Aerosol-generating device with twin heater for heating two articles

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a first cavity (10) for receiving a first aerosol-generating article (12), a second cavity (20) for receiving a second aerosol-generating article (22), and a heating matrix (30) spatially arranged between the first cavity (10) and the second cavity (20). The heating matrix (30) comprises a first major boundary surface (40) facing towards the first cavity (10) and a second major boundary surface (50) opposing the first major boundary surface (40) and facing towards the second cavity (20). The first major boundary surface (40) comprises a first heating arrangement for heating the first aerosol-generating article (12) when being received in the first cavity (10). The second major boundary surface (50) comprises a second heating arrangement for heating the second aerosol-generating article (22) when being received in the second cavity (20). The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH TWIN HEATER FOR HEATING TWO ARTICLES

[0002] The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device. The present invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system.

[0003] It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such devices may heat aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosolforming substrate. Aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosolgenerating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity, such as a heating chamber, of the aerosol-generating device. It is also known to use aerosol-forming substrates and aerosol-generating articles having other shapes, for example cuboid or sheet-like shapes, for insertion into the device cavity. It is also known to provide aerosol-generating devices with an enlarged cavity capable of receiving multiple aerosol-generating articles to, for example, allow for a user to combine multiple flavours. A heating element may be arranged in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosol-forming substrate once the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

[0004] It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with improved aerosoldelivery. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device compatible with diverse aerosol-forming substrates. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with an improved aerosol-delivery for diverse aerosol-forming substrates. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with an improved aerosol-delivery for diverse aerosol-forming substrates when being heated simultaneously. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with an airflow control management. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with an improved aerosol-delivery management. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device which allows for accurate dosing of substances. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with an individualised aerosol-delivery management for diverse aerosol-forming substrates. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with customization possibilities. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device that allows independent and simultaneous use of multiple aerosol-forming substrates. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with a compact design. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with low complexity.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a first cavity for receiving a first aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a second cavity for receiving a second aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating matrix spatially arranged between the first cavity and the second cavity. The heating matrix may comprise a first major boundary surface facing towards the first cavity. The heating matrix may comprise a second major boundary surface opposing the first major boundary surface and facing towards the second cavity. The first major boundary surface may comprise a first heating arrangement for heating the first aerosol-generating article when being received in the first cavity. The second major boundary surface may comprise a second heating arrangement for heating the second aerosol-generating article when being received in the second cavity.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device comprises a first cavity for receiving a first aerosolgenerating article. The aerosol-generating device comprises a second cavity for receiving a second aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device comprises a heating matrix spatially arranged between the first cavity and the second cavity. The heating matrix comprises a first major boundary surface facing towards the first cavity. The heating matrix comprises a second major boundary surface opposing the first major boundary surface and facing towards the second cavity. The first major boundary surface comprises a first heating arrangement for heating the first aerosol-generating article when being received in the first cavity. The second major boundary surface comprises a second heating arrangement for heating the second aerosol-generating article when being received in the second cavity.

[0007] An aerosol-generating device with improved aerosol-delivery may be provided. An aerosol-generating device compatible with diverse aerosol-forming substrates may be provided. An aerosol-generating device with an improved aerosol-delivery for diverse aerosol-forming substrates may be provided. An aerosol-generating device with an improved aerosol-delivery for diverse aerosol-forming substrates when being heated simultaneously may be provided. An aerosol-generating device with an airflow control management may be provided. An aerosol-generating device with an improved aerosol-delivery management may be provided. An aerosol-generating device which allows for accurate dosing of substances may be provided. An aerosol-generating device with an individualised aerosol-delivery management for diverse aerosol-forming substrates may be provided. An aerosol-generating device with customization possibilities may be provided. An aerosol-generating device that allows independent and simultaneous use of multiple aerosol-forming substrates may be provided. An aerosol-generating device with a compact design may be provided. An aerosolgenerating device with low complexity may be provided.

[0008] The first major boundary surface of the heating matrix may be planar or substantially planar. The second major boundary surface of the heating matrix may be planar or substantially planar. The first heating arrangement may comprise a plurality of first discrete heating portions. For example, the first heating arrangement may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more first discrete heating portions. The first discrete heating portions may be configured for individually heating different portions of the first aerosol-generating article. The second heating arrangement may comprise a plurality of second discrete heating portions. For example, the second heating arrangement may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more second discrete heating portions. The second discrete heating portions may be configured for individually heating different portions of the second aerosol-generating article. The number of first discrete heating portions may be the same as or different to the number of second discrete heating portions.

[0009] The first heating arrangement may comprise 5 first discrete heating portions and the second heating arrangement may comprise 5 second discrete heating portions. In this exemplary embodiment, it may be possible to obtain at least 10 puffs with the same, or different aerosol, based on a single, or a plurality, of types of aerosol-forming substrate.

[0010] The first heating arrangement may comprise 10 first discrete heating portions and the second heating arrangement may comprise 10 second discrete heating portions. In this exemplary embodiment, it may be possible to obtain at least 20 puffs with the same, or different aerosol, based on a single, or a plurality, of types of aerosol-forming substrate.

[0011] The total number of available puffs may be less than the total number of discrete heating portions, for example when several portions are simultaneously heated to generate a mixed puff. The total number of available puffs may exceed the total number of discrete heating portions, for example when a portion may be heated more than once to completely empty a respective aerosol-forming substrate portion of an aerosol-generating article.

[0012] With the two cavities and two respective heating arrangements, the aerosolgenerating device advantageously incorporates a twin aerosol ization system. The twin aerosolization system may allow to load two aerosol-generating articles of the same or different type. The aerosol-generating articles may be consumed independently, or simultaneously, based on an operating mode of the device that will selectively power the required portions of any of the aerosol-generating articles, to provide the desired user experience.

[0013] The aerosol-generating device may be configured such that heating of each of the first and second discrete heating portions is individually controllable. The aerosol-generating device may be configured such that heating of each of the first and second discrete heating portions is individually controllable according to individual heating profiles. The individual heating profiles may comprise one or more of individual temperatures, individual heating durations, and individual temperature ramps. The aerosol -generating device comprising individually controllable first and second discrete heating portions may allow for various operating modes enabling one or more of: precise dosing, Puff-on-demand, progressive consumption, sequential consumption, and simultaneous consumption of different types of aerosol-forming substrates.

[0014] Each of the first and second discrete heating portions may comprise an individual susceptor element. Each individual susceptor element may be configured to be inductively heated.

[0015] The heating matrix may be a layered structure. The layered structure may comprise a center layer and two outer layers. The center layer may comprise, or consist of, an electromagnetic shielding material. The two outer layers each may comprise, or consist of, an electrically insulating material.

[0016] The electrically insulating material may comprise one or more of silicone-fiberglass laminate, Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), unfilled PPS, Thermoset cross-linked styrene copolymer, Polysulfone, High-density Polyolefins such as HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Canvas Reinforced Phenolic - NEMA C per MIL-I-24768 TYPE FBM - NEMA CE per MIL-I-24768 TYPE FBG (continuous operating temperature of 250°F), Polyimide film, Poly EtherEther- Ketone (PEEK), and compounds of those. The electrically insulating material may comprise one or more ceramic materials. The ceramic materials may be based on silica and / or alumina compounds, preferable alumina (aluminium oxide, AI2O3) in monolithic ceramic, aluminium nitrides (AIN) hot pressed or direct sintered, silicates, including steatite and mullite, and silicon carbide (SiC).

[0017] The two outer layers may be arranged to sandwich the center layer between the two outer layers. The discrete heating portions, for example the individual susceptor elements, may be arranged on the two outer layers.

[0018] The discrete heating portions may comprise ferromagnetic stainless steel alloys, for example FDA grade ferromagnetic stainless steel alloys, such as SAS 304 and 306 series. The discrete heating portions may comprise carbon-based materials, for example graphene, graphite, and nanostructures and compounds of those.

[0019] The two outer layers may be a first outer layer and a second outer layer. The first discrete heating portions may be arranged on the first outer layer. The individual susceptor elements of the first discrete heating portions may be arranged on the first outer layer. The second discrete heating portions may be arranged on the second outer layer. The individual susceptor elements of the second discrete heating portions may be arranged on the second outer layer.

[0020] The center layer comprising, or consisting of, an electromagnetic shielding material may help assuring that an electromagnetic field and related currents induced by the susceptor(s) when operating paired with the respective inductors coils, remains separate and not influencing the electromagnetic field(s) produced by the opposing set of inductor coils.

[0021] The electromagnetic shielding material may be a material with EMI shielding properties. The electromagnetic shielding material may be based on intrinsic conducting polymers and / or conductive polymer composites. The electromagnetic shielding material may comprise one or more of polyacetylene, polythiopene, polypyrole, polyaniline, and compounds of those. They electromagnetic shielding material may include portions, and / or intermediate layers, of insulating polymers with metal and / or carbon-based fillers.

[0022] The first and second discrete heating portions may be attached to the two outer layers by means of an adherent or a deposition method, for example electrodeposition, or other adequate means.

[0023] The aerosol-generating device may comprise an individual inductor coil for each individual susceptor element. Each individual inductor coil may be configured for inductively heating a different one of the individual susceptor elements. The inductor coils may be planar inductor coils. The inductor coils may comprise one or more copper alloys.

[0024] The aerosol-generating device may be configured such that, when the first aerosolgenerating article is inserted into the first cavity, the first aerosol-generating article is sandwiched between the heating matrix and the inductor coils for heating the susceptor elements of the first discrete heating portions. The aerosol-generating device may be configured such that, when the second aerosol-generating article is inserted into the second cavity, the second aerosol-generating article is sandwiched between the heating matrix and the inductor coils for heating the susceptor elements of the second discrete heating portions.

[0025] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a first slidable tray for holding the first aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a second slidable tray for holding the second aerosol-generating article.

[0026] The first and second slidable trays may be arranged on opposing sides of the aerosol-generating device.

[0027] The first slidable tray may comprise a first frame structure for holding the first aerosolgenerating article. The second slidable tray may comprise a second frame structure for holding the second aerosol-generating article.

[0028] The first and second frame structures may be one or both of differently shaped and differently sized for avoiding insertion of a wrong aerosol-generating article following the keylock principle.

[0029] One or both of the first and second frame structures may comprise an indexed corner. Thereby, insertion of an aerosol-generating article having a corresponding indexed corner in a wrong orientation may be prevented. Due to the indexed corners existing in the frame structures of the trays of the device and in the aerosol-generating articles, it may be assured that the aerosol-generating articles are always placed correctly inside frame structure. This may assure that aerosol-generating articles are always correctly placed inside the trays to enable their correct usage.

[0030] One or both of the first and second frame structures may comprise a sealing element. The sealing element of the frame structure may be configured to engage with a corresponding sealing element of the heating matrix to provide a seal for the respective cavity when the respective slidable tray is closed.

[0031] The sealing elements of one or both the first and second frame structures and the heating matrix may comprise an elastic material, more preferably an elastomeric material, more preferably a material selected from one or more of: synthetic rubbers, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) styrenics, thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) LDPE, HDPE, LLDPE, LILDPE, silicone rubber, Polyurethane, PDM, Thermoplastic elastomers, and compounds of those.

[0032] The first cavity may form part of the first slidable tray. The second cavity may form part of the second slidable tray. The first and second cavities may function as a heating chamber for heating the respective first or second aerosol-generating article received therein, once the respective first or second slidable tray is inserted into the device together with the respective first or second aerosol-generating article.

[0033] The aerosol-generating device may be configured such that an insertion direction of each of the first and second slidable trays is tilted with respect to the first and second major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix. The aerosol-generating device may be configured such that an insertion direction of each of the first and second slidable trays is tilted with respect to the first and second major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix by a tilt angle of between 1 degree and 10 degrees, more preferably between 2 degrees and 7 degrees, more preferably between 2 degrees and 5 degrees.

[0034] The tilted insertion direction of the first and second slidable trays with reference to the planar first and second major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix, results in a diagonal movement of each of the first and second slidable trays with reference to the planar surfaces of the heating matrix. By the diagonal movement, the force applied to close the trays also translates into a vertical force progressively applied on the overall planar major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix, which is maintained when the trays kept fully closed. The vertical force may press the trays against the respective surfaces of heating matrix. By the tilted insertion direction, it may be assured that, when the trays are closed, the aerosolgenerating articles are in close contact with respective heating portions of the first and second major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix. By the tilted insertion direction, efficiency of the heat transfer from the heating portions to the aerosol-forming substrate may be improved. By the tilted insertion direction, targeted heating of a specific discrete aerosol- forming substrate portion by a specific discrete heating portion may be improved. By the tilted insertion direction, hermetic sealing of the first and second cavities may be provided.

[0035] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a first button configured for opening the first slidable tray. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a second button configured for opening the second slidable tray. The first and second buttons may be arranged on opposing sides of the aerosol-generating device.

[0036] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a tray locking mechanism. The tray locking mechanism may be configured for locking one or both of the first and second slidable trays. The tray locking mechanism may be configured for locking one of the first and second slidable trays at a time.

[0037] The tray locking mechanism may be configured to prevent opening of the second slidable tray when the first slidable tray is open. The tray locking mechanism may be configured to allow opening of the second slidable tray when the first slidable tray closed. The tray locking mechanism may be configured to prevent opening of the first slidable tray when the second slidable tray is open. The tray locking mechanism may be configured to allow opening of the first slidable tray when the second slidable tray is closed.

[0038] The tray locking mechanism may comprise a first holding means for holding the first slidable tray in the closed position. The tray locking mechanism may comprise a second holding means for holding the second slidable tray in the closed position. The first holding means may be interlocked with the second button such that the second button is locked when the first slidable tray is open and the second button is operable to open the second slidable tray when the first slidable tray is closed. The second holding means may be interlocked with the first button such that the first button is locked when the second slidable tray is open and the first button is operable to open the first slidable tray when the second slidable tray is closed.

[0039] The tray locking mechanism may comprise a gravitational sensitive element. The gravitational sensitive element may comprise a first configuration and a second configuration. The gravitational sensitive element may be configured to switch between the first and second configurations in dependence of an orientation of the aerosol-generating device with respect to the center of gravity. The tray locking mechanism may be configured for locking the first slidable tray when the gravitational sensitive element is in the first configuration. The tray locking mechanism may be configured for locking the second slidable tray when the gravitational sensitive element is in the second configuration.

[0040] The gravitational sensitive element may be configured to be in the first configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the second slidable tray is spatially located between the first slidable tray and the center of gravity. The gravitational sensitive element may be configured to be in the second configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the first slidable tray is spatially located between the second slidable tray and the center of gravity.

[0041] The gravitational sensitive element may be a mechanical element comprising a movable lock driven by gravity. The gravitational sensitive element may comprise a sensor. The sensor of the gravitational sensitive element may be a gyroscope sensor.

[0042] The inductor coils may be arranged in the first and second slidable trays. The inductor coils may be arranged in the first and second slidable trays such that each inductor coil is paired to its corresponding discrete heating portion when the respective first or second slidable tray is closed.

[0043] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a first operating display. The aerosolgenerating device may comprise a second operating display. The first and second operating displays may be arranged on opposing sides of the aerosol-generating device. The first and second operating displays may be arranged on opposing outer surfaces of the aerosolgenerating device. The first operating display may be configured to provide information on the operational status of a first aerosol-generating article received in the first cavity. The second operating display may be configured to provide information on the operational status of a second aerosol-generating article received in the second cavity.

[0044] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a main body. The mouthpiece may be part of the main body or may be a separate element.

[0045] The main body may comprise polymeric materials. The polymeric materials may comprise one or more of PVC, Polyurethane, PE, PP, Polyester, PEEK, Polyphenylsulfone, Nylon, and compounds of those. The main body may comprise specific small applications of Teflon, and / or PeBax, in joins of assembly parts, and / or other specific small applications of metallic alloys, such as stainless steel alloys FDA grade, SAE 200, 300, and 400 series.

[0046] The mouthpiece may comprise polymeric materials. The mouthpiece may comprise polymeric elastomeric materials. The mouthpiece may comprise one or more of PE, LIHMWPE, PET, Silicone rubber, Polyurethane, PMMA, Polysulphones, Hydrogels, Polyphosphazenes, Thermoplastic elastomers, Polydimethylsiloxane, and compounds of those.

[0047] Each of the first and second slidable trays may comprise one or more of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP), Polysulfones (PSU), Polyethersulfones (PES), Polyetherimide (PEI), Polyphenylsulfone (PPS), and compounds of those.

[0048] The main body of the aerosol-generating device may have length of about 35 millimeters to about 83 millimeters, preferably of about 42 millimeters to 67 millimeters. The main body of the aerosol-generating device may have a width of about 22 millimeters to about 57 millimeters, preferably of about 27 millimeters to about 47 millimeters. The main body of the aerosol-generating device may have a thickness of about 27 millimeters to 51 millimeters, preferably of about 31 millimeters to 43 millimeters.

[0049] Each of the first and second slidable trays may have a length of about 35 millimeters to about 83 millimeters, preferably of about 42 millimeters to 67 millimeters. Each of the first and second slidable trays may have a width of about 22 millimeters to about 53 millimeters, preferably of about 27 millimeters to about 45 millimeters. Each of the first and second slidable trays may have a thickness of about 8 millimeters to about 17 millimeters, preferably of about 9 millimeters to about 12 millimeters.

[0050] Each of the first and second cavities may have a length of about 18 millimeters to about 41 millimeters, preferably of about 20 millimeters to 37 millimeters. Each of the first and second cavities may have a width of about 5 millimeters to about 27 millimeters, preferably of about 7 millimeters to about 21 millimeters. Each of the first and second cavities may have a thickness of about 2 millimeters to about 11 millimeters, preferably of about 3 millimeters to about 7 millimeters.

[0051] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal central axis may extend between a proximal end and a distal end of the device. The proximal end may comprise a mouthpiece. The proximal end may be referred to as mouth end.

[0052] The first and second slidable trays may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis. The first and second slidable trays may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis such that the longitudinal central axis is a two-fold rotation axis with respect to the first and second slidable trays.

[0053] The heating matrix may be arranged within the aerosol-generating device such that the longitudinal central axis of the device extents centrally through the heating matrix parallel to and between the first and second major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix.

[0054] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a gravitational sensitive heater control. The gravitational sensitive heater control may comprise a first configuration and a second configuration. The gravitational sensitive heater control may be configured to switch between the first and second configurations in dependence of an orientation of the aerosol-generating device with respect to the center of gravity. The aerosol-generating device may be configured for preventing operation of the first heating arrangement when the gravitational sensitive heater control is in the first configuration. The aerosol-generating device may be configured for preventing operation of the second heating arrangement when the gravitational sensitive heater control is in the second configuration. The aerosol-generating device may be configured for allowing operation of the second heating arrangement when the gravitational sensitive heater control is in the first configuration. The aerosol-generating device may be configured for allowing operation of the first heating arrangement when the gravitational sensitive heater control is in the second configuration.

[0055] The gravitational sensitive heater control may be configured to be in the first configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the second cavity is spatially located between the first cavity and the center of gravity. The gravitational sensitive heater control may be configured to be in the second configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the first cavity is spatially located between the second cavity and the center of gravity.

[0056] The gravitational sensitive heater control may comprise a sensor. The sensor of the gravitational sensitive heater control may be a gyroscope sensor. The gravitational sensitive heater control and the gravitational sensitive element may utilize the same sensor. The sensor of the gravitational sensitive heater control and the sensor of the gravitational sensitive element may be the same sensor.

[0057] The aerosol-generating device may comprise an airflow path extending between at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet of the device. The first cavity and the second cavity may be arranged in parallel in the airflow path. The first cavity and the second cavity may be fluidically arranged in parallel in the airflow path.

[0058] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a first valve means for controlling airflow through the first cavity. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a second valve means for controlling airflow through the second cavity.

[0059] The aerosol-generating device may be configured to be operable in at least two operational modes. The at least two operational modes may comprise a first operational mode wherein the first valve means is opened and the second valve means is closed such that the airflow passes through the first cavity only and not through the second cavity.

[0060] The at least two operational modes may comprise a second operational mode wherein the first valve means is closed and the second valve means is opened such that the airflow passes through the second cavity only and not through the first cavity.

[0061] The aerosol-generating device may be configured to be operable in three operational modes. The three operational modes may comprise a first operational mode wherein the first valve means is opened and the second valve means is closed such that the airflow passes through the first cavity only and not through the second cavity.

[0062] The three operational modes may comprise a second operational mode wherein the first valve means is closed and the second valve means is opened such that the airflow passes through the second cavity only and not through the first cavity. The three operational modes may comprise a third operational mode wherein the first valve means is partly opened and the second valve means is partly opened such that the airflow passes through both the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0063] By the different operational modes, an aerosol-generating device with customization possibilities may be provided. By the different operational modes, an aerosol-generating device that allows independent and simultaneous use of multiple aerosol-forming substrates may be provided.

[0064] The aerosol-generating device may be configured to provide a constant resistance to draw of the airflow path for all operational modes.

[0065] The aerosol-generating device may be configured to be operable in different heating modes, having different ones of the first and second discrete heating portions activated or deactivated. Each operational mode may comprise one or more different heating modes.

[0066] By the different heating modes, an aerosol-generating device with customization possibilities may be provided. By the different heating modes, an aerosol-generating device that allows independent and simultaneous use of multiple aerosol-forming substrates or substrate portions may be provided. An aerosol-generating device with precise dosing may be provided.

[0067] By the combination of the different operational modes and different heating modes, an aerosol-generating device with countless customization possibilities may be provided.

[0068] One or both of the first and second valve means may be configured as airflow electrovalves.

[0069] The first and second valve means may be identical valve means or may be different valve means. The valve means may be configured as manually adjustable valves, mechanically-passive valves, or electro-mechanical valves. The valve means may be configured as pinch valves. The valve means may be electrically activated. The electrically activated valve means may comprise a sensor. The sensor of the valve means may be a light sensor, an acoustic sensor, a hall sensor, a capacitive sensor, or a resistive electrode.

[0070] The sensor of the valve means may be a gravitational sensor, for example a gyroscope sensor. The gravitational sensitive heater control and the gravitational sensitive element and the valve means may utilize the same sensor. The sensor of the gravitational sensitive heater control and the sensor of the gravitational sensitive element and the valve means may be the same sensor.

[0071] The valve means may be thermally activated. The valve means may be configured to be thermally activated by a heating element of the aerosol-generating device.

[0072] The valve means may be configured as thermal expansion valves, gas expansion valves, thermocouple and fluid valves, or a combination thereof. The valve means may be configured as flow restriction-type valves. The flow restriction-type valves may be configured as ball valves, plate valves, sliding disk valves, butterfly valves, check valves, gate valves, globe valve, pinch valves, diaphragm valves, piston valves, or combinations thereof.

[0073] Generally, passive components may be advantageous. For example, a valve means that open and close in response to temperature changes may provide a simple solution. Costs of the device may be reduced. Complexity of the device may be reduced.

[0074] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a mixing chamber arranged downstream of the first and second cavities. The airflow path may be configured such that airflow coming from both the first and second cavities merges upstream of the mixing chamber. The airflow path may be configured such that airflow coming from both the first and second cavities merges in the mixing chamber.

[0075] The mixing chamber may be configured as a cooling chamber. The mixing chamber may be configured as a homogenization chamber. The mixing chamber may be configured as a homogenization and cooling chamber. The mixing chamber may comprise one or more ventilation holes. The ventilation holes may be configured to guide additional ambient air into the mixing chamber.

[0076] The mixing chamber may be fluidically connected to a mouthpiece arranged at the downstream end in the airflow path. The at least one air outlet may be arranged in the mouthpiece. It is also possible that the mixing chamber is located itself in the mouthpiece, for example in a removable mouthpiece.

[0077] The first and second cavities may be arranged fluidically in parallel in the airflow path. A first downstream portion downstream of the first cavity and a second downstream portion downstream of the second cavity may be arranged fluidically in parallel in the airflow path. The first downstream portion may comprise a first mixing chamber. The second downstream portion may comprise a second mixing chamber. One or both of the first and second mixing chambers may be configured as a cooling chamber. One or both of the first and second mixing chambers may be configured as a homogenization chamber. One or both of the first and second mixing chambers may comprise one or more ventilation holes. The ventilation holes may be configured to guide additional ambient air into the mixing chamber.

[0078] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power source. The power source may comprise identical first and second batteries. The first battery may be configured to power the first heating arrangement. The second battery may be configured to power the second heating arrangement. The first battery may be configured to power only the first heating arrangement. The second battery may be configured to power only the second heating arrangement. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a main axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a generally cuboid shape comprising two opposing parallel major boundary surfaces and two opposing parallel minor boundary surfaces. The first and second slidable trays may be arranged in opposing ones of the minor boundary surfaces of the device, such that the first and second slidable trays may be opened and closed along a sliding axis, the sliding axis being substantially perpendicular to the main axis. The proximal end may comprise a mouthpiece.

[0079] Each of the first and second cavities may comprise first and second major boundary surfaces. The first and second major boundary surfaces of each of the cavities may extend in facing parallel relations. The first and second major boundary surfaces of each of the cavities may define a principal flow axis for fluid flowing through the respective cavity. The aerosolgenerating device may be configured such that fluid flow, in use, from an inlet of the respective cavity to an outlet of the respective cavity is in a direction substantially parallel to the principal flow axis.

[0080] An inner volume of each of the first and second cavities may be generally cuboidshaped. A diameter of the first and second major boundary surfaces of each cavity may equal at least four times a distance between the first and second major boundary surfaces of the respective cavity.

[0081] The first and second major boundary surfaces of each of the first and second cavities may be spaced from one another by a distance of less than 5 millimeters.

[0082] The first and second major boundary surfaces of each of the first and second cavities may be planar or substantially planar.

[0083] The aerosol-generating device may be configured that the first and second major boundary surfaces of each of the first and second cavities are arranged in parallel to the first and second major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix.

[0084] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device as described herein and an aerosolgenerating article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0085] The aerosol-generating article may be the first aerosol-generating article. The first aerosol-generating article may comprise a major boundary surface. The major boundary surface of the first aerosol-generating article may comprise a plurality of discrete aerosolforming substrate portions. The first heating arrangement of the aerosol-generating device may comprise a plurality of first discrete heating portions for individually heating the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions of the first aerosol-generating article. The aerosolgenerating system may be configured such that, when the first aerosol-generating article is inserted into the first cavity, each of the first discrete heating portions overlies one of the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions of the first aerosol-generating article.

[0086] An efficient aerosolization of all, or nearly all of the aerosol-forming substrate may be achieved. Waste may be reduced.

[0087] A compact device and system may be provided.

[0088] The aerosol-generating system may comprise a further aerosol-generating article.

[0089] The further aerosol-generating article may be the second aerosol-generating article. The second aerosol-generating article may comprise a major boundary surface. The major boundary surface of the second aerosol-generating article may comprise a plurality of discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions. The second heating arrangement of the aerosolgenerating device may comprise a plurality of second discrete heating portions for individually heating the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions of the second aerosolgenerating article. The aerosol-generating system may be configured such that, when the second aerosol-generating article is inserted into the second cavity, each of the second discrete heating portions overlies one of the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions of the second aerosol-generating article.

[0090] The major boundary surfaces of the first aerosol-generating article may be planar or substantially planar. The major boundary surfaces of the second aerosol-generating article may be planar or substantially planar.

[0091] The first and second aerosol-generating articles may be consumer articles. The first and second aerosol-generating articles may be medical articles. A versatile device and system may be provided.

[0092] The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided in a form of a gel. The gel composition may comprise nicotine. The nicotine may be provided in a form that is physically, and predominantly chemically, stable as solid.

[0093] The aerosol-generating article comprising a plurality of discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions may be configured, such that the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions are geometrically coincident with the position of the respective first or second discrete heating portions of the heating matrix when the article is inserted into the device. This may allow for individual control of heating of each individual discrete aerosol-forming substrate portion. This way, it may be possible to enable various different usages modes, by heating the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions, separately, on-demand, or sequentially, as well as simultaneously.

[0094] The aerosol-generating device and system of the invention may allow to load two aerosol-generating articles of the same or different type, and use them independently, or simultaneously. The aerosol-generating device and system of the invention may allow to use the aerosol-generating articles in portions with accurate dosing of aerosol content corresponding to the volume of the aerosol-forming substrate sensorial portion, or half of it in case there are two discrete heating portions per aerosol-forming substrate portions, in any of the two aerosol-generating articles loaded inside the device. The aerosol-generating device and system of the invention may allow independent heating of aerosol-forming substrate portions. Independent and / or different temperature profiles may be provided at any time. The independent temperature profiles may be configured to match different aerosolization conditions of different aerosol-forming substrates of different aerosol-forming substrate portions. Heating may be controlled independently and at any time, allowing segmented heating according to Puff On Demand modes, or in any sequence and combination chosen by a user according to her or his preferences, or in a pre-defined sequence of consumption, for example by progressive sequential heating.

[0095] Each of the first and second heating arrangements may comprise one or more heating elements. Each of the first and second discrete heating portions may be configured as an individual heating element. The heating elements may be or may form part of any kind of heating element as described herein.

[0096] The heating element may be a dielectric or capacitive-type heating element. For example, dielectric or capacitive-type heating element can be used having two or more flat or planar electrodes arranged to removably receive an exemplary flat or planar aerosolgenerating article therebetween, interconnected via an impedance matching circuit to an AC source, for generating microwaves between the electrodes for capacitive / dielectric heating.

[0097] The heating element may be a resistive or Joule-type heating element, for example being part of the aerosol-forming device, the exemplary flat or planar aerosol-forming article, or both. The resistive heating element may take any suitable form. For example, the resistive heating element may take the form of one or more flexible heating foils on a dielectric substrate, such as polyimide. The flexible heating foils can be shaped to conform to the perimeter of the respective cavity. Alternatively, a resistive heating element may take the form of a metallic grid or grids, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded interconnect device (MID), ceramic heater, flexible carbon fibre heater or may be formed using a coating technique, such as plasma vapour deposition, on a suitable shaped substrate. A resistive heating element may also be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitable insulating materials. A resistive heating element formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the resistive heating element during operation. It is also possible that the resistive heating elements are part of the aerosol-forming article, for example a flat or planar aerosol-forming article, for example but not limited to a plate-like shape or having electrically resistive tracks arranged on a flat heater substrate, for example as described in W02016 / 005530 and WO2016 / 005533, showing a cartridge with integrated heating elements, these references herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0098] The heating element may be a radiation-based heating element, for example but not limited to a semiconductor based heating element, having an array of individual radiationbased heating elements, for example as shown in WO2017 / 182249, this reference incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0099] The radiation-based heating element may a non-contact heater, for example as shown in WO2022 / 207447, this reference incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0100] The radiation-based heating element may comprise a radiation source that can radiate onto a surface or layer of a flat aerosol-forming article to cause aerosolization or vaporization. The radiation source may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation may be microwaves, far infrared, infrared, near infrared, or visible light.

[0101] The radiation source may be a photonic device or laser irradiation device. The photonic device may be a light-emitting diode (LED). The radiation source may be a perovskite LED.

[0102] The photonic device may be a thin film that can irradiate electromagnetic radiation, preferably infrared radiation.

[0103] The radiation source may comprise an infrared radiating coating, for example an NiCr2O4 powder coating or other high-emissivity ceramic coating that can emit infrared light.

[0104] The heating element may be an induction heating element. The induction heating element may comprise one or more induction coils which each may surround the respective cavity. For example, a helical induction coil may extend around the first and second major boundary surfaces of a cavity. The longitudinal axis of the or each induction coil may be substantially parallel to the principal flow axis. For example, the heating element can be configured to have planar coils configured for inductively heating a flat susceptor inside, outside, or in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate of the flat or planar aerosol-forming article, for example as described in WO2015 / 177043 or WO2015 / 177044, these references herewith incorporate by reference in their entirety.

[0105] As used herein, the term “longitudinal axis” in respect of an induction coil refers to an axis extending through the centre of the coil in a direction generally perpendicular to the turns of the coil.

[0106] The induction heating element may be arranged to inductively heat a susceptor. The induction heating element may comprise one or more induction coils located adjacent the first and / or second major boundary surface of a respective cavity. The longitudinal axis of the or each induction coil may be substantially perpendicular to the principal flow axis, for example and to a plane defined by the first major boundary surface. The one or more induction coils may be planar. For example, a planar induction coil may be located adjacent and in parallel to one of the first and second major boundary surfaces of a respective cavity. For example, a first planar induction coil may be located adjacent and in parallel to the first major boundary surface and a second planar induction coil may be located adjacent and in parallel to the second major boundary surface.

[0107] The susceptor may be part of an aerosol-generating article within the cavity. The susceptor may be part of the aerosol-generating device. For example, the susceptor may be arranged on an inner side of the cavity. For example, one or both of the first and second major boundary surfaces of a respective cavity may comprise a susceptor material.

[0108] In use, a susceptor may be inductively heated by the or each induction coil. The susceptor then, in turn, conductively, convectively and / or radiatively heats the aerosolforming substrate located in proximity to the susceptor.

[0109] A ‘susceptor’ refers to an element that heats up when subjected to a varying or alternating magnetic field. Usually, a susceptor is conductive, and heating of the susceptor is the result of eddy currents being induced in the susceptor or hysteresis losses. Both hysteresis losses and eddy currents can occur in a susceptor. A susceptor may include graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steels, niobium, aluminium and any other conductive elements. Preferably, the susceptor element is a ferrite element. The material and the geometry for the susceptor may be chosen to provide a desired electrical resistance and heat generation.

[0110] In the operation of an induction heater, a high frequency alternating current is passed through one or more induction coils to generate one or more corresponding alternating magnetic fields that induce a voltage in a susceptor of an article. The induced voltage causes a current to flow in the susceptor and this current causes Joule heating of the susceptor that in turn heats the aerosol-forming substrate. If the susceptor is ferromagnetic, hysteresis losses in the susceptor may also generate heat.

[0111] The term ‘high frequency’ denotes a frequency ranging from about 500 Kilohertz (KHz) to about 30 Megahertz (MHz) (including the range of 500 KHz to 30 MHz), in particular from about 1 Megahertz (MHz) to about 10 MHz (including the range of 1 MHz to 10 MHz), and even more particularly from about 5 Megahertz (MHz) to about 7 Megahertz (MHz) (including the range of 5 MHz to 7 MHz).

[0112] Throughout the present disclosure, the term ‘magnetic field’ may refer to a varying or alternating magnetic field.

[0113] Throughout the present disclosure, the term ‘current’ may refer to an alternating current.

[0114] The heating element may be configured or configurable to heat an article received in the cavity to a temperature less than 400 degrees centigrade, for example less than 300 degrees centigrade, say less than 270 degrees centigrade. In some embodiments, the heater may be configured or configurable to heat an article for forming an aerosol received in the heating chamber to a temperature less than 250, 225, 200, 175 or 150 degrees centigrade, for example less than 140, 130, 120, 110, 100 or 90 degrees centigrade.

[0115] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power source or power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel- metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-lron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

[0116] As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” refers to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be in solid form or may be in liquid form. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid or may comprise both solid and liquid components. An aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article. The terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapor’ are used synonymously.

[0117] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a pharmaceutically active compound. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more of: tobacco, nicotine, a gel composition and a flavour agent. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine.

[0118] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more of botanicals, botanical drugs, and pharmaceutical ingredients. The one or more of botanicals, botanical drugs, and pharmaceutical ingredients may be part of an aerosol-forming substrate that can be at least partially aerosolized with an aerosol former for inhalation. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more of botanicals, botanical drugs, and pharmaceutical ingredients, wherein the substrate has an aerosol former content of between 5% and 30% by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0119] Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises plant material and an aerosol former. Preferably, the plant material is a plant material comprising an alkaloid, more preferably a plant material comprising nicotine, and more preferably a tobacco-containing material. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least 70 percent of plant material, more preferably at least 90 percent of plant material by weight on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises less than 95 percent of plant material by weight on a dry weight basis, such as from 90 to 95 percent of plant material by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0120] Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least 5 percent of aerosol former, more preferably at least 10 percent of aerosol former by weight on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises less than 30 percent of aerosol former by weight on a dry weight basis, such as from 5 to 30 percent of aerosol former by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0121] In some particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises plant material and an aerosol former, wherein the substrate has an aerosol former content of between 5% and 30% by weight on a dry weight basis. The plant material is preferably a plant material comprising an alkaloid, more preferably a plant material comprising nicotine, and more preferably a tobacco-containing material. Alkaloids are a class of naturally occurring nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Alkaloids are found mostly in plants, but are also found in bacteria, fungi and animals. Examples of alkaloids include, but are not limited to, caffeine, nicotine, theobromine, atropine and tubocurarine. A preferred alkaloid is nicotine, which may be found in tobacco.

[0122] An aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. An aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco, for example may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds, which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. In preferred embodiments an aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised tobacco material, for example cast leaf tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds, which are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol.

[0123] As used herein, the term “tobacco material” is used to describe any material comprising tobacco, including, but not limited to, tobacco leaf, tobacco rib, tobacco stem, tobacco stalk, tobacco dust, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco material and homogenised tobacco material.

[0124] As used herein, the term “homogenised tobacco” denotes a material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. Homogenized tobacco may include reconstituted tobacco or cast leaf tobacco, or a mixture of both. The term “reconstituted tobacco” refers to paperlike material that can be made from tobacco by-products, such as tobacco fines, tobacco dusts, tobacco stems, or a mixture of the foregoing. Reconstituted tobacco can be made by extracting the soluble chemicals in the tobacco by-products, processing the leftover tobacco fibers into a sheet, and then reapplying the extracted materials in concentrated form onto the sheet.

[0125] The term “cast leaf’ is used herein to refer to a sheet 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- in U.S. Patent No. 5,724,998 for making cast leaf tobacco, this reference herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety. In a cast leaf process, particulate plant materials are mixed with a liquid component, typically water, to form a slurry. Other added 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 to form a sheet of homogenised plant material.

[0126] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more flavourants. As used herein, the term "flavourant" refers to a composition having organoleptic properties, which provide a sensory experience to the user, for example to enhance the flavour of aerosol. A flavourant can be used to deliver a gustatory sensation (taste), an olfactory sensation (smell), or both a gustatory and an olfactory sensation to the user, for example when inhaling the aerosol.

[0127] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. An aerosol-generating article may be disposable. An aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate comprising tobacco may be referred to herein as a tobacco stick.

[0128] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. An aerosol-generating device may interact with one or both of an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, and a cartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. In some examples, the aerosol-generating device may heat the aerosol-forming substrate to facilitate release of volatile compounds from the substrate. An electrically operated aerosol-generating device may comprise an atomiser, such as an electric heater, to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.

[0129] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating system" refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device with an aerosol-forming substrate. When the aerosol-forming substrate forms part of an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating system refers to the combination of the aerosol-generating device with the aerosol-generating article. In the aerosol-generating system, the aerosol-forming substrate and the aerosol-generating device cooperate to generate an aerosol.

[0130] As used herein, the terms ‘proximal’, ‘distal’, ‘downstream’ and ‘upstream’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosolgenerating device and the aerosol-generating article in relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article during use thereof.

[0131] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a mouth end through which in use an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating device and is delivered to a user. In use, a user draws on the proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating device in order to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device comprises a distal end opposed to the proximal or mouth end. The proximal or mouth end of the aerosolgenerating device may also be referred to as the downstream end and the distal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal, downstream or mouth end and the distal or upstream end of the aerosol-generating device.

[0132] 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.

[0133] Example E1: An aerosol-generating device comprising a first cavity for receiving a first aerosol-generating article; a second cavity for receiving a second aerosol-generating article; and a heating matrix spatially arranged between the first cavity and the second cavity, wherein the heating matrix comprises a first major boundary surface facing towards the first cavity and a second major boundary surface opposing the first major boundary surface and facing towards the second cavity, wherein the first major boundary surface comprises a first heating arrangement for heating the first aerosol-generating article when being received in the first cavity, and wherein the second major boundary surface comprises a second heating arrangement for heating the second aerosol-generating article when being received in the second cavity.

[0134] Example E2: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E1, wherein the first heating arrangement comprises a plurality of first discrete heating portions for individually heating different portions of the first aerosol-generating article, and wherein the second heating arrangement comprises a plurality of second discrete heating portions for individually heating different portions of the second aerosol-generating article.

[0135] Example E3: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E2, wherein the device is configured such that heating of each of the first and second discrete heating portions is individually controllable.

[0136] Example E4: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E2 or Example E3, wherein each of the first and second discrete heating portions comprises an individual susceptor element configured to be inductively heated.

[0137] Example E5: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E4, wherein the heating matrix is a layered structure, the layered structure comprising a center layer of an electromagnetic shielding material and two outer layers of an electrically insulating material, wherein the two outer layers are arranged to sandwich the center layer between the two outer layers, and wherein the individual susceptor elements are arranged on the two outer layers.

[0138] Example E6: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E5, comprising, for each individual susceptor element, an individual inductor coil configured for inductively heating the respective susceptor element, preferably wherein the inductor coils are planar inductor coils.

[0139] Example E7: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E6, wherein the device is configured such that, when the first aerosol-generating article is inserted into the first cavity, the first aerosol-generating article is sandwiched between the heating matrix and the inductor coils for heating the susceptor elements of the first discrete heating portions, and, when the second aerosol-generating article is inserted into the second cavity, the second aerosol-generating article is sandwiched between the heating matrix and the inductor coils for heating the susceptor elements of the second discrete heating portions.

[0140] Example E8: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, comprising a first slidable tray for holding the first aerosol-generating article, and a second slidable tray for holding the second aerosol-generating article.

[0141] Example E9: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E8, wherein the first and second slidable trays are arranged on opposing sides of the aerosol-generating device.

[0142] Example E10: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E8 or Example E9, wherein the first slidable tray comprises a first frame structure for holding the first aerosol-generating article, and wherein the second slidable tray comprises a second frame structure for holding the second aerosol-generating article. Example E11 : The aerosol-generating device according to Example E10, wherein the first and second frame structures are one or both of differently shaped and differently sized for avoiding insertion of a wrong aerosol-generating article following the key-lock principle.

[0143] Example E12: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E10 or Example E11, wherein one or both of the first and second frame structures comprises an indexed corner, such that insertion of an aerosol-generating article having a corresponding indexed corner in the wrong orientation may be prevented.

[0144] Example E13: The aerosol-generating device according to any of Examples E10 to E12, wherein each of the first and second frame structures comprises a sealing element configured to engage with a corresponding sealing element of the heating matrix to provide a seal for the respective cavity when the respective slidable tray is closed.

[0145] Example E14: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E13, wherein the sealing elements comprise an elastic material, more preferably an elastomeric material, more preferably a material selected from one or more of: synthetic rubbers, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) styrenics, thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) LDPE, HDPE, LLDPE, and ULDPE.

[0146] Example E15: The aerosol-generating device according to any of Examples E8 to E14, wherein the first cavity forms part of the first slidable tray and the second cavity forms part of the second slidable tray.

[0147] Example E16: The aerosol-generating device according to any of Example E8 to E15, wherein the device is configured such that an insertion direction of each of the first and second slidable trays is tilted with respect to the first and second major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix, preferably wherein the device is configured such that an insertion direction of each of the first and second slidable trays is tilted with respect to the first and second major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix by a tilt angle of between 1 degree and 10 degrees, more preferably between 2 degrees and 7 degrees, more preferably between 2 degrees and 5 degrees.

[0148] Example E17: The aerosol-generating device according to any of Examples E8 to E16, comprising a first button configured for opening the first slidable tray and a second button configured for opening the second slidable tray, and wherein the first and second buttons are arranged on opposing sides of the aerosol-generating device.

[0149] Example E18: The aerosol-generating device according to any of Example E8 to E17, comprising a tray locking mechanism configured for locking the first and second slidable trays.

[0150] Example E19: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E18, wherein the tray locking mechanism is configured to prevent opening of the second slidable tray when the first slidable tray is open and to allow opening of the second slidable tray when the first slidable tray closed, and wherein the tray locking mechanism is configured to prevent opening of the first slidable tray when the second slidable tray is open and to allow opening of the first slidable tray when the second slidable tray is closed.

[0151] Example E20: The aerosol-generating device according to a combination of Examples E17 and E19, wherein the tray locking mechanism comprises a first holding means for holding the first slidable tray in the closed position and a second holding means for holding the second slidable tray in the closed position, wherein the first holding means is interlocked with the second button such that the second button is locked when the first slidable tray is open and the second button is operable to open the second slidable tray when the first slidable tray is closed, and wherein the second holding means is interlocked with the first button such that the first button is locked when the second slidable tray is open and the first button is operable to open the first slidable tray when the second slidable tray is closed.

[0152] Example E21 : The aerosol-generating device according to any of Examples E18 to E20, wherein the tray locking mechanism comprises a gravitational sensitive element, wherein the gravitational sensitive element comprises a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the gravitational sensitive element is configured to switch between the first and second configurations in dependence of an orientation of the aerosol-generating device with respect to the center of gravity, and wherein the tray locking mechanism is configured for locking the first slidable tray when the gravitational sensitive element is in the first configuration and for locking the second slidable tray when the gravitational sensitive element is in the second configuration.

[0153] Example E22: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E21 , wherein the gravitational sensitive element is configured to be in the first configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the second slidable tray is spatially located between the first slidable tray and the center of gravity, and wherein the gravitational sensitive element is configured to be in the second configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the first slidable tray is spatially located between the second slidable tray and the center of gravity.

[0154] Example E23: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E21 or Example

[0155] E22, wherein the gravitational sensitive element is a mechanical element comprising a movable lock driven by gravity, or wherein the gravitational sensitive element comprises a sensor, preferably a gyroscope sensor.

[0156] Example E24: The aerosol-generating device according to a combination of Example E6 or Example E7 and any of Examples E8 to E23, wherein the inductor coils are arranged in the first and second slidable trays such that each inductor coil is paired to its corresponding discrete heating portion when the respective first or second slidable tray is closed.

[0157] Example E25: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, comprising a first operating display and a second operating display, wherein the first and second operating displays are arranged on opposing sides of the aerosol-generating device, wherein the first operating display is arranged to provide information on the operational status of a first aerosol-generating article received in the first cavity, and wherein the second operating display is arranged to provide information on the operational status of a second aerosol-generating article received in the second cavity.

[0158] Example E26: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, comprising a longitudinal central axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the device, preferably wherein the proximal end comprises a mouthpiece.

[0159] Example E27: The aerosol-generating device according Example E26, comprising a first slidable tray for holding the first aerosol-generating article and a second slidable tray for holding the second aerosol-generating article, wherein the first and second slidable trays are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis such that the longitudinal central axis is a two-fold rotation axis with respect to the first and second slidable trays.

[0160] Example E28: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E26 or Example E27, wherein the heating matrix is arranged within the device such that the longitudinal central axis of the device extents centrally through the heating matrix parallel to and between the first and second major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix.

[0161] Example E29: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, comprising a gravitational sensitive heater control, wherein the gravitational sensitive heater control comprises a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the gravitational sensitive heater control is configured to switch between the first and second configurations in dependence of an orientation of the aerosol-generating device with respect to the center of gravity, and wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured for allowing operation of the second heating arrangement when the gravitational sensitive heater control is in the first configuration and for allowing operation of the first heating arrangement when the gravitational sensitive heater control is in the second configuration.

[0162] Example E30: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E29, wherein the gravitational sensitive heater control is configured to be in the first configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the second cavity is spatially located between the first cavity and the center of gravity, and wherein the gravitational sensitive heater control is configured to be in the second configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the first cavity is spatially located between the second cavity and the center of gravity.

[0163] Example E31 : The aerosol-generating device according to Example E29 or Example E30, wherein the gravitational sensitive heater control comprises a sensor, preferably a gyroscope sensor.

[0164] Example E32: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, comprising an airflow path extending between at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet of the device, wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are arranged in parallel in the airflow path.

[0165] Example E33: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E32, comprising a first valve means for controlling airflow through the first cavity and a second valve means for controlling airflow through the second cavity.

[0166] Example E34: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E33, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to be operable in three operational modes, the three operational modes comprising a first operational mode wherein the first valve means is opened and the second valve means is closed such that the airflow passes through the first cavity only and not through the second cavity, a second operational mode wherein the first valve means is closed and the second valve means is opened such that the airflow passes through the second cavity only and not through the first cavity, and a third operational mode wherein the first valve means is partly opened and the second valve means is partly opened such that the airflow passes through both the first cavity and the second cavity. Example E35: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E34, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to provide a constant resistance to draw of the airflow path for all three operational modes.

[0167] Example E36: The aerosol-generating device according to any of Examples E33 to E35, wherein the first and second valve means are configured as airflow electro-valves.

[0168] Example E37: The aerosol-generating device according to any of Examples E32 to E36, comprising a mixing chamber arranged downstream of the first and second cavities, wherein the airflow path is configured such that airflow coming from both the first and second cavities merges upstream of the mixing chamber, or in the mixing chamber.

[0169] Example E38: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, comprising identical first and second batteries, wherein the first battery is configured to power the first heating arrangement, and wherein the second battery is configured to power the second heating arrangement.

[0170] Example E39: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a main axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the device, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a generally cuboid shape comprising two opposing parallel major boundary surfaces and two opposing parallel minor boundary surfaces, and wherein the first and second slidable trays are arranged in opposing ones of the minor boundary surfaces of the device, such that the first and second slidable trays may be opened and closed along a sliding axis, the sliding axis being substantially perpendicular to the main axis, preferably wherein the proximal end comprises a mouthpiece.

[0171] Example E40: The aerosol-generating device according any of the preceding examples, wherein each of the first and second cavities comprises first and second major boundary surfaces, the first and second major boundary surfaces of each of the cavities extending in facing parallel relations and defining a principal flow axis for fluid flowing through the respective cavity, wherein the device is configured such that fluid flow, in use, from an inlet of the respective cavity to an outlet of the respective cavity is in a direction substantially parallel to the principal flow axis.

[0172] Example E41 : The aerosol-generating device according to Example E40, wherein an inner volume of each of the first and second cavities is generally cuboid-shaped, preferably wherein a diameter of the first and second major boundary surfaces of each cavity equals at least four times a distance between the first and second major boundary surfaces of the respective cavity.

[0173] Example E42: The aerosol-generating device according to Example E40 or Example E41, wherein the first and second major boundary surfaces of each of the first and second cavities are spaced from one another by a distance of less than 5 millimeters.

[0174] Example E43: An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0175] Example E44: The aerosol-generating system according to Example E43, wherein the aerosol-generating article is the first aerosol-generating article, wherein the first aerosol-generating article comprises a major boundary surface, the major boundary surface of the first aerosol-generating article comprising a plurality of discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions, wherein the first heating arrangement of the aerosol-generating device comprises a plurality of first discrete heating portions for individually heating the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions of the first aerosol-generating article, and wherein the aerosol-generating system is configured such that, when the first aerosolgenerating article is inserted into the first cavity, each of the first discrete heating portions overlies one of the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions of the first aerosol-generating article.

[0176] Example E45: The aerosol-generating system according to Example E44, comprising a further aerosol-generating article, wherein the further aerosol-generating article is the second aerosol-generating article, wherein the second aerosol-generating article comprises a major boundary surface, the major boundary surface of the second aerosol-generating article comprising a plurality of discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions, wherein the second heating arrangement of the aerosol-generating device comprises a plurality of second discrete heating portions for individually heating the discrete aerosolforming substrate portions of the second aerosol-generating article, and wherein the aerosol-generating system is configured such that, when the second aerosol-generating article is inserted into the second cavity, each of the second discrete heating portions overlies one of the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions of the second aerosol-generating article.

[0177] Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

[0178] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows an aerosol-generating system;

[0179] Figs. 2a to 2c show heating matrices;

[0180] Figs. 3a and 3b show a heating matrix and an aerosol-generating article;

[0181] Fig. 4 shows an aerosol-generating device;

[0182] Figs. 5a and 5b show parts of an aerosol-generating system;

[0183] Figs. 6a to 6c show an aerosol-generating device;

[0184] Figs. 7 and 8 show an aerosol-generating device; and

[0185] Figs. 9a to 9c, 10a, and 10b show an aerosol-generating system.

[0186] Fig. 1 schematically shows, in a cross-sectional view, an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device comprises a first cavity 10 for receiving a first aerosol-generating article 12. The aerosol-generating device comprises a second cavity 20 for receiving a second aerosol-generating article 22. The aerosol-generating system comprises the aerosol-generating device and one or both of the first and second aerosol-generating articles 12, 22.

[0187] The aerosol-generating device comprises a heating matrix 30 spatially arranged between the first cavity 10 and the second cavity 20. The heating matrix 30 comprises a first major boundary surface 40 facing towards the first cavity 10. The heating matrix 30 comprises a second major boundary surface 50 opposing the first major boundary surface 40 and facing towards the second cavity 20. The first major boundary surface 40 comprises a first heating arrangement for heating the first aerosol-generating article 12 when being received in the first cavity 10. The second major boundary surface 50 comprises a second heating arrangement for heating the second aerosol-generating article 22 when being received in the second cavity 20.

[0188] The aerosol-generating device comprises an airflow path extending from at least one air inlet arranged at a distal end of the device, through the first and second cavities 10, 20 to at least one air outlet 64 arranged at a proximal end of the device. The first cavity 10 and the second cavity 20 are arranged in parallel in the airflow path. The at least one air inlet may comprise a first air inlet 60 being fluidly connected to the first cavity 10 and a second air inlet 62 being fluidly connected to the second cavity 20. The device comprises a longitudinal central axis 100 extending between the distal end and the proximal end of the device.

[0189] The first and second cavities 10, 20 may be structurally identical, or may be structurally similar. Heating of the first and second cavities 10, 20 by means of the respective first and second heating arrangements may be individually controlled by a common control unit of the device. The device may thus be considered to represent an aerosol-generating device with a twin heater for heating two articles. The airflow through the first and second cavities 10, 20 may be individually controlled by the common control unit of the device.

[0190] Figs. 2a to 2c show heating matrices 30 in perspective views. The heating matrices shown in Figs. 2a to 2c may be used, for example, in the aerosol-generating device of Fig. 1.

[0191] Fig. 2a shows a heating matrix 30 in an exploded view.

[0192] The first heating arrangement arranged on the first major boundary surface 40 comprises a plurality of first discrete heating portions 42 for individually heating different portions of the first aerosol-generating article 12. The second heating arrangement arranged on the second major boundary surface 50 comprises a plurality of second discrete heating portions 52 for individually heating different portions of the second aerosol-generating article 22. The aerosol-generating device is preferably configured such that heating of each of the first and second discrete heating portions 42, 52 is individually controllable.

[0193] Each of the first and second discrete heating portions 42, 52 may comprise an individual susceptor element 42, 52 configured to be inductively heated. Preferably, the aerosol-generating device comprises, for each individual susceptor element 42, 52, an individual inductor coil, preferably an individual planar inductor coil, configured for inductively heating the respective susceptor elements 42, 52.

[0194] The heating matrix 30 of Fig. 2a is a layered structure. The layered structure comprises a center layer 32 of an electromagnetic shielding material and two outer layers 44, 54 of an electrically insulating material. The two outer layers 44, 54 are arranged to sandwich the center layer 32 between the two outer layers 44, 54. The individual heating portions 42, 52 are arranged on the two outer layers 44, 54.

[0195] The dotted lines on the layer 54 indicate that the second discrete heating portions 52 are located on the bottom side of layer 54 and are thus not visible in the perspective view of Fig. 2a.

[0196] Fig. 2b shows the heating matrix 30 of Fig. 2a in an assembled configuration.

[0197] Fig. 2c shows a heating matrix 30 similar to the heating matrix of Figs. 2a and 2b. In difference to the heating matrix of Figs. 2a and 2b, the heating matrix 30 of Fig. 2c comprises a sealing element 34 surrounding the periphery of the two outer layers 44, 54. Further in difference to the heating matrix 30 of Figs. 2a and 2b, the heating matrix 30 of Fig. 2c comprises bridge elements 36 for mounting the heating matrix 30 within the aerosolgenerating device.

[0198] Figs. 3a and 3b exemplarily show the interaction of the heating matrix 30 with the first aerosol-generating article 12 during use of the aerosol-generating system. The first aerosolgenerating article 12 may be brought into close proximity to the first major boundary surface 40 of the heating matrix 30 comprising the outer layer 44 with the plurality of first discrete heating portions 42. The first aerosol-generating article 12 comprises a major boundary surface 14. The aerosol-generating article 12 may have indexed corner 15 for preventing its insertion in a wrong orientation.

[0199] The major boundary surface 14 of the first aerosol-generating article 12 comprises a plurality of discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16. When the first aerosol-generating article 12 is inserted into the first cavity 10, each of the first discrete heating portions 42 overlies one of the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16 of the first aerosolgenerating article 12 as indicated in Fig. 3b. The plurality of first discrete heating portions 42 is configured for individually heating the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16 of the first aerosol-generating article 12. Each discrete heating portion 42 is dedicated to one of the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16. Each two discrete heating portions 42 may be dedicated to each one of the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16. This may allow for both a stepwise consumption of an individual discrete aerosol-forming substrate portion 16, or a consumption in one step when both discrete heating portions 42 dedicated to the one discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions are heated at the same time.

[0200] The second aerosol-generating article (not shown in Figs. 3a and 3c) may be structured similar to the first aerosol-generating article 12 and may be located on the bottom side of the heating matrix 30 during use, such that the heating matrix 30 is sandwiched by the first and second aerosol-generating articles 12, 22 as indicated in Fig. 1.

[0201] The discrete heating portions 42, 52 may be individual susceptor elements. When the aerosol generating article 12, 22 is well placed in the cavity 10, 20, it matches geometrically and dimensionally with the matrix of heating portions of the surface of the heating matrix 30. This way, the aerosol-forming substrate portions are coincident and dimensionally proportional to the susceptor elements, which may be designed to work paired with respective inductor coils. Once the inductor coils are powered, managed by the control unit of the aerosol-generating device according to an operating mode, one or more susceptor elements will turn hot, generating a temperature that is transferred to the corresponding aerosol-forming substrate portion, and this way generating a specific aerosol. Each inductor coil may be powered and managed independently, and therefore creating a temperature profile specifically in the respective susceptor element, which will heat the specific aerosolforming substrate portion generating an aerosol.

[0202] Fig. 4 shows an aerosol-generating device in cross-sectional view. The aerosolgenerating device comprises first and second cavities 10, 20 for receiving first and second aerosol-generating articles (not shown in Fig. 4), respectively. The heating matrix 30 is spatially arranged between the first and second cavities 10, 20. The heating matrix 30 may be a heating matrix 30 as shown in Figs. 2a to 2c, comprising first and second discrete heating portions 42, 52 at opposing sides thereof. The aerosol-generating device comprises an airflow path extending from two air inlets 60, 62 through the first and second cavities 10, 20 to an air outlet 64.

[0203] The first cavity 10 and the second cavity 20 are arranged in parallel in the airflow path. A first branch of the airflow path extends from the first air inlet 60 along a first upstream portion 66 upstream of the first cavity 10 to the first cavity 10 and, then, along a first downstream portion 70 downstream of the first cavity 10 to a mixing chamber 74. A second branch of the airflow path extends from the second air inlet 62 along a second upstream portion 68 upstream of the second cavity 20 to the second cavity 20 and, then, along a second downstream portion 72 downstream of the second cavity 20 to the mixing chamber 74. The first and second branches of the airflow path are thus arranged in parallel and merge in the mixing chamber 74. The mixing chamber may function as one or both of a homogenization chamber and a cooling chamber.

[0204] The first upstream portion 66 comprises a first valve means 76 for controlling airflow through the first cavity 10. The second upstream portion 68 comprises a second valve means 78 for controlling airflow through the second cavity 20. Preferably, the first and second valve means 76, 78 are airflow electro-valves.

[0205] The overall retention to draw (RTD) of the aerosol-generating device, perceived by a user, may be managed by the control unit 90 of the aerosol-generating device. The control unit 90 may be configured to power and control the airflow electro-valves 76, 78. Such electro-valves may be defined and engineered to provide a total RTD value when operating individually, and half of the total RTD when both aerosolization chambers 10, 20 are simultaneously working. This way, the total RTD perceived by the user at the air outlet 64, may be held consistent and stable during all the user experience, independently of whether one or both of the first and second cavities 10, 20 are actively generating aerosol that is homogenized and cooled in chamber 74 prior inhalation. Such RTD of the device, at the final aerosolization outlet 64, may be of about 20 to 220 millimeters of water, preferably of about 70 to 140 millimeters of water.

[0206] The aerosol-generating device comprises a mouthpiece 80 at a proximal end thereof. The mixing chamber 74 and the air outlet 64 are arranged in the mouthpiece 80.

[0207] The aerosol-generating device comprises, for each individual susceptor element of the first discrete heating portions 42, a first individual inductor coil 43 configured for inductively heating the respective susceptor element. The aerosol-generating device comprises, for each individual susceptor element of the second discrete heating portions 52, a second individual inductor coil 53 configured for inductively heating the respective susceptor element. Preferably, the inductor coils 43, 53 are planar inductor coils. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, there are five first discrete heating portions 42 and five second discrete heating portions 52 arranged along a longitudinal axis of the device, such that there are, in total, ten individual inductor coils 43, 53.

[0208] The aerosol-generating device is configured such that, when the first aerosolgenerating article (not shown in Fig. 4) is inserted into the first cavity 10, the first aerosolgenerating article is sandwiched between the heating matrix 30 and the first inductor coils 43 for heating the susceptor elements of the first discrete heating portions 42, and, when the second aerosol-generating article (not shown in Fig. 4) is inserted into the second cavity 20, the second aerosol-generating article is sandwiched between the heating matrix 30 and the second inductor coils 53 for heating the susceptor elements of the second discrete heating portions 52.

[0209] The aerosol-generating device comprises a first operating display 82 and a second operating display 84. The first and second operating displays 82, 84 are arranged on opposing sides of the aerosol-generating device. The first operating display 82 is configured to provide information on the operational status of a first aerosol-generating article received in the first cavity 10. The second operating display 84 is configured to provide information on the operational status of a second aerosol-generating article received in the second cavity 20.

[0210] The aerosol-generating device comprises a first battery 86. The first battery 86 is configured to power the first inductor coils 43. The aerosol-generating device comprises a second battery 88. The second battery 88 is configured to power the second inductor coils 53.

[0211] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a layer of a magnetic shielding material arranged between the first inductor coils 43 and the first battery 86. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a layer of a magnetic shielding material arranged between the second inductor coils 53 and the second battery 88.

[0212] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a charging and data port 92 electrically connected to the control unit 90.

[0213] Each of the first and second discrete heating portions 42, 52 may be individually controllable. Thereby, the aerosol-generating device may be operated in different heating modes, where different ones of the first and second discrete heating portions 42, 52 are activated. This is exemplarily shown in Figs. 5a and 5b.

[0214] Figs. 5a and 5b show a subsection of an aerosol-generating system in cross- sectional views in different heating modes. The upper parts of Figs. 5a and 5b each show a side view as in Fig. 4, but rotated clockwise by 90 degrees. The lower parts show top views rotated by 90 degrees along the longitudinal axis. The upper parts show the cross-sections A-A as indicated by arrows and denoted with an “A” in the lower parts. The aerosol-generating device of the system of Figs. 5a and 5b is highly similar to the device of Fig. 4, with the exception that the device of Figs. 5a and 5b comprises individual first and second mixing chambers arranged in the first and second downstream portions of the parallelly arranged first and second branches of the airflow path, as indicated by the first mixing chamber 73 being visible in the subsection of the device of Figs. 5a and 5b. Figs. 5a and 5b only show a subsection of the aerosol-generating device, focusing on the first branch and the first cavity 10 with its five first discrete heating portions 42a to 42e and its five first individual inductor coils 43a-43e. However, the second branch and second cavity 20 comprise a similar mirrored arrangement.

[0215] In each of Figs. 5a and 5b, a first aerosol-generating article 12 comprising five discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16a to 16e arranged on its major boundary surface 14 is received in the first cavity 10. The five aerosol-forming substrate portions 16a to 16e may comprise identical compositions of aerosol-forming substrate as indicated by a common contrast of the portions in Fig. 5a, or may comprise different compositions of aerosol-forming substrate as exemplarily indicated by different contrasts of the portions in Fig. 5b.

[0216] Fig. 5a shows a first heating mode, wherein only one inductor coil 43c of the first individual inductor coils 43a to 43e is operated to heat the corresponding susceptor element of the discrete heating portion 42c. In turn, only the corresponding one 16c of the five discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16a to 16e is heated to generate an aerosol.

[0217] Fig. 5b shows a second heating mode, wherein two inductor coils 43a and 43c of the first individual inductor coils 43a to 43e are operated to heat the corresponding susceptor elements of the discrete heating portions 42a and 42c. In turn, the corresponding two 16a and 16c of the five discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16a to 16e are heated to generate an aerosol. The evaporated components of the two portions 16a and 16e may mix in the first mixing chamber 73.

[0218] The system may operate in various further operational modes and heating modes, allowing for many different combinations, wherein one or more of the first and / or second discrete heating portions 42, 52 are activated. Simultaneous and / or sequential activation is possible. An aerosol-generating device may be provided which allows for numerous different operational modes and heating modes, depending on a user’s preference and / or depending on the types of aerosol-generating articles used.

[0219] Due to the individually controllable discrete heating portions and corresponding aerosol-forming substrate portions, a consistent and repeatable consumption and user experience may be provided.

[0220] In addition to allowing for a consistent and repeatable consumption and user experience, the device may enable high level of customization. A user can always select specific operation modes, fully customizable, where it’s possible to inhale a specific aerosol produced by a specific portion of aerosol-forming substrate incorporated in the aerosolgenerating articles, at any time, and create combinations and sequences of aerosols as desired. This is a unique and differentiating benefit and feature of this device, taking the best out of the characteristics of the articles.

[0221] As previously explained, the aerosol-generating device of the invention may take the best out of the characteristics of the aerosol-generating article with multi-portions of aerosolforming substrate. This may particularly beneficial for applications where accurate dosing is required for inhalation, for example according to a medical prescription of a specific medication to be inhaled. Therefore, the aerosol-generating device may comply with applications of consumables and devices within the scope of Life-Sciences or Medical Delivery Devices, where accurate control dosing of aerosolization can be mandatory.

[0222] In fact, such requirements of accurate total aerosolization per aerosol-forming substrate portion, as dosing, can be achieved using aerosol-generating articles described above, used in the aerosol-generating device as disclosed herein. Any aerosolization may be generated independently, with high precision, including assuring total aerosolization of the specific volume of aerosol existing in each aerosol-forming substrate portion. This way, the device may operate performing within compliance of Life-Sciences, and Delivery Devices, aerosolizing aerosol-forming substrates incorporating actives substances, including medication that can be intake by inhalation, or preferably by inhalation, as well as active substances within the scope of wellbeing, including aerosols produced based on botanicals.

[0223] For example, where an aerosol-generating article having identical discrete aerosolforming substrate portions as in Fig. 5a is used, accurate aerosolization may be produced based on the precise volume of each portion being individually provided for inhalation driven by the puff of the user. This is an example of ideal situation in the case of users requiring regular daily inhalation of medication, with frequent inhalation of medication during the day. The device can assure those requirements, while in a very compact and portable device, assuring multi-dose delivery for daily, or weekly intake.

[0224] For example, where one or two aerosol-generating articles having different discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions as in Fig. 5b are used, a user may choose between various different combinations of different types of aerosols, depending on a chosen combination of heated discrete portions according to a user’s preferences.

[0225] Figs. 6a to 6c show an aerosol-generating device, for example the aerosol-generating device of any of the preceding figures.

[0226] Figs. 6a and 6b show the aerosol-generating device along six different viewing directions. Fig. 6a shows four viewing directions perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 100, each rotated by another 90 degrees along the longitudinal central axis 100 from top to bottom.

[0227] A first major boundary surface of the aerosol-generating device comprises the first operating display 82. The first major boundary surface further comprises a first button 94.

[0228] A second major boundary surface of the aerosol-generating device comprises the second operating display 84. The second major boundary surface further comprises a second button 96. The second major boundary surface opposes the first major boundary surface. The first and second buttons 94, 96 are arranged on opposing sides of the aerosolgenerating device. The first and second operating displays 82, 84 are arranged on opposing sides of the aerosol-generating device.

[0229] The first operating display 82 is configured to provide information on the operational status of the first aerosol-generating article 12 when received in the first cavity 10. The second operating display 84 is configured to provide information on the operational status of the second aerosol-generating article 22 when received in the second cavity 20.

[0230] A first minor boundary surface of the aerosol-generating device comprises a first insertion means for insertion of the first aerosol-generating article 12 into the first cavity 10. The first insertion means be configured as a first slidable tray 11 for holding the first aerosolgenerating article 12.

[0231] A second minor boundary surface of the aerosol-generating device comprises a second insertion means for insertion of the second aerosol-generating article 22 into the second cavity 20. The second insertion means be configured as a second slidable tray 21 for holding the second aerosol-generating article 22.

[0232] The first and second slidable trays 11 , 21 are arranged on opposing sides of the aerosol-generating device.

[0233] The first and second slidable trays 11, 21 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis 100, such that the longitudinal central axis is a twofold rotation axis with respect to the first and second slidable trays 11 , 21.

[0234] The first button 94 is configured for opening the first slidable tray 11. The second button 96 is configured for opening the second slidable tray 21.

[0235] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a tray locking mechanism. The tray locking mechanism is configured for locking one of the first and second slidable trays 11, 21 at a time. The tray locking mechanism is configured to prevent opening of the second slidable tray 21 when the first slidable tray 11 is open. The tray locking mechanism is configured to allow opening of the second slidable tray 21 when the first slidable tray 11 closed. The tray locking mechanism is configured to prevent opening of the first slidable tray 11 when the second slidable tray 21 is open. The tray locking mechanism is configured to allow opening of the first slidable tray 11 when the second slidable tray 21 closed. The tray locking mechanism comprises a first holding means for holding the first slidable tray 11 in the closed position and a second holding means for holding the second slidable tray 21 in the closed position. The first holding means is interlocked with the second button 96 such that the second button 96 is locked when the first slidable tray 11 is open and the second button 96 is operable to open the second slidable tray 21 when the first slidable tray 11 is closed. The second holding means is interlocked with the first button 94 such that the first button 94 is locked when the second slidable 21 tray is open and the first button 94 is operable to open the first slidable tray 11 when the second slidable tray 21 is closed.

[0236] The tray locking mechanism may comprise a gravitational sensitive element comprising a first configuration and a second configuration. The gravitational sensitive element is configured to switch between the first and second configurations in dependence of an orientation of the aerosol-generating device with respect to the center of gravity. The tray locking mechanism is configured for locking the first slidable tray 11 when the gravitational sensitive element is in the first configuration and to lock the second slidable tray when the gravitational sensitive element is in the second configuration. The gravitational sensitive element is configured to be in the first configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the second slidable tray 21 is spatially located between the first slidable tray 11 and the center of gravity. The gravitational sensitive element is configured to be in the second configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the first slidable tray 11 is spatially located between the second slidable tray 21 and the center of gravity.

[0237] The second slidable tray 21 may be spatially located between the first slidable tray 11 and the first major boundary surface of the aerosol-generating device comprising the first operating display 82. The first slidable tray 11 may be spatially located between the second slidable tray 21 and the second major boundary surface of the aerosol-generating device comprising the second operating display 84.

[0238] For example, when the aerosol-generating device is lying on a table, the first slidable tray 11 may be operable when the first major boundary surface comprising the first operating display 82 is lying on top, and the second slidable tray 21 is operable when the second major boundary surface comprising the second operating display 84 is lying on top. “Lying on top” means facing upwards away from the center of gravity and being visible to a user. Thereby, usability of the device may be improved. For example, it may be prevented that a user accidentally opens a wrong tray. For example, opening a tray being upside down may cause the aerosol-generating article to accidentally fall out of the tray. If a user wants to charge both trays 11 , 21 , it is possible to be done one by one, separately, by charging one tray, and then turning the device by 180 degrees and charging the other tray. Fig. 6b shows two viewing directions along the longitudinal central axis 100. The lefthand side of Fig. 6b shows a view onto the proximal end of the device such that the air outlet 64 at the mouthpiece 80 is visible. The right-hand side of Fig. 6b shows a view onto the distal end of the device such that the air inlets 60, 62 and the charging and data port 92 are visible.

[0239] Fig. 6c shows an example of the technical configuration of the device allowing to use the operating displays 82, 84 to provide a comfortable and practical user experience. For example, by means of the first operating display 82, it may be allowed for a user to be notified on the remaining amounts of each of the first discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16a to 16e of the first aerosol-generating article 12 by means of indicator bars 82a to 82e. For example, the operating displays 82, 84 may be OLED displays or any other suitable displays known to the skilled person.

[0240] The aerosol-generating device thus may incorporate two independent operating displays 82 84, interfacing with each of the first and second heating arrangements. Thereby, the device may be operable to display a visual indication of the exact consumption of each of the two aerosol-generating articles 12, 22. The device may further be operable to display a visual indication of the exact consumption of each sub-portions of the two aerosol-generating articles. This may be achieved by a control unit configured to power each first and second discrete heating portions 42, 52 independently. The control unit may store information on which of the heating portions 42, 52 have been activated for a given aerosol-generating article 12, 22, and therefore may indicate which portions of aerosol-forming substrate were already consumed, or are in-progress of consumption.

[0241] Fig. 7 shows the aerosol-generating device of Fig. 6 having the first slidable tray 11 opened along five different viewing directions. The first slidable tray 11 comprises a first frame structure 112 for holding the first aerosol-generating article 12. The first frame structure 112 comprises an indexed corner 114. Thereby, insertion of an aerosol-generating article 12 having a corresponding indexed corner 15 in a wrong orientation may be prevented. The first frame structure 112 comprises a sealing element 116 configured to engage with a corresponding sealing element 34 of the heating matrix 30 to provide a seal for the first cavity 10 when first slidable tray 11 is closed.

[0242] Fig. 8 shows the aerosol-generating device of Fig. 6 having both the first slidable tray 11 and the second slidable tray 21 opened along three different viewing directions. The configuration shown in Fig. 8 is for illustrative purposes, only, to emphasize the two-fold rotational symmetry of the aerosol-generating device around the longitudinal central axis 100 with respect to the first and second slidable trays 11, 21. However, where the device comprises a tray locking mechanism, it may be made practically impossible by the tray locking mechanism for a user to open both the first and second slidable trays 11, 21 at the same time. Fig. 8 shows that the second slidable tray 21 is structurally similar to the first slidable tray 11 and comprises a second frame structure 122 for holding the second aerosolgenerating article 22. The second frame structure 122 comprises an indexed corner 124. The indexed corners 114, 124 of the first and second frame structures 112, 122 may be structurally identical. The indexed corners 114, 124 of the first and second frame structures 112, 122 may be structurally different to avoid insertion of the first aerosol-generating article 12 into the second frame structure 122 and vice versa.

[0243] The second frame structure 122 comprises a sealing element 126 configured to engage with a corresponding sealing element 34 of the heating matrix 30 to provide a seal for the second cavity 20 when second slidable tray 21 is closed.

[0244] Figs. 9a to 9c exemplarily show insertion of a first aerosol-generating article 12 into the aerosol-generating device of Fig. 8. The device in Figs. 9b and 9c is shown in a cross- sectional view along line A-A shown in Fig. 8, however, now having the second slidable tray 21 in the closed position.

[0245] Fig. 9a shows the first aerosol-generating article 12 with its major boundary surface 14 having an indexed corner 15. The dotted lines indicate that the discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16 are located on the back-side.

[0246] Fig. 9b shows that the first aerosol-generating article 12 is then positioned (with its discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16 pointing towards the center of gravity) on top of the opened first slidable tray 11 , such that the indexed corner 15 of the article 12 matches with the indexed corner 114 of the first frame structure 112 of the first slidable tray 11.

[0247] Then, the first aerosol-generating article 12 may be received in the first frame structure 112 of the first slidable tray 11 as shown in Fig. 9c. An arrow in Fig. 9c indicates how the first slidable tray 11 may then be closed along a closing direction 132.

[0248] It can also be seen in Figs. 9b and 9c, that the first individual inductor coils 43 are part of the first slidable tray 11. Similarly, the second individual inductor coils 53 are part of the second slidable tray 21.

[0249] Fig. 10a shows the aerosol-generating system of Fig. 9c after the first slidable tray 11 having been closed. The second cavity 20 is still empty.

[0250] Also indicated in Fig. 10a are optional layers of a shielding material 130 which may be arranged in each tray 11 , 21 in proximity to the respective inductor coils 43, 53 at a side thereof pointing away from the respective cavity 10, 20.

[0251] Also shown in Fig. 10a is an airflow opening 701 for the airflow to enter from the first cavity 10 into the first downstream portion 70, and an airflow opening 721 for the airflow to enter from the second cavity 20 into the second downstream portion 72.

[0252] The aerosol-generating device is configured such that an insertion direction 132 of each of the first and second slidable trays 11 , 21 is tilted with respect to the first and second major boundary surfaces 40, 50 of the heating matrix 30. Preferably, the insertion direction of each of the first and second slidable trays 11 , 21 is tilted with respect to the first and second major boundary surfaces 40, 50 of the heating matrix 30 by a tilt angle “a” of between 1 degree and 10 degrees, more preferably between 2 degrees and 7 degrees, more preferably between 2 degrees and 5 degrees.

[0253] As shown in Fig. 10b, the tilt angle “a” is the angle between the insertion direction 132 and a plane 136 which extends in parallel to the first and second major boundary surfaces 40, 50 of the heating matrix 30.

[0254] Due to the diagonal movement of the first slidable tray 11 in reference to the planar surface 136 of the heating matrix 30, the force applied to close the tray also translates to a vertical force 134 progressively applied on the overall respective bottom major boundary surface 40 of the heating matrix 30, which is maintained when the tray 11 kept fully closed. At that stage of the first slidable tray 11 being closed, the bottom surface of the respective first aerosol-generating article 12 is fully in contact with the first discrete heating portions 42, existing at the first major boundary surface 40 of the heating matrix 30. The discrete heating portions 42 are then in close proximity with discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16 arranged on the other side of the major boundary surface 14 of the first aerosol-generating article 12, and the heat can be transferred through the major boundary surface 14 of the first aerosol-generating article 12 from each discrete aerosol-forming substrate portions 16 to the corresponding discrete aerosol-forming substrate portion 16. This analogously applies for the diagonal movement of the second slidable tray 21.

[0255] The specific design, with the trays 11, 21 showing an angularity in reference to the plane 136 of the heating matrix 30 as indicated by angle “a” may beneficially assist in assuring a perfect closing of the trays 11, 21 with close contact of the parts and elements once the tray 11, 21 is fully closed, and maintained closed. This way, key parts may be kept in close contact to help assure optimal heat transfer. The angularity of the sliding movement of the trays 11 , 21 in reference to the plane 136 of the surface of the heating matrix 30 may create a vertical force, once the tray is progressively closed, reaching its maximum when the tray is fully closed. Then, the tray may be maintained closed by the locking mechanism operated in interaction with the respective button 94, 96. All parts are then in their right place and the major boundary surface of the respective aerosol-generating article 12, 22 is in close contact with the respective first or second discrete heating portions 42, 52, while the sealing element 116, 126 of the respective tray 11 , 22 is in full contact with the sealing element 34 of the heating matrix 30. This way a hermetical closing of the cavities 10, 20 may be achieved.

[0256] Once a user presses the operating button 94, 96 to open the respective tray 11, 21 , the tray opens, preferably spring loaded. The user may load the tray 11, 21 by placing the respective aerosol-generating article 12, 22 into the respective first or second frame structure 112, 122. Once the aerosol-generating article 12, 22 is in the tray 11, 21, the user may manually close the tray 11 , 21, which may then remain closed based by a locking mechanism that is interlocked with the respective button 94, 96 by rearming the mechanism interlocked with said button.

[0257] The first slidable tray 11 comprises the first cavity 10 as an intruded part, which is solidly surrounded by the frame structure 112 and sealing element 116. The second slidable tray 21 comprise the second cavity 20 as an intruded part, which is solidly surrounded by the frame structure 122 and sealing element 126. Those sealing elements 116, 126 functionally interface with the corresponding sealing element 34 incorporated in the heating matrix 30. Once a tray 11, 21 is closed, its sealing element 116, 126 gets in direct contact with the sealing element 34 of the heating matrix 30, and each cavity 10, 20 becomes hermetically closed, and staying that way in close contact by its matching geometrical shape and elastic properties of its sealing materials, as well as by the vertical force 134 which is applied by the angularity of the insertion direction 132 between those sealing elements and the surface of the aerosol-generating article 12, 22 and the surface of the heating matrix 30, once the trays are closed. All those technical solutions and features work independently in each tray and cavity, opening and hermetically closing independently.

[0258] When closed, each tray 11, 21 matches the heating matrix 30 inside the device, which comprises a plurality of susceptor elements 42, 52, corresponding to each portion of aerosol-forming substrate existing in the first and second aerosol-generating articles 12, 22. Each tray 11 , 21 incorporates a matrix of a plurality of flat inductor coils 43, 53 that pair with the susceptor elements 42, 52 of the heating matrix 30. A control unit of the device may therefore be able to manage the power of each individual flat inductor coil 43, 53, and this way generating heat through the paired susceptor element 42, 52, transferring heat to the corresponding aerosol-forming substrate portion, reaching the temperature profile for aerosolization. Driven by the puff of the user, the generated aerosol flows towards an air outlet to be inhaled by a user.

[0259] Figs. 7 to 10 also show that the aerosol-generating device comprises a generally cuboid shape comprising two opposing parallel major boundary surfaces which comprise the first and second buttons 94, 96 and the first and second operating displays 82, 84, and two opposing parallel minor boundary surfaces which comprise the first and second slidable trays 11 , 21. The first and second slidable trays 11, 21 are arranged in opposing ones of the minor boundary surfaces of the device, such that the first and second slidable trays 11, 21 may be opened and closed in opposing directions along a sliding axis, the sliding axis being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 100. The first and second slidable trays 11, 21 are thus existing in opposing lateral sides of the aerosol-generating device.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol-generating device comprising a first cavity for receiving a first aerosol-generating article; a second cavity for receiving a second aerosol-generating article; and a heating matrix spatially arranged between the first cavity and the second cavity, wherein the heating matrix comprises a first major boundary surface facing towards the first cavity and a second major boundary surface opposing the first major boundary surface and facing towards the second cavity, wherein the first major boundary surface comprises a first heating arrangement for heating the first aerosol-generating article when being received in the first cavity, and wherein the second major boundary surface comprises a second heating arrangement for heating the second aerosol-generating article when being received in the second cavity.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first heating arrangement comprises a plurality of first discrete heating portions for individually heating different portions of the first aerosol-generating article, and wherein the second heating arrangement comprises a plurality of second discrete heating portions for individually heating different portions of the second aerosol-generating article, and wherein the device is configured such that heating of each of the first and second discrete heating portions is individually controllable.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first and second discrete heating portions comprises an individual susceptor element configured to be inductively heated.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the heating matrix is a layered structure, the layered structure comprising a center layer of an electromagnetic shielding material and two outer layers of an electrically insulating material, wherein the two outer layers are arranged to sandwich the center layer between the two outer layers, and wherein the individual susceptor elements are arranged on the two outer layers.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 4, comprising, for each individual susceptor element, an individual planar inductor coil configured for inductively heating the respective susceptor element,wherein the device is configured such that, when the first aerosol-generating article is inserted into the first cavity, the first aerosol-generating article is sandwiched between the heating matrix and the inductor coils for heating the susceptor elements of the first discrete heating portions, and, when the second aerosol-generating article is inserted into the second cavity, the second aerosol-generating article is sandwiched between the heating matrix and the inductor coils for heating the susceptor elements of the second discrete heating portions.

6. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a first slidable tray for holding the first aerosol-generating article, and a second slidable tray for holding the second aerosol-generating article, wherein the first and second slidable trays are arranged on opposing sides of the aerosol-generating device, wherein the first slidable tray comprises a first frame structure for holding the first aerosol-generating article, and wherein the second slidable tray comprises a second frame structure for holding the second aerosol-generating article, and wherein the first cavity forms part of the first slidable tray and the second cavity forms part of the second slidable tray.

7. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 6, wherein the device is configured such that an insertion direction of each of the first and second slidable trays is tilted with respect to the first and second major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix, preferably wherein the device is configured such that an insertion direction of each of the first and second slidable trays is tilted with respect to the first and second major boundary surfaces of the heating matrix by a tilt angle of between 1 degree and 10 degrees, more preferably between 2 degrees and 7 degrees, more preferably between 2 degrees and 5 degrees.

8. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 6 or claim 7, comprising a tray locking mechanism configured for locking the first and second slidable trays, wherein the tray locking mechanism is configured to prevent opening of the second slidable tray when the first slidable tray is open and to allow opening of the second slidable tray when the first slidable tray closed, and wherein the tray locking mechanism is configured to prevent opening of the first slidable tray when the second slidable tray is open and to allow opening of the first slidable tray when the second slidable tray is closed.

9. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 8, comprising a first button configured for opening the first slidable tray and a second button configured for opening the second slidable tray, wherein the first and second buttons are arranged on opposing sides of the aerosolgenerating device, wherein the tray locking mechanism comprises a first holding means for holding the first slidable tray in the closed position and a second holding means for holding the second slidable tray in the closed position, wherein the first holding means is interlocked with the second button such that the second button is locked when the first slidable tray is open and the second button is operable to open the second slidable tray when the first slidable tray is closed, and wherein the second holding means is interlocked with the first button such that the first button is locked when the second slidable tray is open and the first button is operable to open the first slidable tray when the second slidable tray is closed.

10. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the tray locking mechanism comprises a gravitational sensitive element, wherein the gravitational sensitive element comprises a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the gravitational sensitive element is configured to switch between the first and second configurations in dependence of an orientation of the aerosol-generating device with respect to the center of gravity, and wherein the tray locking mechanism is configured for locking the first slidable tray when the gravitational sensitive element is in the first configuration and for locking the second slidable tray when the gravitational sensitive element is in the second configuration.

11. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 10, wherein the gravitational sensitive element is configured to be in the first configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the second slidable tray is spatially located between the first slidable tray and the center of gravity, and wherein the gravitational sensitive element is configured to be in the second configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the first slidable tray is spatially located between the second slidable tray and the center of gravity.

12. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a first operating display and a second operating display, wherein the first and second operating displays are arranged on opposing sides of the aerosol-generating device, wherein the first operating display is arranged to provide information on the operational status of a first aerosol-generating article received in the first cavity, and wherein the second operating display is arranged to provide information on the operational status of a second aerosol-generating article received in the second cavity.

13. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a gravitational sensitive heater control, wherein the gravitational sensitive heater control comprises a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the gravitational sensitive heater control is configured to switch between the first and second configurations in dependence of an orientation of the aerosol-generating device with respect to the center of gravity, and wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured for allowing operation of the second heating arrangement when the gravitational sensitive heater control is in the first configuration and for allowing operation of the first heating arrangement when the gravitational sensitive heater control is in the second configuration, wherein the gravitational sensitive heater control is configured to be in the first configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the second cavity is spatially located between the first cavity and the center of gravity, wherein the gravitational sensitive heater control is configured to be in the second configuration when the aerosol-generating device is oriented with respect to the center of gravity such that the first cavity is spatially located between the second cavity and the center of gravity, and wherein the gravitational sensitive heater control comprises a sensor, preferably a gyroscope sensor.

14. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an airflow path extending between at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet of the device, wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are arranged in parallel in the airflow path,the aerosol-generating device further comprising a first valve means for controlling airflow through the first cavity and a second valve means for controlling airflow through the second cavity, wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured to be operable in three operational modes, the three operational modes comprising a first operational mode wherein the first valve means is opened and the second valve means is closed such that the airflow passes through the first cavity only and not through the second cavity, a second operational mode wherein the first valve means is closed and the second valve means is opened such that the airflow passes through the second cavity only and not through the first cavity, and a third operational mode wherein the first valve means is partly opened and the second valve means is partly opened such that the airflow passes through both the first cavity and the second cavity.

15. An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate.

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