotation of, each of the four capsules so as to cause the capsules to release their capsule contents into the air flow. These capsule contents, along with the evaporated and condensed volatile compounds of the substrate 1810, are entrained in the air flow through the article 2000, and delivered to the user through the article air outlets 2016, 2021 . Once the substrates 2010, 2015 of the article 2000 are depleted of volatile components, the article 2000 is removed from the cavity 6050 of the device 6000 and disposed of.

[0274] As the skilled person would understand after reading this disclosure, in other embodiments, any one or more of the capsules or substrates of the embodiment shown in Figure 20 could be omitted, leaving the respective cavity or cavities empty.

[0275] Also as the skilled person would understand after reading this disclosure, in other embodiments, certain cavities could easily be placed in fluid connection with one another. For example, any one, two or all of the following:

[0276] • The first capsule cavity 2018 could be placed in fluid communication with the third capsule cavity 2023;

[0277] • The substrate cavity 2020 could be placed in fluid communication with the second substrate cavity 2025; and

[0278] The second capsule cavity 2022 could be placed in fluid communication with the fourth capsule cavity 2027. Each of the above three options could be achieved, for example, by modifying the embodiment of Figure 20 by removing the dividing wall between the two respective cavities in any one, two, or all of the upper frame portion 2024, the middle frame portion 2026, and the lower frame portion 2028.

[0279] Figure 21 shows an exploded view an aerosol-generating article 2100. Air flow direction through the article in use is indicated by arrows. However, given the substantially symmetrical structure of the article, the article could be placed into a device in an opposite orientation, reversing the mouth and distal ends of the article, and thus the air flow direction through the article in use. The article 2100 comprises a planar upper layer 2102, a planar lower layer 2104, a frame 2106, a capsule 2108, an aerosol-forming substrate 2110 downstream of the capsule 2108, and a second capsule 2112 downstream of the substrate 2110.

[0280] The planar upper and lower layers 2102, 2104 are made from cigarette paper and each have a thickness of around 35 micrometres.

[0281] The frame 2106 defines an air inlet 2114 and an air outlet 2116. The frame 2106 and planar upper and lower layers 2102, 2104 together define a capsule cavity 2118 within which the capsule 2108 is located, a substrate cavity 2120 within which the substrate 2110 is located, and a second capsule cavity 2122 within which the second capsule 2112 is located.

[0282] The frame 2106 comprises an upper frame portion 2124, a middle frame portion 2126, and a lower frame portion 2128. Each of these three frame portions are substantially planar. To form the article 2100, components are adhered together as follows. An upper surface of the upper frame portion 2124 is adhered to a perimeter of a lower surface of the planar upper layer 2102. An upper surface of the middle frame portion 2126 is adhered to a lower surface of the upper frame portion 2124. A lower surface of the middle frame portion is adhered to an upper surface of the lower frame portion 2128. A lower surface of the lower frame portion 2128 is adhered to a perimeter of an upper surface of the planar lower layer 2104.

[0283] As can be seen in Figure 21 , the middle frame portion 2126 defines the air inlet 2114 and the air outlet 2116. All three frame portions 2124, 2126, 2128 together at least partially define the capsule cavity 2118, the substrate cavity 2120 and the second capsule cavity 2122.

[0284] The frame 2106 is made from cardboard. Each of the three frame portions 2124, 2126, 2128 has a thickness of around 1 millimetre, giving the frame a thickness of around 3 millimetres in total, and the article 2100 a thickness of around 3.07 millimetres in total. The article is substantially cuboid in shape and has a length of around 22 millimetres and a width of around 13 millimetres.

[0285] In this embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate 2110 is a cuboid plug of homogenised tobacco material.

[0286] The capsule 2108 contains a nicotine powder and the second capsule 2112 contains a flavourant powder. Both capsules 2108 and 2112 are initially open. They each have one or more small openings for allowing powder particles of the powder capsule contents to be released. The powders in the capsules 2108, 2112 is mostly released when the capsules 2108, 2112 are agitated or rotated during use. In other embodiments, the capsule contents could be liquid released through the one or more small openings when the capsules are agitated or rotated during use. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the capsules could initially be sealed and require opening, for example by heating, or by a clamping or piercing mechanism of an aerosol-generating device for use with the article, or by a user pinching the article as described in relation to the article 1800 of Figure 18.

[0287] In use, a user may insert the article 2100 into a device such as the device 6000 of Figures 15- 17. Then, use of the article 2100 with the device 6000 is similar to use of the previously described article 600 with the device 6000, as explained below.

[0288] When a user has inserted the aerosol-generating article 2100 into the cavity 6050, the device 6000 can be operated. The heater 6030 heats a lower surface of the article 2100, and as a result the aerosol-forming substrate 2110 of the article 2100 is heated. The substrate is heated to around 150 degrees Celsius in this embodiment, such that volatile components of the substrate 2110 are evaporated and condense within the article 2100 to form an aerosol. The user draws on the proximal end of the article 2100 to provide an air flow through the article 2100, specifically into the article 2100 through the air inlet 2114, then through the capsule cavity 2118, then through the substrate cavity 2120, then through the second capsule cavity 2122, then out of the article 2100 through the air outlet 2116 and to the user. This air flow may agitate, or cause rotation of, the capsule 2108 and second capsule 2112 so as to cause the capsules 2108, 2112 to release their capsule contents into the air flow. These capsule contents, along with the evaporated and condensed volatile compounds of the substrate 2110, are entrained in the air flow through the article 2100, and delivered to the user through the article air outlet 2116. Once the substrate 2110 of the article 2100 has been depleted of volatile components, the article is removed from the cavity 6050 of the device 6000 and disposed of.

[0289] As shown in Figure 21 , in the article 2100, the air flow path is configured such that, in use, air flowing through the air flow path causes the capsules 2108, 2112 to rotate.

[0290] The article 2100 defines a first air flow path from the air inlet 2114, into the capsule cavity 2118, substantially tangentially across a first portion of an outer surface of the capsule 2108 in a first direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in a capsule rotation direction, through a capsule cavity 2118 first exit in the upper frame portion 2124 to the substrate cavity 2120, and onwards to the air outlet 2116.

[0291] The article 2100 also defines a second air flow path from the air inlet 2114, into the capsule cavity 2118, substantially tangentially across a second portion of the outer surface of the capsule 2108, substantially diametrically opposite to the first portion of the outer surface of the capsule 2108, in a second direction, substantially opposite to the first direction, to encourage rotation of the capsule 2108 in the capsule rotation direction, through a capsule cavity 2118 second exit in the lower frame portion 2128 to the substrate cavity 2120, and onwards to the air outlet 2116.

[0292] As can be seen from Figure 21 , the capsule cavity 2118 is substantially a right circular cylinder in shape. The first and second air flow paths exit the capsule cavity 2118 substantially tangentially to the circular cross section of the capsule cavity 2118, and in substantially opposite directions to one another. This advantageously creates a swirling airflow in the capsule cavity 2118, helping to rotate the capsule 2108. Further, the first air flow path leaving the capsule cavity 2118 via the upper frame portion 2124, and the second air flow path leaving the capsule cavity 2118 via the lower frame portion 2128, encourages air flow from the air inlet 2114 to divide, with some travelling slightly upwards, towards a top of the capsule 2108, possible with some air travelling over the top of the capsule 2108, and some travelling slightly downwards, towards a bottom of the capsule 2108, possible with some air travelling beneath the bottom of the capsule 2108. This may advantageously help to balance the capsule 2108 whilst it rotates, and encourage the rotation even more, so as to help the capsule 2108 release its capsule contents.

[0293] A similar effect is achieved in a similar manner with the second capsule 21 12 in the substantially right circular cylindrical second capsule cavity 2122, albeit with tangential air flows from first and second air flow paths into, rather than out of, the second capsule cavity 2122.

[0294] Figure 22 shows an exploded view an aerosol-generating article 2200. Air flow direction through the article is indicated by arrows. The article 2200 is identical to the article 2100 of Figure 21 , except for the configuration of the air flow path through the article, as explained below.

[0295] Instead of the air inlet 21 14 in the middle frame portion 2126 of the article 2100, the article 2200 has a first air inlet 22141 in a side of the upper frame portion 2224 and a second air inlet 22142 in an opposite-facing side of the lower frame portion 2228. In addition, Instead of the air outlet 21 16 in the middle frame portion 2126 of the article 2100, the article 2200 has a first air outlet 22161 in the upper frame portion 2224 and a second air outlet 22162 in the lower frame portion 2228.

[0296] In the article 2200, both of the air inlets 22141 , 22142 and both of the air outlets 22161 , 22162 act to guide air flow tangentially into or out of the capsule cavities in a similar manner as described for air flow out of the capsule cavity 21 18 or into the second capsule cavity 2122 of the article 2100 of Figure 21 , and thus help encourage the capsules to rotate and release their contents during use.

[0297] Although figure 17 shows part of the aerosol-generating article 600 extending outside of the aerosolgenerating device 6000, in other embodiments the entirety of an aerosol-generating article may be wholly enclosed within an aerosol-generating device. By way of example, figure 23 illustrates an alternative embodiment to that of figure 17, with like features referred to by the same reference numbers but with the addition of a prime symbol ’. For the alternative embodiment of figure 23, the entirety of aerosol-generating article 600’ is enclosed within the interior of aerosol-generating device 6000’.

[0298] For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number “A” is understood as “A” ± 10% of “A”. Within this context, a number “A” may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number “A” modifies. The number “A”, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which “A” deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. The terms “in which” and “wherein” are used synonymously through this specification.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an inhalable aerosol, the aerosol-generating article comprising: an aerosol-forming substrate heatable to release an aerosol or volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol; and a capsule able to release capsule contents from within the capsule, wherein the article has an article length, an article width, and an article thickness, the article length and the article width being at least two times the article thickness.

2. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 , wherein the article comprises at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet, and the article defines at least one air flow path from the at least one air inlet to the at least one air outlet.

3. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 2, wherein: the aerosol-forming substrate and capsule are in the at least one air flow path; and at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is neither upstream nor downstream of at least a portion of the capsule.

4. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 2, wherein: the article comprises a second capsule; the aerosol-forming substrate, the capsule and the second capsule are in the at least one air flow path; and at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is downstream of at least a portion of the capsule and upstream of at least a portion of the second capsule.

5. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein: the article comprises a third capsule; the aerosol-forming substrate, the capsule and the third capsule are in the at least one air flow path; and at least a portion of the capsule is neither upstream nor downstream of at least a portion of the third capsule.

6. An aerosol-generating article according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein: the article comprises a second aerosol-forming substrate; the aerosol-forming substrate, the capsule and the second aerosol-forming substrate are in the at least one air flow path; and at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate is neither upstream nor downstream of at least a portion of the second aerosol-forming substrate.

7. An aerosol-generating article according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein, in use, air flowing through the at least one air flow path from the at least one air inlet to the at least one air outlet causes the capsule to rotate.

8. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 7, wherein: the at least one air inlet comprises a first air inlet and a second air inlet; andthe at least one air flow path comprises a first air inlet air flow path from the first air inlet to the at least one air outlet and a second air inlet air flow path from the second air inlet to the at least one air outlet, and wherein, in use: air flowing along the first air inlet air flow path encourages the capsule to rotate, and air flowing along the second air inlet air flow path encourages the capsule to rotate.

9. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 8, wherein the first air inlet is located in or on a first surface of the article, and the second air inlet is located in or on a second surface of the article different to the first surface.

10. An aerosol-generating article according to any of claims 2 to 9, wherein the article defines: a first air flow path from the at least one air inlet, substantially tangentially across a first portion of an outer surface of the capsule in a first direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in a capsule rotation direction, to the at least one air outlet; and a second air flow path from the at least one air inlet, substantially tangentially across a second portion, different to the first portion, of the outer surface of the capsule in a second direction, different to the first direction, to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction, to the at least one air outlet.11 . An aerosol-generating article according to claim 10, wherein the article comprises a frame, the frame comprising an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion, and the upper frame portion at least partially defines at least a portion of the first air flow path and the lower frame portion at least partially defines at least a portion of the second air flow path.

12. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 11 , wherein: the article defines a capsule cavity; the capsule is located in the capsule cavity; the upper frame portion at least partially defines a portion of the first air flow path which extends into or out of the capsule cavity and which directs or encourages air flow substantially tangentially across the first portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the first direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction; and the lower frame portion at least partially defines a portion of the second air flow path which extends into or out of the capsule cavity and which directs or encourages air flow substantially tangentially across the second portion of the outer surface of the capsule in the second direction to encourage rotation of the capsule in the capsule rotation direction.

13. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the capsule is substantially spherical and has a diameter of between 50 and 99 percent of the article thickness, or wherein the capsule is substantially right circular cylindrical one or both of a length and a diameter of the capsule is between 50 and 99 percent of the article thickness.

14. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the capsule is substantially spherical and has a diameter of between 1 and 5 millimetres, or wherein the capsule is substantially right circular cylindrical and one or both of a length and a diameter of the capsule is between 1 and 5 millimetres.

15. An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim and an aerosol-generating device for use with the aerosol-generating article to generate an inhalable aerosol, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

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