Aerosol-generating article comprising a frame

Abstract

An aerosol-generating article (10) for use with an aerosol-generating device (90) to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article (10) being defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, the aerosol-generating article (10) comprising: a first planar external surface (21); a second planar external surface (22); a cavity (30); one or more aerosol-generating substrates (40); and an air inlet (10) and an air outlet (12), and an airflow passage extending between the air inlet (10) and the air outlet (12) and through the cavity (30), wherein the width of the aerosol-generating article (10) is not the same along the z-direction.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE COMPRISING A FRAME

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article. The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol-generating device for use with the aerosol-generating article. The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article.

[0003] A typical aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate. In use, the aerosolgenerating device is arranged to heat a heating element that is positioned near, or in contact with, the aerosol-generating substrate which causes the aerosol-generating substrate to heat up and release volatile compounds. These volatile compounds are then entrained in air that is drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the volatile compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by a consumer.

[0004] A typical aerosol-generating article may appear similar and have similar dimensions to a conventional cigarette. For example, such an aerosol-generating article may be substantially cylindrical and comprise an aerosol-generating substrate in addition to other components such as mouthpiece filter element and a cooling element, which are arranged in the form of a rod and wrapped in a cigarette paper.

[0005] However, a significant portion of the aerosol-generating substrate in these cylindrical aerosol-generating articles may not be sufficiently heated to form an aerosol during use. This is undesirable since the insufficiently heated portion of the aerosol-generating substrate contributes to the cost of manufacture and transport of the aerosol-generating article but does not contribute to the aerosol delivered to the consumer. Moreover, the components of these cylindrical aerosolgenerating articles normally need to have the same or very similar outer diameters so that they can be brought together, accurately positioned in axial alignment and wrapped in a cigarette paper. This can lead to increased cost and complexity of manufacture.

[0006] It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating article in which a greater portion of the aerosol-generating substrate is sufficiently heated to form an aerosol during use. It is also an objective of the present disclosure to provide an aerosol-generating article that can be manufactured relatively efficiently and cheaply.

[0007] There is provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article may be defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first planar external surface. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a second planar external surface. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a cavity. The aerosol-generating article may comprise one or more aerosol-generating substrates. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an air inlet and an air outlet. The aerosolgenerating article may comprise an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet and through the cavity. The width of the aerosol-generating article may not be the same along the z-direction.

[0008] There is also provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article being defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a first planar external surface; a second planar external surface; a cavity; and one or more aerosol-generating substrates; and an air inlet and an air outlet, and an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet and through the cavity, wherein the width of the aerosol-generating article is not the same along the z-direction.

[0009] There is also provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article being defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a first planar external surface; a second planar external surface; a cavity; and one or more aerosol-generating substrates; and an air inlet and an air outlet, and an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet and through the cavity, wherein the length of the aerosol-generating article is not the same along the z-direction.

[0010] There is also provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article may be defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first planar external surface. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a second planar external surface. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a cavity. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a frame positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The frame may at least partially define the cavity. The aerosol-generating article may comprise one or more aerosolgenerating substrates. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an air inlet and an air outlet. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet and through the cavity. The width of the aerosol-generating article may not be the same along the z-direction.

[0011] There is also provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article being defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a first planar external surface; a second planar external surface; a cavity; a frame positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface, the frame at least partially defining the cavity; and one or more aerosolgenerating substrates; and an air inlet and an air outlet, and an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet and through the cavity, wherein the width of the aerosol-generating article is not the same along the z-direction. There is also provided an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article being defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a first planar external surface; a second planar external surface; a cavity; a frame positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface, the frame at least partially defining the cavity; and one or more aerosolgenerating substrates; and an air inlet and an air outlet, and an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet and through the cavity, wherein the length of the aerosol-generating article is not the same along the z-direction.

[0012] Advantageously, the aerosol-generating article having a shape in which the width is not the same along the z-direction may provide for an aerosol-generating article which is easier to insert into an aerosol-generating device, thereby providing for an improved user experience.

[0013] Advantageously, the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface allow for good contact with an external heater, particularly an external heater, of an aerosolgenerating device, thereby providing optimum heating of the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0014] Advantageously, aerosol-generating articles of the present disclosure may be heated along substantially their entire length and width, thereby allowing the entire aerosol-generating substrate to be sufficiently heated to generate an aerosol.

[0015] Advantageously, aerosol-generating articles of the present disclosure may be manufactured by layering sheet materials which can be achieved through a continuous manufacturing process, thereby resulting in an aerosol-generating article that is relatively easy and cheap to manufacture.

[0016] By “not the same along the z-direction”, it is meant that external length or external width of the aerosol-generating article is not constant along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article.

[0017] The aerosol-generating article may comprise one or more aerosol-generating substrates.

[0018] The aerosol-generating article may have a length extending in an x-direction. The aerosolgenerating article may have a width extending in a y-direction. The aerosol-generating article may have a thickness extending in a z-direction.

[0019] The aerosol-generating article may be a substantially flat aerosol-generating article or a substantially planar aerosol-generating article. In particular, a thickness of the aerosol-generating article may less than 50 percent of both a length and a width of the aerosol-generating article. Advantageously, a smaller thickness may provide a small temperature gradient or difference across the thickness of the aerosol-generating substrate during heating.

[0020] The aerosol-generating article may have a quadrilaterally-faced hexahedron shape. The aerosol-generating article may have a rectangular prism shape. The aerosol-generating article may have a cuboid shape. The aerosol-generating article may have a cylindrical shape. The aerosolgenerating article may have a right-angled cylinder shape. The aerosol-generating article may have a laminated structure, for example the aerosolgenerating article may comprise or be formed from at least two layers. In particular, the aerosolgenerating article may comprise at least two of: a first external layer, a second external layer, a frame, a first frame layer, a second frame layer, a third frame layer, a first aerosol-generating substrate layer, and a second aerosol-generating substrate layer as discussed in more detail below.

[0021] Substantially the entirety of the aerosol-generating article, excluding the one or more aerosol-generating substrates (if present) and (if present) adhesive, may be paper or cardboard.

[0022] The aerosol-generating article may have a cellulose acetate content of less than 5 percent. The aerosol-generating article may have a cellulose acetate content of less than 3 percent. The aerosol-generating article may have a cellulose acetate content of less than 1 percent.

[0023] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a frame. The frame may be positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The frame may at least partially define the cavity.

[0024] Advantageously, the frame may allow the aerosol-generating article to be relatively thin whilst maintaining structural rigidity.

[0025] The frame may be a planar frame.

[0026] The frame may define a frame aperture extending through the thickness of the frame. The frame aperture may define or form the airflow passage of the aerosol-generating article. The frame aperture may define or form the cavity of the aerosol-generating article. For example, the frame may have a hollow cuboid shape or a square hollow tube shape. As a further example, the frame may have a cross-section that is annular in shape, preferably the cross-section in an x / y plane is annular in shape.

[0027] The frame may comprise a frame outer surface. The frame outer surface may extend in a transverse direction, for example between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The frame outer surface may at least partially define or form one or more external surfaces of the aerosol-generating article. For example, the frame outer surface may at least partially define or form one or more external walls of the aerosol-generating article. The frame outer surface may circumscribe or encircle the frame aperture. The frame outer surface may circumscribe or encircle the cavity.

[0028] The frame may comprise a frame inner surface. The frame inner surface may extend in a transverse direction, for example between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The frame inner surface may define or form a frame aperture outer wall. The frame inner surface may define or form a cavity outer wall. The frame inner surface may circumscribe or encircle the frame aperture extending through the thickness of the frame. The frame inner surface may circumscribe or encircle the cavity.

[0029] The frame outer surface may circumscribe or encircle the frame inner surface. The frame inner surface and the frame outer surface may be concentric with one another. The aerosol-generating article may comprise one or more external walls extending between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The one or more external walls may collectively define an entire transverse external area of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may at least partially define each of the one or more external walls. The one or more external walls may circumscribe or encircle the cavity. The frame may define at least 60 percent, at least 70 percent, at least 80 percent, or at least 90 percent of the entire transverse external area of the aerosol-generating article.

[0030] The frame may comprise a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall may circumscribe or encircle at least a portion of the frame aperture extending through the thickness of the frame. The peripheral wall may circumscribe or encircle at least a portion of the cavity. The peripheral wall may circumscribe or encircle the frame aperture extending through the thickness of the frame. The peripheral wall may circumscribe or encircle the cavity.

[0031] The peripheral wall may be defined or formed by the frame outer surface and the frame inner surface. The peripheral wall may at least partially define or form one or more external surfaces or walls of the aerosol-generating article. The peripheral wall may define or form a frame aperture outer wall. The peripheral wall may define or form a cavity outer wall.

[0032] The peripheral wall may have a radial thickness. The radial thickness may be defined as the minimum distance between the frame outer surface and the frame inner surface, such as in the x / y plane.

[0033] The peripheral wall may have a radial thickness greater than or equal to 0.5 millimetres. The peripheral wall may have a radial thickness greater than or equal to 1 .5 millimetres. The peripheral wall may have a radial thickness greater than or equal to 2.5 millimetres.

[0034] The peripheral wall may have a radial thickness less than or equal to 3.5 millimetres. The peripheral wall may have a radial thickness less than or equal to 2.5 millimetres.

[0035] The peripheral wall may have a radial thickness between 0.5 millimetres and 3.5 millimetres. The peripheral wall may have a radial thickness between 0.5 millimetres and 2.5 millimetres.

[0036] Advantageously, the peripheral wall having a radial thickness between 0.5 millimetres and 3.5 millimetres has been found to provide good structural strength for the aerosol-generating article whilst not using excess amounts of material which may increase manufacturing costs, and may limit the amount of heat that is undesirably transferred to the frame rather than the aerosolgenerating substrate.

[0037] The frame may be made from or comprise a biodegradable material. The frame may be made entirely from a biodegradable material.

[0038] The frame may be made from or comprise a cellulosic material. The cellulosic material may comprise a sheet of cellulosic material. The cellulosic material may comprise cellulose fibres. The cellulosic material may be paper, paperboard, or cardboard. The frame may be made from or comprise a plant material, such as tobacco. The frame may be made entirely from a cellulosic material.

[0039] The aerosol-generating article may comprise one or more susceptor materials. The frame may comprise one or more susceptor materials. The one more susceptor materials may be in thermal contact with the aerosol-generating substrate. The one more susceptor materials may be in thermal contact with the cavity. The one or more susceptor materials may be incorporated within the material of the frame. For example, the one or more susceptor material may be incorporated within the peripheral wall of the frame.

[0040] The one or more susceptor materials may be one or more particles, strips, threads, or wires of susceptor material. The one or more susceptor materials may be one or more sheets or layers of susceptor material. The one of more sheets or layers of susceptor material may be in the form of a mesh of susceptor material.

[0041] The susceptor material, in whatever form, may comprise one or more materials selected from the list consisting of: aluminium, iron and iron alloys, nickel and nickel alloys, cobalt alloys, stainless steel alloys, copper alloys, carbon, expanded carbon, and graphite.

[0042] The frame may have a thickness greater than or equal to 50 percent of the thickness of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may have a thickness greater than or equal to 70 percent of the thickness of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may have a thickness greater than or equal to 90 percent of the thickness of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may have a thickness greater than or equal to 95 percent of the thickness of the aerosol-generating article.

[0043] The frame may have a thickness less than or equal to 95 percent of the thickness of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may have a thickness less than or equal to 90 percent of the thickness of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may have a thickness less than or equal to 70 percent of the thickness of the aerosol-generating article.

[0044] The frame may have a thickness between 50 percent of the thickness of the aerosolgenerating article and 95 percent of the thickness of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may have a thickness between 70 percent of the thickness of the aerosol-generating article and 95 percent of the thickness of the aerosol-generating article.

[0045] The frame may have a thickness greater than or equal to 1 millimetre, greater than or equal to 2 millimetres, greater than or equal to 3 millimetres, or greater than or equal to 4 millimetres. The frame may have a thickness less than or equal to 5.5 millimetres, less than or equal to 4.5 millimetres, less than or equal to 3.5 millimetres, less than or equal to 2.5 millimetres, or less than or equal to 1.5 millimetres. The frame may have a thickness between 1 millimetre and 5.5 millimetres. Preferably, the frame may have a thickness between 1.5 millimetres and 5.5 millimetres.

[0046] The frame may have a length that is equal to the length of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may have a length that is at least 90 percent of the length of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may have a length that is at least 95 percent of the length of the aerosolgenerating article.

[0047] The frame may have a width that is equal to the width of the aerosol-generating article. The frame may have a width that is at least 90 percent of the width of the aerosol-generating article.

[0048] The frame may be a unitary component. Alternatively, the frame may comprise two or more layers. That is, the frame may have a laminated structure. Advantageously, the properties of each layer may be individually optimised depending on the relative distance between the layer and aerosol-generating substrate or heater of the aerosol-generating device.

[0049] The frame may comprise a first frame layer and a second frame layer. The first frame layer and the second frame layer may be the only layers of the frame. That is, the frame may comprise no more than two layers or may comprise exactly two layers. The frame aperture may be defined through both the first frame layer and the second frame layer.

[0050] The frame may comprise a first frame layer, a second frame layer and a third frame layer. The second frame layer may be positioned between the first frame layer and the third frame layer. The first frame layer, the second frame layer and the third frame layer may be the only layers of the frame. That is, the frame may comprise no more than three layers or may comprise exactly three layers.

[0051] The one or more aerosol-generating substrates may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate layer. Advantageously, the aerosol-generating substrate layer can be made thin and, therefore, quickly heat up and release volatile compounds to form an aerosol. Advantageously, the aerosol-generating substrate layer can be positioned close to a heater of an aerosol-generating device.

[0052] The aerosol-generating substrate layer may comprise an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material may be any aerosol-generating material described herein. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a sheet of aerosol-generating material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be any sheet of aerosol-generating material described herein. The aerosol-generating substrate layer may be, and may be made entirely of, a sheet of aerosol-generating material.

[0053] The aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the frame and the first planar external surface. The aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the frame and the second planar external surface. The aerosol-generating substrate layer may be in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, the frame.

[0054] The aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the frame and the outer wrapper. The outer wrapper is discussed in more detail below. The aerosol-generating substrate layer may in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, both the frame and the outer wrapper.

[0055] The aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the frame and the first planar external layer. The aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the frame and the second planar external layer. The first planar external layer and the second planar external layer are discussed in more detail below. The aerosol-generating substrate layer may in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, both the frame and the first planar external layer. The aerosolgenerating substrate layer may in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, both the frame and the second planar external layer.

[0056] The aerosol-generating substrate layer may overlie an end of the cavity. The aerosolgenerating substrate layer may define or form a wall of the cavity, such as the first cavity end wall or the second cavity end wall. Advantageously, the aerosol-generating substrate layer may therefore be in, or at least partially define or form, the airflow passage thereby allowing released volatile compounds to quickly form an aerosol.

[0057] The one or more aerosol-generating substrates may comprise a first aerosol-generating substrate layer and a second aerosol-generating substrate layer. Advantageously, a first and a second aerosol-generating substrate layer may allow rapid generation of a satisfactory volume of aerosol compared with using a single aerosol-generating substrate layer.

[0058] The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may comprise an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material may be any aerosol-generating material described herein. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a sheet of aerosol-generating material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be any sheet of aerosol-generating material described herein. The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may be, and may be made entirely of, a sheet of aerosol-generating material.

[0059] The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may comprise an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material may be any aerosol-generating material described herein. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a sheet of aerosol-generating material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be any sheet of aerosol-generating material described herein. The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may be, and may be made entirely of, a sheet of aerosol-generating material.

[0060] The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the frame and the first planar external surface. The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may be in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, the frame.

[0061] The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the frame and the outer wrapper. The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, both the frame and the outer wrapper.

[0062] The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the frame and the first planar external layer. The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, both the frame and the first planar external layer.

[0063] The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the frame and the second planar external surface. The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may be in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, the frame. The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the frame and the outer wrapper. The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, both the frame and the outer wrapper.

[0064] The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the frame and the second planar external layer. The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, both the frame and the second planar external layer.

[0065] The first aerosol-generating substrate layer and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer may overlie opposing ends of the cavity. The first aerosol-generating substrate layer and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer may define or form opposing end walls of the cavity. That is, the frame, the first aerosol-generating substrate layer and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer may collectively define the cavity.

[0066] One or more of the aerosol-generating substrate layer, the first aerosol-generating substrate layer and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a thickness greater than or equal to 100 micrometres, greater than or equal to 200 micrometres, greater than or equal to 300 micrometres, greater than or equal to 400 micrometres, or greater than or equal to 500 micrometres.

[0067] One or more of the aerosol-generating substrate layer, the first aerosol-generating substrate layer and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a thickness less than or equal to 600 micrometres, less than or equal to 500 micrometres, less than or equal to 400 micrometres, less than or equal to 300 micrometres, or less than or equal to 300 micrometres.

[0068] One or more of the aerosol-generating substrate layer, the first aerosol-generating substrate layer and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a thickness between 100 micrometres and 600 micrometres, between 200 micrometres and 500 micrometres, between 200 micrometres and 400 micrometres, or between 200 micrometres and 300 micrometres.

[0069] The aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a length substantially the same as the length of the frame. The aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a length substantially the same as the length of the aerosol-generating article.

[0070] The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a length substantially the same as the length of the frame. The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a length substantially the same as the length of the aerosol-generating article.

[0071] The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a length substantially the same as the length of the frame. The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a length substantially the same as the length of the aerosol-generating article.

[0072] The aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a width substantially the same as the width of the frame. The aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a width substantially the same as the width of the aerosol-generating article. The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a width substantially the same as the width of the frame. The first aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a width substantially the same as the width of the aerosol-generating article.

[0073] The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a width substantially the same as the width of the frame. The second aerosol-generating substrate layer may have a width substantially the same as the width of the aerosol-generating article.

[0074] The first planar external surface may be a planar upper surface and the second planar external surface may be a planar lower surface. The first planar external surface may be positioned parallel to the second planar external surface. The first planar external surface may extend in the x / y plane. The second planar external surface may extend in the x / y plane. The second planar external surface may be spaced from the first planar external surface in the z-direction or transverse direction. The distance between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface in the z-direction or transverse direction may define the thickness of the aerosolgenerating article.

[0075] The aerosol-generating article may comprise an outer wrapper. The outer wrapper may be hydrophobic. The outer wrapper may comprise a hydrophobic material.

[0076] The outer wrapper may define or form the first planar external surface. The outer wrapper may define or form the second planar external surface. The outer wrapper may define or form both the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface.

[0077] The outer wrapper may circumscribe or encircle the frame. The outer wrapper may be in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, the frame. The outer wrapper may overlie opposing ends of the cavity. The outer wrapper may define or form opposing end walls of the cavity, such as the first cavity end wall and the second cavity end wall. That is, the frame and the outer wrapper may collectively define the cavity.

[0078] The outer wrapper may circumscribe or encircle the frame and the aerosol-generating substrate layer. The outer wrapper may be in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, both the frame and the aerosol-generating substrate layer.

[0079] The outer wrapper may circumscribe or encircle the frame, the first aerosol-generating substrate layer and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer. The outer wrapper may be in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, both the first aerosol-generating substrate layer and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer.

[0080] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first planar external layer and a second planar external layer. The first planar external layer may be an upper layer and the second planar external layer may be a lower layer.

[0081] The first planar external layer may define or form the first planar external surface. The first planar external layer may extend in the x / y plane. The second planar external layer may define or form the second planar external surface. The second planar external layer may extend in the x / y plane. The first planar external layer may be in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, the frame. The first planar external layer may overlie an end of the cavity. The first planar external layer may define or form a wall of the cavity, such as the first cavity end wall.

[0082] The second planar external layer may be in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, the frame. The second planar external layer may overlie an end of the cavity. The second planar external layer may define or form a wall of the cavity, such as the second cavity end wall.

[0083] The first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may overlie opposing ends of the cavity. The first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may define or form opposing end walls of the cavity, such as the first cavity end wall and the second cavity end wall. That is, the frame, the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may collectively define the cavity.

[0084] The first planar external layer may be spaced, such as in a transverse direction, from the frame. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate layer or the first aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the first planar external layer and the frame. The first planar external layer may be in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, the aerosolgenerating substrate layer or the first aerosol-generating substrate layer.

[0085] The second planar external layer may be spaced, such as in a transverse direction, from the frame. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate layer or the second aerosol-generating substrate layer may be positioned between the second planar external layer and the frame. The second planar external layer may be in physical contact with, and may be bonded to, the aerosolgenerating substrate layer or the second aerosol-generating substrate layer.

[0086] The first planar external layer may be hydrophobic. The first planar external layer may comprise a hydrophobic material. The second planar external layer may be hydrophobic. The second planar external layer may comprise a hydrophobic material.

[0087] One or more of the outer wrapper, the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may comprise, or be made from, a cellulosic material. The cellulosic material may be paper, cigarette paper, tobacco paper, cardboard, wood, textile, natural fibres or artificial fibres.

[0088] One or more of the outer wrapper, the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may be an aerosol-generating substrate comprising an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material may be any aerosol-generating material described herein. In particular, the aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a sheet of aerosol-generating material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be any sheet of aerosol-generating material described herein. Alternatively, one or more of the outer wrapper, the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may not comprise any aerosol-generating material, particularly in embodiments comprising an aerosol-generating substrate layer, a first aerosolgenerating substrate layer, a second aerosol-generating substrate layer or an aerosol-generating substrate positioned within the cavity. One or more of the outer wrapper, the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may be substantially nicotine-free. One or more of the outer wrapper, the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may have a thickness greater than or equal to 25 micrometres, greater than or equal to 30 micrometres, greater than or equal to 35 micrometres, greater than or equal to 40 micrometres, or greater than or equal to 45 micrometres.

[0089] One or more of the outer wrapper, the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may have a thickness less than or equal to 55 micrometres, less than or equal to 50 micrometres, less than or equal to 45 micrometres, less than or equal to 40 micrometres, or less than or equal to 35 micrometres.

[0090] One or more of the outer wrapper, the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may have a thickness between 25 micrometres and 55 micrometres, between 25 micrometres and 45 micrometres, or between 30 micrometres and 45 micrometres.

[0091] One or more of the outer wrapper, the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may have a length substantially the same as the length of the frame. One or more of the outer wrapper, the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may have a length substantially the same as the length of the aerosol-generating article.

[0092] One or more of the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may have a width substantially the same as the width of the frame. One or more of the first planar external layer and the second planar external layer may have a width substantially the same as the width of the aerosol-generating article.

[0093] The cavity may have a thickness greater than or equal to 0.5 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness greater than or equal to 1.5 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness greater than or equal to 2.5 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness greater than or equal to 3.5 millimetres.

[0094] The cavity may have a thickness less than or equal to 4.5 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness less than or equal to 3.5 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness less than or equal to 2.5 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness less than or equal to 1 .5 millimetres.

[0095] The cavity may have a thickness between 0.5 millimetres and 4.5 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness between 1 millimetre and 4.5 millimetres. Preferably, the cavity may have a thickness between 2.8 millimetres and 3.3 millimetres.

[0096] The cavity may have a length greater than or equal to 14 millimetres. The cavity may have a length equal to a greater than 18 millimetres. The cavity may have a length greater than or equal to 22 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness greater than or equal to 30 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness greater than or equal to 38 millimetres.

[0097] The cavity may have a length less than or equal to 40 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness less than or equal to 34 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness less than or equal to 28 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness less than or equal to 22 millimetres. The cavity may have a thickness less than or equal to 18 millimetres. The cavity may have a length between 14 millimetres and 40 millimetres. The cavity may have a length between 14 millimetres and 34 millimetres. . The cavity may have a length between 24 millimetres and 28 millimetres.

[0098] The cavity may have a width greater than or equal to 4.5 millimetres. The cavity may have a width greater than or equal to 7 millimetres. The cavity may have a width greater than or equal to 11 millimetres.

[0099] The cavity may have a width less than or equal to 13 millimetres. The cavity may have a width less than or equal to 11 millimetres. The cavity may have a width less than or equal to 7 millimetres. The cavity may have a width less than or equal to 5 millimetres.

[0100] The cavity may have a width between 4.5 millimetres and 13 millimetres. The cavity may have a width between 7 millimetres and 10 millimetres. The cavity may have a width between 7.5 millimetres and 8.5 millimetres.

[0101] The cavity may have a length between 14 millimetres and 40 millimetres, a width between 4.5 millimetres and 13 millimetres, and a thickness between 0.5 millimetres and 4.5 millimetres.

[0102] Preferably, the cavity may have a length between 20 millimetres and 30 millimetres, a width between 7 millimetres and 10 millimetres, and a thickness between 2.5 millimetres and 4 millimetres.

[0103] Most preferably, the cavity may have a length of 26 millimetres, a width of 8 millimetres, and a thickness of 3.1 millimetres.

[0104] The cavity may have a volume of greater than or equal to 30 cubic millimetres, greater than or equal to 100 cubic millimetres, greater than or equal to 300 cubic millimetres, greater than or equal to 500 cubic millimetres, greater than or equal to 700 cubic millimetres, greater than or equal to 900 cubic millimetres, greater than or equal to 1000 cubic millimetres, greater than or equal to 2000 cubic millimetres, or greater than or equal to 30 cubic millimetres.

[0105] The cavity may have a volume of less than or equal to 3500 cubic millimetres, less than or equal to 2500 cubic millimetres, less than or equal to 1500 cubic millimetres, less than or equal to 1000 cubic millimetres, less than or equal to 800 cubic millimetres, less than or equal to 600 cubic millimetres, less than or equal to 500 cubic millimetres, less than or equal to 400 cubic millimetres, or less than or equal to 300 cubic millimetres.

[0106] The cavity may have a volume between 30 cubic millimetres and 3500 cubic millimetres. The cavity may have a volume between 30 cubic millimetres and 2500 cubic millimetres. The cavity may have a volume between 100 cubic millimetres and 1500 cubic millimetres. The cavity may have a volume between 100 cubic millimetres and 1000 cubic millimetres.

[0107] The cavity may be substantially empty.

[0108] The one or more aerosol-generating substrates may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate positioned within the cavity. The aerosol-generating substrate positioned within the cavity may fill the cavity. The aerosol-generating substrate positioned within the cavity may comprise an aerosolgenerating material. The aerosol-generating material may be any aerosol-generating material described herein. For example, the aerosol-generating material may be in the form of shredded aerosol-generating material.

[0109] The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a sheet of aerosol-generating material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be any sheet of aerosol-generating material described herein. For example, the sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a sheet of homogenised tobacco material.

[0110] The sheet of aerosol-generating material may extend the entire length of the cavity. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may extend the entire width of the cavity.

[0111] The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a gathered sheet of aerosol-generating material. That is, the sheet of aerosol-generating material may be convoluted, folded, or otherwise compressed or constricted substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction of the aerosolgenerating article.

[0112] The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a crimped sheet of aerosol-generating material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a corrugated sheet of aerosolgenerating material. The crimped sheet of aerosol-generating material or the corrugated sheet of aerosol-generating material may comprise a plurality of parallel corrugations. For example, the crimped sheet of aerosol-generating material may comprise a plurality of substantially parallel peaks and troughs.

[0113] The plurality of parallel corrugations may be defined by a corrugation profile, in which the corrugation profile is sinusoidal, or triangular, or rectangular, or trapezoidal, or toroidal, or parabolic.

[0114] The plurality of parallel corrugations may define, or form, a plurality of channels between the sheet of aerosol-generating material and one or more walls of the cavity. The plurality of channels may be a plurality of longitudinally extending channels. The plurality of channels may be a plurality of laterally extending channels. The plurality of channels may defined, or form, at least a portion of the airflow passage extending between the air inlet and air outlet of the aerosolgenerating article.

[0115] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more organic materials such as tobacco, mint, tea and cloves. The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco such as cast leaf, extruded tobacco, expanded tobacco, aerosol-generating films and gel compositions.

[0116] The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of shredded aerosol-generating material. The shredded aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more of: strips and strands of aerosol-generating material, such as strips and strands of tobacco or homogenised tobacco material. The shredded aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a shredded sheet of homogenised tobacco material. The aerosol-generating material may be cut filler. The aerosol-generating material may be tobacco cut filler. As used herein, the term “cut filler” is used to describe to a blend of shredded plant material, such as tobacco plant material, including, in particular, one or more of leaf lamina, processed stems and ribs, homogenised plant material.

[0117] The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a sheet of aerosol-generating material. As used herein, the term “sheet” describes a laminar element having a width and length substantially greater than the thickness thereof. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a sheet of plant material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a sheet of tobacco material. The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a sheet of homogenised tobacco material, such as a cast leaf sheet.

[0118] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more aerosol-formers. Suitable aerosol-formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, one or more aerosolformers selected from: polyhydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1 , 3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. It may be particularly preferable for the aerosolformer to be or comprise one or both of glycerine and propylene glycol. The aerosol former may consist of glycerine or propylene glycol or of a combination of glycerine and propylene glycol.

[0119] The aerosol-generating material may have an aerosol-former content greater than or equal to 1 , 2, 5, 10, or 15 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-generating material may have an aerosol-former content greater than or equal to 15 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, for example greater than 20 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 25 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 30 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 40 by weight on a dry weight basis, or greater than 50 by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0120] The aerosol-generating material may have an aerosol-former content less than or equal to 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, less than or equal to 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, or less than or equal to 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0121] The aerosol-generating material may have an aerosol-former content between 5 percent and 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, between 5 percent and 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, or between 5 percent and 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0122] The aerosol-generating material may have an aerosol-former content between 10 percent and 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, between 10 percent and 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, or between 10 percent and 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0123] The aerosol-generating material may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-generating material may comprise natural nicotine, or synthetic nicotine, or a combination of natural nicotine and synthetic nicotine.

[0124] The aerosol-generating material may comprise at least 0.5 percent by weight of nicotine, at least 1 percent by weight of nicotine, at least 1.5 percent by weight of nicotine, or at least 2 percent by weight of nicotine. That is, the aerosol-generating material may have a nicotine content of at least 0.5 percent by weight, at least 1 percent by weight, at least 1 .5 percent by weight, or at least 2 percent by weight.

[0125] The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a plurality of beads. The plurality of beads may have an average particle diameter of between 0.1 mm and 4 mm, for example between 0.5 mm and 4 mm.

[0126] The term “bead” refers to a discrete, solid particle formed of the aerosol-generating substrate. A bead may have a rounded, typically spherical, form. Other terms may be used to define the substrate such as, for example, “granule”.

[0127] Providing the aerosol-generating material as a plurality of beads may provide certain advantages. Beads can be easily handled compared to other aerosol-forming substrates such as fine powders or cut filler. The beads flow easily, and so can reliably and consistently fill the cavity of the aerosol-generating article during manufacture. This may allow a consistent and reproducible amount of aerosol-forming substrate to be loaded into each article during manufacture. Beads may also be cleaner to handle than powders and cut fillers, which may cause dust in factories, and may leak from aerosol-generating articles in transit or in use. By selecting beads with appropriate bead sizes and appropriate particle size distributions, air flow through the cavity of the aerosolgenerating article may be controlled more reproducibly than would be the case for, say, a cut filler substrate.

[0128] Where a particle is not perfectly spherical, but a diameter of the particle is referred to, the term “diameter” may refer to a largest dimension of the particle. Alternatively, the term “diameter” may refer to the diameter of a perfectly spherical particle having the same volume as the not perfectly spherical particle.

[0129] The term “average particle diameter”, as used herein, may refer to a number average particle diameter. Other methods of determining average particle diameter are known. Thus, the average particle diameter may be, for example, a volume average particle diameter.

[0130] The aerosol-generating material may be in form of a wrapped body of aerosol-generating material, the wrapped body comprising a wrapper at least partially enclosing aerosol-generating material.

[0131] The wrapped body of aerosol-generating material may occupy between 15% and 100% of the interior volume of the cavity. The wrapped body of aerosol-generating material may occupy between 30% and 100% of the interior volume of the cavity. The wrapped body of aerosolgenerating material may occupy between 50% and 100% of the interior volume of the cavity. The wrapped body of aerosol-generating material may occupy between 50% and 80% of the interior volume of the cavity. The wrapped body of aerosol-generating material may occupy between 50% and 70% of the interior volume of the cavity. The air inlet may be defined by a front wall of the aerosol-generating article. The air inlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the frame. The air inlet may be defined by the peripheral wall of the frame. The air inlet may extend through the peripheral wall of the frame. The air outlet may be defined by a back wall of the aerosol-generating article. The air outlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the frame. The air outlet may be defined by the peripheral wall of the frame. The outlet may extend though the peripheral wall of the frame.

[0132] The air inlet may have a round cross-section, a circular cross-section, an oval crosssection, a square cross-section, or a rectangular cross-section. The air outlet may have a round cross-section, a circular cross-section, an oval cross-section, a square cross-section, or a rectangular cross-section.

[0133] The air inlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the first planar external surface. The air inlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the outer wrapper. The air inlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the outer wrapper and the aerosol-generating substrate layer. The air inlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the outer wrapper and the first aerosolgenerating substrate layer. The air inlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the first planar external layer and the aerosol-generating substrate layer. The air inlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the first planar external layer and the first aerosol-generating substrate layer.

[0134] The air inlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the second planar external surface. The air inlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the outer wrapper and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer. The air inlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the second planar external layer and the aerosol-generating substrate layer. The air inlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the second planar external layer and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer.

[0135] The air outlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the first planar external surface. The air outlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the outer wrapper. The air outlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the outer wrapper and the aerosol-generating substrate layer. The air outlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the outer wrapper and the first aerosol-generating substrate layer. The air outlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the first planar external layer and the aerosol-generating substrate layer. The air outlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the first planar external layer and the first aerosol-generating substrate layer.

[0136] The air outlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the second planar external surface. The air outlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the outer wrapper and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer. The air outlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the second planar external layer and the aerosol-generating substrate layer. The air outlet may be defined by, and may extend through, the second planar external layer and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer. One or both of the air inlet and the air outlet may have an equivalent diameter greater than or equal to 0.1 millimetres, greater than or equal to 0.4 millimetres, greater than or equal to 0.7 millimetres, or greater than or equal to 1.0 millimetres.

[0137] One or both of the air inlet and the air outlet may have an equivalent diameter less than or equal to 3 millimetres, less than or equal to 2.7 millimetres, less than or equal to 2.4 millimetres, less than or equal to 2.1 millimetres. The air inlet may have an equivalent diameter less than or equal to 2.7 millimetres, less than or equal to 1.8 millimetres, or less than or equal to 1.5 millimetres.

[0138] One or both of the air inlet and the air outlet may have an equivalent diameter between 0.1 millimetres and 3 millimetres, between 0.1 millimetres and 2.4 millimetres, between 0.4 millimetres and 2.1 millimetres, between 0.4 millimetres and 1.8 millimetres, between 0.7 millimetres and 1.5 millimetres, or between 1.0 millimetres and 1.5 millimetres.

[0139] The air inlet may have a width less than a width of the cavity. The air outlet may have a width less than a width of the cavity. The air inlet may have a thickness less than a thickness of the cavity. The air outlet may have a thickness less than a thickness of the cavity.

[0140] One or both of the air inlet and the air outlet may a width of between 0.3 millimetres and 3 millimetres or between 0.5 millimetres and 2 millimetres.

[0141] One or both of the air inlet and the air outlet may have a thickness of between 0.3 millimetres and 3 millimetres or between 0.5 millimetres and 2 millimetres.

[0142] Preferably, the air inlet may have a width of between 0.3 millimetres and 3 millimetres, and a thickness of between 0.3 millimetres and 3 millimetres.

[0143] Preferably, the air outlet may have a width of between 0.3 millimetres and 3 millimetres, and a thickness of between 0.3 millimetres and 3 millimetres.

[0144] Advantageously, an aerosol-generating article having an air outlet or air inlet with a width of between 0.3 millimetres and 3 millimetres and a thickness of between 0.3 millimetres and 3 millimetres may provide for a relatively large inlet or outlet opening while allowing for improved retention of the aerosol-generating substrate within the aerosol-generating article. Improved retention of the aerosol-generating substrate within the aerosol-generating article may reduce the risk of aerosol-generating substrate falling out of the aerosol-generating article.

[0145] A ratio of the width of the air inlet to the thickness of the air inlet may be between 0.33 and 3. A ratio of the width of the air inlet to the thickness of the air inlet may be between 0.5 and 1 .5. A ratio of the width of the air inlet to the thickness of the air inlet may be between 0.75 and 1 .25.

[0146] A ratio of the width of the air outlet to the thickness of the air outlet may be between 0.33 and 3. A ratio of the width of the air outlet to the thickness of the air outlet may be between 0.5 and 1 .5. A ratio of the width of the air outlet to the thickness of the air outlet may be between 0.75 and 1.25.

[0147] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a plurality of air inlets. One or each of the air inlets may have one or more of the features of the air inlet described herein. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a plurality of air outlets. One or each of the air outlets may have one or more of the features of the air outlet described herein.

[0148] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element positioned downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element positioned downstream of the cavity. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element at least partially positioned within the air outlet. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element positioned within, and may be positioned at a downstream end of, the cavity.

[0149] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element positioned upstream of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element positioned upstream of the cavity. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element at least partially positioned within the air inlet. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter element positioned within, and may be positioned at an upstream end of, the cavity.

[0150] The filter element may comprise one or more segments of a fibrous filtration material. Suitable fibrous filtration materials would be known to the skilled person. The filter element may comprise a cellulose acetate.

[0151] A ratio between the length and the thickness of the aerosol-generating article, and between the width and the thickness of the aerosol-generating article may be greater than 2:1 , greater than 5:1 , greater than 10:1 , greater than 12:1 , or greater than 15:1.

[0152] A ratio between the length and the thickness of the aerosol-generating article, and between the width and the thickness of the aerosol-generating article may be less than 15:1 , less than 12:1 , less than 10:1 , less than 5:1 , or less than 2.5:1

[0153] A ratio between the length and the thickness of the aerosol-generating article, and between the width and the thickness of the aerosol-generating article may be between 2:1 and 15:1 , between 2:1 and 12:1 , between 2:1 and 10:1 , or between 5:1 and 10:1.

[0154] A ratio between the length and the width of the aerosol-generating article may be greater than 1 :1 , greater than 2:1 , greater than 3:1 , greater than 4:1 , or greater than 5:1.

[0155] A ratio between the length and the width of the aerosol-generating article may be less than 10:1 , less than 8:1 , less than 5:1 , less than 4:1 , less than 3:1 , or less than 2:1.

[0156] A ratio between the length and the width of the aerosol-generating article may be between 1 :1 and 10:1 , between 1 :1 and 5:1 , between 1 :1 and 4:1 , between 1 :1 and 3:1 , between 2:1 and 4:1 , or between 2:1 and 3:1.

[0157] The aerosol-generating article may have a length greater than or equal to 15 millimetres, greater than or equal to 20 millimetres, greater than or equal to 25 millimetres, greater than or equal to 30 millimetres, greater than or equal to 35 millimetres, or greater than or equal to 40 millimetres.

[0158] The aerosol-generating article may have a length less than or equal to 45 millimetres, less than or equal to 40 millimetres, less than or equal to 35 millimetres, or less than or equal to 30 millimetres. The aerosol-generating article may have a length between 15 millimetres and 45 millimetres, between 20 millimetres and 40 millimetres, between 20 millimetres and 35 millimetres, or between 25 millimetres and 30 millimetres.

[0159] The aerosol-generating article may have a width equal to greater than 3 millimetres, greater than 5 millimetres, greater than 7.5 millimetres, greater than 9 millimetres, greater than 11 millimetres, or greater than 13 millimetres.

[0160] The aerosol-generating article may have a width less than or equal to 17 millimetres, less than or equal to 15 millimetres, less than or equal to 12.5 millimetres, less than or equal to 11 millimetres, or less than or equal to 9 millimetres.

[0161] The aerosol-generating article may have a width between 3 millimetres and 17 millimetres, between 5 millimetres and 15 millimetres, between 7.5 millimetres and 12.5 millimetres, or between 9 millimetres and 11 millimetres.

[0162] The aerosol-generating article may have a thickness equal to greater than 1 millimetre, greater than or equal to 1 .5 millimetres, greater than or equal to 2 millimetres, greater than or equal to 2.5 millimetres, greater than or equal to 3 millimetres, greater than or equal to 3.5 millimetres, greater than or equal to 4 millimetres, or greater than or equal to 4.5 millimetres.

[0163] The aerosol-generating article may have a thickness less than or equal to 5.5 millimetres, less than or equal to 5 millimetres, less than or equal to 4.5 millimetres, less than or equal to 4 millimetres, less than or equal to 3.5 millimetres, less than or equal to 3 millimetres, less than or equal to 2.5 millimetres, or less than or equal to 2 millimetres.

[0164] The aerosol-generating article may have a thickness between 1 millimetres and 5 millimetres, between 1.5 millimetres and 5 millimetres, between 2 millimetres and 4.5 millimetres, between 2.5 millimetres and 4 millimetres, or between 3 millimetres and 3.5 millimetres.

[0165] The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface.

[0166] The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface.

[0167] The length of the aerosol-generating article may not be the same along the z-direction.

[0168] The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface.

[0169] The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface.

[0170] The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 1 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 2 percent. The width of the aerosolgenerating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 3 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 4 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 5 percent.

[0171] The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 6 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 7 percent. The width of the aerosolgenerating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 8 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 9 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 10 percent.

[0172] The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 9 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 8 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 7 percent. The width of the aerosolgenerating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 6 percent.

[0173] The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 5 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 4 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 3 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 2 percent. The width of the aerosolgenerating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 1 percent.

[0174] The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0175] The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 9 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 2 percent.

[0176] The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 1 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 2 percent. The width of the aerosolgenerating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 3 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 4 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 5 percent.

[0177] The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 6 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 7 percent. The width of the aerosolgenerating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 8 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 9 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 10 percent.

[0178] The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 9 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 8 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 7 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 6 percent.

[0179] The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 5 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 4 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 3 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 2 percent. The width of the aerosolgenerating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 1 percent.

[0180] The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0181] The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 9 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The width of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 2 percent.

[0182] The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 1 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 2 percent. The length of the aerosolgenerating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 3 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 4 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 5 percent.

[0183] The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 6 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 7 percent. The length of the aerosolgenerating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 8 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 9 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 10 percent.

[0184] The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 9 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 8 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 7 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 6 percent.

[0185] The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 5 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 4 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 3 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 2 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 1 percent.

[0186] The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0187] The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 9 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 2 percent.

[0188] The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 1 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 2 percent. The length of the aerosolgenerating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 3 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 4 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 5 percent.

[0189] The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 6 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 7 percent. The length of the aerosolgenerating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 8 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 9 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by at least 10 percent.

[0190] The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 9 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 8 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 7 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 6 percent.

[0191] The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 5 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 4 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 3 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 2 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by less than or equal to 1 percent.

[0192] The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0193] The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 9 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The length of the aerosol-generating article may decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface by between 1 percent and 2 percent.

[0194] The first planar external surface may have an area that is different to an area of the second planar external surface. The first planar external surface may have an area that is less than the area of the second planar external surface. The first planar external surface may have an area that is greater than the area of the second planar external surface.

[0195] The first planar external layer may have an area that is different to an area of the second planar external layer. The first planar external layer may have an area that is less than the area of the second planar external layer. The first planar external layer may have an area that is greater than the area of the second planar external layer. The frame may be defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction.

[0196] The width of the frame may not be the same along the z-direction. The width of the frame may increase along the z-direction. The width of the frame may decrease along the z-direction.

[0197] The length of the frame may not be the same along the z-direction. The length of the frame may increase along the z-direction. The length of the frame may decrease along the z-direction.

[0198] The frame may comprise a frame upper surface. The frame may comprise frame lower surface. The frame lower surface may oppose the frame upper surface. The frame upper surface and the frame lower surface may oppose one another.

[0199] The frame upper surface may have an area that is different to an area of the frame lower surface. The frame upper surface may have an area that is less than the area of the frame lower surface. The frame upper surface may have an area that is greater than the area of the frame lower surface.

[0200] The width of the frame may increase along the z-direction between the frame upper surface and the frame lower surface. The width of the frame may decrease along the z-direction between the frame upper surface and the frame lower surface

[0201] The length of the frame may increase along the z-direction between the frame upper surface and the frame lower surface. The length of the frame may decrease along the z-direction between the frame upper surface and the frame lower surface.

[0202] The frame upper surface may be planar. The frame lower surface may be planar.

[0203] The aerosol-generating article may have side surfaces. The side surfaces may slope or incline in the z-direction. The side surfaces may slope or incline in the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planer external surface. The aerosol-generating article may have sloping or inclined side surfaces.

[0204] The aerosol-generating article may have end surfaces. The end surfaces may slope or incline in the z-direction. The end surfaces may slope or incline in the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planer external surface. The aerosol-generating article may have sloping or inclined end surfaces.

[0205] The frame may have side surfaces. The frame side surfaces may slope or incline in the z- direction. The frame side surfaces may slope or incline in the z-direction from adjacent the first planar external surface to adjacent the second planer external surface. The frame may have sloping or inclined side surfaces.

[0206] The frame may have end surfaces. The frame side surfaces may slope or incline in the z- direction. The frame end surfaces may slope or incline in the z-direction from adjacent the first planar external surface to adjacent the second planer external surface. The frame may have sloping or inclined end surfaces.

[0207] The frame may comprise a plurality of frame layers. The frame may comprise a first frame layer and a second frame layer. The frame may comprise a first frame layer, a second frame layer and a third frame layer.

[0208] Each of the frame layers may be defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction.

[0209] The width of at least one of the frame layers may not be the same along the z-direction. The width of each frame layer may not be the same along the z-direction.

[0210] The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction.

[0211] The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 1 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 2 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 3 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 4 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z- direction by at least 5 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 6 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 7 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 8 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 9 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 10 percent.

[0212] The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 9 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 8 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 7 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 6 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 5 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 4 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 3 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 2 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 1 percent.

[0213] The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z- direction by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0214] The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between

[0215] 1 percent and 9 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z- direction by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 2 percent.

[0216] The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction.

[0217] The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 1 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 2 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 3 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 4 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 5 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 6 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 7 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 8 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 9 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 10 percent.

[0218] The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 9 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z- direction by less than or equal to 8 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 7 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 6 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 5 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 4 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 3 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 2 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 1 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0219] The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 9 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 2 percent.

[0220] The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction.

[0221] The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 1 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 2 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 3 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z- direction by at least 4 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 5 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 6 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 7 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 8 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 9 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 10 percent.

[0222] The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 9 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 8 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 7 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 6 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 5 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 4 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 3 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 2 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 1 percent.

[0223] The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0224] The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 9 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 2 percent.

[0225] The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction.

[0226] The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 1 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 2 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 3 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 4 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 5 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 6 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 7 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 8 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 9 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 10 percent.

[0227] The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 9 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z- direction by less than or equal to 8 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 7 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 6 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 5 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 4 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 3 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 2 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 1 percent.

[0228] The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0229] The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 9 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 2 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may not be the same along the z-direction. The length of each of the frame layers may not be the same along the z-direction.

[0230] The length of at least one frame layer may increase along the z-direction.

[0231] The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 1 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 2 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 3 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z- direction by at least 4 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 5 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 6 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 7 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 8 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 9 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 10 percent.

[0232] The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 9 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 8 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 7 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 6 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 5 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 4 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 3 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 2 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 1 percent.

[0233] The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0234] The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 9 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 2 percent.

[0235] The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction.

[0236] The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 1 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 2 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 3 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 4 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 5 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 6 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 7 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 8 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 9 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by at least 10 percent.

[0237] The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 9 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z- direction by less than or equal to 8 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 7 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 6 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 5 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 4 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 3 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 2 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by less than or equal to 1 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0238] The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 9 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 2 percent.

[0239] The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction.

[0240] The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 1 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 2 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z- direction by at least 3 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 4 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 5 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 6 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 7 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 8 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 9 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 10 percent.

[0241] The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 9 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 8 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 7 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 6 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 5 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 4 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 3 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 2 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 1 percent.

[0242] The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0243] The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 9 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 2 percent.

[0244] The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction.

[0245] The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 1 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 2 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 3 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 4 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 5 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 6 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 7 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 8 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 9 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by at least 10 percent.

[0246] The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 9 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z- direction by less than or equal to 8 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 7 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 6 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 5 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 4 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 3 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 2 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by less than or equal to 1 percent.

[0247] The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 2 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 3 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 4 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 5 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 6 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 7 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 8 percent and 10 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 9 percent and 10 percent.

[0248] The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 9 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 8 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 7 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 6 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 5 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 4 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 3 percent. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction by between 1 percent and 2 percent. Each of the frame layers may comprises a frame upper surface. Each of the frame layers may comprise a frame lower surface. Each of the frame layers may comprise a frame upper surface and an opposing frame lower surface.

[0249] The frame upper surface of at least one frame layer may have an area that is different to an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0250] The frame upper surface of each frame layer may have an area that is different to an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0251] The frame upper surface of at least one frame layer may have an area that is less than an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer. The frame upper surface of each frame layer may have an area that is less than an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0252] The frame upper surface of at least one frame layer may have an area that is greater than an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer. The frame upper surface of each frame layer may have an area that is greater than an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0253] The width of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer. The width of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0254] The width of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer. The width of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0255] The length of at least one of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer. The length of each of the frame layers may increase along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0256] The length of at least one of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer. The length of each of the frame layers may decrease along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0257] The frame upper surface of at least one frame layer may be planar. The frame upper surface of each frame layer may be planar.

[0258] The frame lower surface of at least one frame layer may be planar. The frame lower surface of each frame layer may be planar.

[0259] The width of the first frame layer may be different to the width of the second frame layer. The width of the first frame layer may be less than the width of the second frame layer. The width of the first frame layer may be greater than the width of the second frame layer. The width of the at least one frame layer may be constant along the z-direction. The width of the first frame layer may be constant along the z-direction. The width of the second frame layer may be constant along the z-direction.

[0260] The frame may comprise a plurality of frame layers.

[0261] The frame may comprise a first frame layer, a second frame layer and a third frame layer. The second frame layer may be located between the first frame layer and the third frame layer.

[0262] The width of one of the frame layers may be the same as the width of another one of the frame layers. The width of the first frame layer may be the same as the width of the third frame layer.

[0263] The width of one of the frame layers may be different to the width of another one of the frame layers.

[0264] The width of the second frame layer may be less than the width of the first frame layer. The width of the second frame layer may be less than the width of the third frame layer.

[0265] The width of the second frame layer may be greater than the width of the first frame layer. The width of the second frame layer may be greater than the width of the third frame layer.

[0266] The width of the first frame layer may be constant along the z-direction. The width of the second frame layer may be constant along the z-direction. The width of the third frame layer may be constant along the z-direction.

[0267] Advantageously, providing an arrangement in which one of the frame layers has a width that is different to at least one other frame layer may allow for the aerosol-generating article to selfalign with a corresponding cavity of an aerosol-generating device. An aerosol-generating article which self-aligns with the cavity of an aerosol-generating device may provide for improved heat transfer from the aerosol-generating device to the aerosol-generating article, which may improve aerosol generation.

[0268] The frame may comprise a first frame layer and a second frame layer.

[0269] The width of the first frame layer may increase along the z-direction and the width of the second frame layer may decrease along the z-direction.

[0270] The width of the first frame layer may decrease along the z-direction and the width of the second frame layer may increase along the z-direction.

[0271] The first frame layer and the second frame layer may each comprise a frame upper surface and an opposing frame lower surface.

[0272] The frame may comprise a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the width of the first frame layer increases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the first frame layer and the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the width of the second frame layer decreases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the second frame layer and the frame lower surface of the second frame layer.

[0273] The frame may comprises a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the width of the first frame layer decreases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the first frame layer and the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the width of the second frame layer increases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the second frame layer and the frame lower surface of the second frame layer.

[0274] Advantageously, an aerosol-generating having a frame with a symmetrical shape may provide for the aerosol-generating article being inserted into the device in multiple orientations, thereby improving the user experience.

[0275] The frame may comprise a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the length of the first frame layer increases along the z-direction, and wherein the length of the second frame layer decreases along the z-direction.

[0276] The frame may comprise a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the length of the first frame layer decreases along the z-direction, and wherein the length of the second frame layer increases along the z-direction.

[0277] The first frame layer and the second frame layer may each comprise a frame upper surface and an opposing frame lower surface.

[0278] The frame may comprise a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the length of the first frame layer increases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the first frame layer and the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the length of the second frame layer decreases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the second frame layer and the frame lower surface of the second frame layer.

[0279] The frame may comprise a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the length of the first frame layer decreases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the first frame layer and the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the length of the second frame layer increases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the second frame layer and the frame lower surface of the second frame layer

[0280] The frame may comprise a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the first frame layer and the second frame layer each comprise a frame upper surface and an opposing frame lower surface.

[0281] The area of the upper surface of the first frame layer may be less than the area of the frame lower surface of the first frame layer. The area of the frame upper surface of the second frame layer may be greater than the frame lower surface of the second frame layer

[0282] The area of the upper surface of the first frame layer may be less than the area of the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the area of the frame upper surface of the second frame layer may be greater than the frame lower surface of the second frame layer.

[0283] The area of the upper surface of the first frame layer may be greater than the area of the frame lower surface of the first frame layer. The area of the frame upper surface of the second frame layer may be less than the frame lower surface of the second frame layer. The area of the upper surface of the first frame layer may be greater than the area of the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the area of the frame upper surface of the second frame layer may be less than the frame lower surface of the second frame layer.

[0284] One of the frame layers may be in physical contact with another one of the frame layers. Each frame layer may be in physical contact with at least one of the other frame layers.

[0285] The first frame layer may be in physical contact with the second frame layer. The frame lower surface of the first frame layer may be in physical contact with the frame upper surface of the second frame layer.

[0286] The second frame layer may be in physical contact with the third frame layer. The frame lower surface of the second frame layer may be in physical contact with the frame upper surface of the third frame layer.

[0287] One of the frame layers may be bonded or attached to another one of the frame layers. Each frame layer may be bonded or attached to at least one of the other frame layers.

[0288] The first frame layer may be bonded or attached to the second frame layer. The frame lower surface of the first frame layer may be bonded or attached to the frame upper surface of the second frame layer.

[0289] The second frame layer may be bonded or attached to the third frame layer. The frame lower surface of the second frame layer may be bonded or attached to the frame upper surface of the third frame layer.

[0290] A frame layer may be bonded to another frame layer with an adhesive.

[0291] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating device for receiving an aerosol-generating article as disclosed herein. The aerosol-generating device comprises a cavity dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device comprises a heater or heating means, a power source for supplying power to the heater or heating means, and a controller to control a supply of power to the heater or heating means. The aerosol-generating device is configured to heat at least one of the one or more aerosol-generating substrates to form an aerosol, for example an inhalable aerosol. The aerosol-generating device may be configured to heat each of the one or more aerosol-generating substrates to form an aerosol, for example an inhalable aerosol.

[0292] According to the present disclosure, an aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosolgenerating device as disclosed herein and an aerosol-generating article as disclosed herein. The system may comprise a plurality of such articles for use with the aerosol-generating device.

[0293] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” refers to an article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate. The article may be heated in use to produce and deliver an inhalable aerosol to a consumer.

[0294] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating substrate” refers to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating, for example compounds which, in use, cool and condense to generate an aerosol. As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” refers to a device that, in use, interacts with, for example heats, an aerosol-generating substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.

[0295] As used herein, the term “planar” refers to a feature generally formed in a single Euclidean plane and not wrapped around or otherwise conformed to fit a curved or other non-planar shape. A planar surface may extend in two dimensions in a single Euclidean plane. A planar object may extend in two dimensions in a single Euclidean plane substantially more than in a third dimension perpendicular to the plane. More specifically, a planar object may extend in a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension at least two, five or ten times further than the object extends in a third dimension perpendicular to the first and second dimensions.

[0296] As used herein, the term “transverse” refers to a direction extending between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface. The transverse direction may also be referred to as the “z-direction”.

[0297] As used herein, the term “longitudinal” refers to a direction that is perpendicular to the transverse direction. For example, a direction between a front wall and a back wall of the aerosolgenerating article. The longitudinal direction may also be referred to as the “x-direction”.

[0298] As used herein, the term “lateral” refers to a direction that is perpendicular to the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction. For example, a direction from a first side wall to a second side wall of the aerosol-generating article. The lateral direction may also be referred to as the “y- direction”.

[0299] As used herein, the term “thickness” refers to a maximum dimension of the aerosolgenerating article or a component of the aerosol-generating article in the transverse direction.

[0300] As used herein, the term “length” refers to a maximum dimension of the aerosol-generating article or a component of the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction.

[0301] As used herein, the term “width” refers to a maximum dimension of the aerosol-generating article or a component of the aerosol-generating article in the lateral direction.

[0302] As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating article in relation to the direction in which the air or aerosol is transported through the aerosol-generating article during use.

[0303] As used herein, the term “bulk density” may refer to the total weight of the aerosol-generating substrate divided by the bulk volume of the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0304] As used herein, the term “aerosol former” may refer to any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of an aerosol. The aerosol may be a dense and stable aerosol. The aerosol may be substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating article.

[0305] As used herein, the term “aerosol former content” may refer to aerosol former content in percent on a dry weight basis, unless otherwise specified. As used herein, a "susceptor" refers to a conductive element that heats up when subjected to a changing magnetic field. This may be the result of eddy currents induced in the susceptor element and / or hysteresis losses.

[0306] As used herein, the term “hydrophobic” refers to a surface exhibiting water repelling properties. One useful way to determine this is to measure the water contact angle. The “water contact angle” is the angle, conventionally measured through the liquid, where a liquid / vapour interface meets a solid surface. It quantifies the wettability of a solid surface by a liquid via the Young equation.

[0307] As used herein, the term “equivalent diameter” of an opening or an aperture is used herein to denote the diameter of a circular opening or aperture having the same cross-sectional area as the opening or aperture.

[0308] The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0309] Ex1 . An aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article being defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a first planar external surface; a second planar external surface; a cavity; one or more aerosol-generating substrates; and an air inlet and an air outlet, and an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet and through the cavity.

[0310] Ex2. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex1 , wherein the width of the aerosolgenerating article is not the same along the z-direction.

[0311] Ex3. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex2, wherein the width of the aerosol-generating article increases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface.

[0312] Ex4. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex2, wherein the width of the aerosol-generating article decreases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface. Ex5. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex4, wherein the length of the aerosol-generating article is not the same along the z-direction.

[0313] Ex6. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex5, wherein the length of the aerosol-generating article increases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface.

[0314] Ex7. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex5, wherein the length of the aerosol-generating article decreases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface.

[0315] Ex8. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex7, wherein the first planar external surface has an area that is different to an area of the second planar external surface.

[0316] Ex9. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex8, wherein the first planar external surface has an area that is less than the area of the second planar external surface.

[0317] Ex10. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex9, wherein the first planar external surface has an area that is greater than the area of the second planar external surface.

[0318] Ex11. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex10, comprising a frame positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface, the frame at least partially defining the cavity.

[0319] Ex12. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex11 , wherein the frame is defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, wherein the width of the frame is not the same along the z-direction.

[0320] Ex13. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex12, wherein the width of the frame increases along the z-direction.

[0321] Ex14. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex12, wherein the width of the frame decreases along the z-direction.

[0322] Ex15. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex14, wherein the length of the frame is not the same along the z-direction. Ex16. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex15, wherein the length of the frame increases along the z-direction.

[0323] Ex17. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex15, wherein the length of the frame decreases along the z-direction.

[0324] Ex18. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex17, wherein the frame comprises a frame upper surface and an opposing frame lower surface, and wherein the frame upper surface has an area that is different to an area of the frame lower surface.

[0325] Ex19. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex18, wherein the frame upper surface has an area that is less than the area of the frame lower surface.

[0326] Ex20. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex18, wherein the frame upper surface has an area that is greater than the area of the frame lower surface

[0327] Ex21. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex20, wherein the width of the frame increases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface and the frame lower surface.

[0328] Ex22. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex20, wherein the width of the frame decreases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface and the frame lower surface.

[0329] Ex23. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex22, wherein the length of the frame increases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface and the frame lower surface.

[0330] Ex24. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex22, wherein the length of the frame decreases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface and the frame lower surface.

[0331] Ex25. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex24, wherein the frame upper surface is planar.

[0332] Ex26. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex25, wherein the frame lower surface is planar. Ex27. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex25, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frame layers.

[0333] Ex28. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex27, wherein the frame comprises a first frame layer and a second frame layer.

[0334] Ex29. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex28, wherein the frame comprises a first frame layer, a second frame layer and a third frame layer.

[0335] Ex30. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex29, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frame layers, and wherein each of the frame layers is defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, wherein the width of at least one of the frame layers is not the same along the z- direction.

[0336] Ex31. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex30, wherein the width of each frame layer is not the same along the z-direction.

[0337] Ex32. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex31 , wherein the width of at least one of the frame layers increases along the z-direction.

[0338] Ex33. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex32, wherein the width of each of the frame layers increases along the z-direction.

[0339] Ex34. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex31 to Ex33, wherein the width of at least one of the frame layers decreases along the z-direction.

[0340] Ex35. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex34, wherein the width of each of the frame layers decreases along the z-direction.

[0341] Ex36. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex35, wherein the length of at least one of the frame layers is not the same along the z-direction.

[0342] Ex37. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex36, wherein the length of each of the frame layers is not the same along the z-direction. Ex38. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex36 to Ex37, wherein the length of at least one frame layer increases along the z-direction.

[0343] Ex39. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex38, wherein the length of each of the frame layers increases along the z-direction

[0344] Ex40. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex36 to Ex39, wherein the length of at least one of the frame layers decreases along the z-direction

[0345] Ex41 . An aerosol-generating article according to Ex40, wherein the length of each of the frame layers decreases along the z-direction

[0346] Ex42. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex31 , wherein each of the frame layers comprises a frame upper surface and an opposing frame lower surface, and wherein the frame upper surface of at least one frame layer has an area that is different to an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0347] Ex43. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex42, wherein each of the frame layers comprises a frame upper surface and an opposing frame lower surface, and wherein the frame upper surface of each frame layer has an area that is different to an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0348] Ex44. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex43, wherein the frame upper surface of at least one frame layer has an area that is less than an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0349] Ex45. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex44, wherein the frame upper surface of each frame layer has an area that is less than an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0350] Ex46. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex43, wherein the frame upper surface of at least one frame layer has an area that is greater than an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0351] Ex47. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex43, wherein the frame upper surface of each frame layer has an area that is greater than an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer. Ex48. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex47, wherein the width of at least one of the frame layers increases along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0352] Ex49. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex48, wherein the width of each of the frame layers increases along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0353] Ex50. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex49, wherein the width of at least one of the frame layers decreases along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0354] Ex51. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex50, wherein the width of each of the frame layers decreases along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0355] Ex52. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex51 , wherein the length of at least one of the frame layers increases along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0356] Ex53. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex52, wherein the length of each of the frame layers increases along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer

[0357] Ex54. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex53, wherein the length of at least one of the frame layers decreases along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0358] Ex55. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex54, wherein the length of each of the frame layers decreases along the z-direction from the frame upper surface of the frame layer to the frame lower surface of the frame layer.

[0359] Ex56. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex55, wherein the frame comprises a first frame layer and a second frame layer.

[0360] Ex57. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex56, wherein the width ofthe first frame layer is different to the width of the second frame layer. Ex58. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex57, wherein the width ofthe first frame layer is less than the width of the second frame layer.

[0361] Ex59. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex57, wherein the width ofthe first frame layer is greater than the width of the second frame layer.

[0362] Ex60. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex56 or Ex57, wherein the width of the first frame layer is constant along the z-direction.

[0363] Ex61. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex56 or Ex57, wherein the width of the second frame layer is constant along the z-direction.

[0364] Ex62. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex61 , wherein the frame comprises a first frame layer, a second frame layer and a third frame layer, and wherein the second frame layer is located between the first frame layer and the third frame layer.

[0365] Ex63. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex62, wherein the width ofthe first frame layer is the same as the width of the third frame layer.

[0366] Ex64. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex62 or Ex63, wherein the width of the second frame layer is less than the width of the first frame layer.

[0367] Ex65. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex62 or Ex63, wherein the width of the second frame layer is greater than the width of the first frame layer

[0368] Ex66. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex62 to Ex65, wherein the width of the second frame layer is less than the width of the third frame layer.

[0369] Ex67. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex62 to Ex65, wherein the width of the second frame layer is greater than the width of the third frame layer.

[0370] Ex68. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex62 to Ex67, wherein the width of the first frame layer is constant along the z-direction.

[0371] Ex69. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex62 to Ex68, wherein the width of the second frame layer is constant along the z-direction. Ex70. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex62 to Ex69, wherein the width of the third frame layer is constant along the z-direction.

[0372] Ex71. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex70, wherein the frame comprises a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the width of the first frame layer increases along the z-direction, and wherein the width of the second frame layer decreases along the z-direction.

[0373] Ex72. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex27 to Ex70, wherein the frame comprises a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the width of the first frame layer decreases along the z-direction, and wherein the width of the second frame layer increases along the z-direction.

[0374] Ex73. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex71 or Ex72, wherein the first frame layer and the second frame layer each comprise a frame upper surface and an opposing frame lower surface.

[0375] Ex74. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex73, wherein the width ofthe first frame layer increases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the first frame layer and the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the width of the second frame layer decreases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the second frame layer and the frame lower surface of the second frame layer.

[0376] Ex75. An aerosol-generating article according to Ex73, wherein the width ofthe first frame layer decreases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the first frame layer and the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the width of the second frame layer increases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the second frame layer and the frame lower surface of the second frame layer.

[0377] Ex.76. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex73 to Ex75, wherein the length of the first frame layer increases along the z-direction, and wherein the length of the second frame layer decreases along the z-direction.

[0378] Ex77. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex73 to Ex76, wherein the length ofthe first frame layer decreases along the z-direction, and wherein the length ofthe second frame layer increases along the z-direction. Ex78. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex73 to Ex76, wherein the length of the first frame layer increases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the first frame layer and the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the length of the second frame layer decreases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the second frame layer and the frame lower surface of the second frame layer.

[0379] Ex79. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex73 to Ex75, wherein the length of the first frame layer decreases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the first frame layer and the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the length of the second frame layer increases along the z-direction between the frame upper surface of the first frame layer and the frame lower surface of the second frame layer.

[0380] Ex80. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex73 to Ex79, wherein the area of the upper surface of the first frame layer is less than the area of the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the area of the frame upper surface of the second frame layer is greater than the frame lower surface of the second frame layer.

[0381] Ex81. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex73 to Ex81 , wherein the area of the upper surface of the first frame layer is greater than the area of the frame lower surface of the first frame layer, and wherein the area of the frame upper surface of the second frame layer is less than the frame lower surface of the second frame layer.

[0382] Ex82. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex73 to Ex81 , wherein the frame lower surface of the first frame layer is in physical contact with the frame upper surface of the second frame layer.

[0383] Ex83. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex73 to Ex81 , wherein the frame lower surface of the first frame layer is bonded to the frame upper surface of the second frame layer.

[0384] Ex84. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex73 to Ex83, wherein the frame lower surface of the first frame layer is bonded to the frame upper surface of the second frame layer with an adhesive.

[0385] Ex85. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex84, wherein the air inlet extends through the first planar external surface. Ex86. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex85, wherein the air inlet extends through the first planar external layer.

[0386] Ex87. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex86, wherein the air outlet extends through the first planar external surface.

[0387] Ex88. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex87, wherein the air outlet extends through the first planar external layer.

[0388] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

[0389] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0390] Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 1 ;

[0391] Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0392] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0393] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0394] Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0395] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0396] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0397] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0398] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0399] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0400] Figure 12 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0401] Figure 13 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0402] Figure 14 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure; Figure 15 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0403] Figure 16 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0404] Figure 17 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0405] Figure 18 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0406] Figure 19 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0407] Figure 20 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0408] Figure 21 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0409] Figure 22 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0410] Figure 23 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;

[0411] Figure 24 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device according to the present disclosure; and

[0412] Figure 25 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device of Figure 24 in engagement with an aerosol-generating article of the present disclosure.

[0413] Figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating article 10 comprising a first planar external layer 24 forming a first planar external surface 21 , a second planar external layer 25 forming a second planar external surface 22, and a frame 50 positioned between the first planar external layer 24 and the second planar external layer 25. The first planar external layer 24 and the second planar external layer 25 both comprise an aerosol-generating substrate comprising an aerosol-generating material, namely tobacco. However, it will be understood that in some embodiments only one of the first planar external layer 24 and the second planar external layer 25 may comprise an aerosolgenerating substrate. Alternatively, or additionally, the aerosol-generating substrate may be positioned elsewhere within the aerosol-generating article 10, such as within the cavity 30..

[0414] The aerosol-generating article 10 has a length extending in the x-direction, a width extending in the y-direction and a thickness extending in the z-direction. The aerosol-generating article 10 has a length of 30 millimetres, a width of 10 millimetres, and a thickness of 3.1 millimetres.

[0415] The aerosol-generating article 10 is substantially flat aerosol-generating article or substantially planar aerosol-generating article. In particular, the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 is less than 50 percent of both the length and the width of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article 10 has a generally rectangular cuboid shape and a laminated structure formed by the first planar external layer 24, the frame 50 and the second planar external layer 25. The first planar external layer 24, the frame 50 and the second planar external layer 25 are bonded together with an adhesive, in particular guar gum, as discussed in more detail below in relation to Figure 2.

[0416] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1 .

[0417] The frame 50 has a length of 30 millimetres, a width of 10 millimetres, and a thickness of 2.7 millimetres. The frame 50 is made from cardboard and defines a frame aperture extending through the thickness of the frame 50. The frame aperture at least partially forms a cavity 30. The cavity 30 has length of 26 millimetres, a width of 6 millimetres, and a thickness of 2.7 millimetres. Therefore, the cavity 30 has a volume of about 421.2 cubic millimetres. In this embodiment, the cavity 30 is substantially empty.

[0418] The frame 50 has a frame inner surface 52 extending in the z-direction or the transverse direction between the first planar external surface 21 and the second planar external surface 22. The frame inner surface 52 defines a cavity outer wall. The frame 50 has a frame outer surface 53 extending in the z-direction or the transverse direction between the first planar external surface 21 and the second planar external surface 22. The frame outer surface 53 at least partially defines one or more external surfaces of the aerosol-generating article, such as the front wall 13 and the back wall 14.

[0419] The frame 50 comprises a peripheral wall 51 that circumscribes the cavity 30. In more detail, the peripheral wall 51 is defined by the frame inner surface 52 and the frame outer surface 52. The peripheral wall 51 has a radial thickness, as measured between the frame inner surface 52 and the frame outer surface 53 in the x / y plane, of about 2 millimetres.

[0420] The first planar external layer 24 and the second planar external layer 25 have a thickness of 200 micrometres and are in physical contact with the frame 50. The first planar external layer

[0421] 24 and the second planar external layer 25 are bonded to the frame with an adhesive 15. The first planar external layer 24 defines at least a portion of the cavity 30. The second planar external layer

[0422] 25 defines at least a portion of the cavity 30.

[0423] The aerosol-generating article 10 comprises an air inlet 11 and an air outlet 12. The air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 are defined by, and extend through, the peripheral wall 51 of the frame 50. The air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 each have a rectangular cross-section, a width of 2 millimetres, and a thickness of 0.9 millimetres. An airflow passage extends between the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 through the cavity 30.

[0424] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of an aerosol-generating article that is similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1 except that the first planar external layer 24 and the second planar external layer 25 do not comprise an aerosol-generating substrate. Instead, an aerosol-generating substrate 40 is positioned within the cavity 30. The aerosol-generating substrate 40 comprises an aerosol-generating material in the form of tobacco cut filler and has an aerosol-former content of 5 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. As shown, the aerosolgenerating substrate 40 fills the entire volume of the cavity 30. In the example of Figure 3, the aerosol-generating substrate 40 has a packing density of about 0.87, a density of about 0.3 grams per cubic centimetre, and a mass of about 110 milligrams. In another example, the aerosolgenerating substrate 40 may have a different packing density, a different density and a different mass. For example, aerosol-generating substrate may have a packing density of 0.64, a density of 0.35 grams per cubic centimetre, and a mass of about 95 milligrams.

[0425] Figure 4 shows an aerosol-generating article 10 similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figures 1 and 3 except that the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 4 comprises an outer wrapper 23 defining the first planar external surface 21 and the second planar external surface 22 instead of the first planar external layer 24 and the second planar external layer 25.

[0426] Figure 5 shows an aerosol-generating article 10 similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1 except that the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 5 further comprises a first aerosol-generating substrate layer 41 and a second aerosol-generating substrate layer 42. The first aerosol-generating substrate layer 41 and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer 42 are formed from a sheet of aerosol-generating material. In particular, a sheet of homogenised tobacco material having an aerosol-former content of 5 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. The first aerosol-generating substrate layer 41 and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer 42 each have a length equal to the length of the aerosol-generating article 10, a width equal to the width of the aerosol-generating article 10 and a thickness of 200 micrometres. That is, the aerosolgenerating article 10 has a length of 30 millimetres, a width of 10 millimetres, and a thickness of 3.5 millimetres.

[0427] The first aerosol-generating substrate layer 41 and the second aerosol-generating substrate layer 42 are in physical contact with the frame 50 and are bonded to the frame with an adhesive 15. The first aerosol-generating substrate layer 41 defines at least a portion of the cavity 30. The second aerosol-generating layer 42 defines at least a portion of the cavity 30.

[0428] The first planar external layer 24 is in physical contact with the first aerosol-generating substrate layer 41 and are bonded together with an adhesive 15. The second planar external layer 25 is in physical contact with the second aerosol-generating substrate layer 42 and are bonded together with an adhesive 15.

[0429] Figure 6 shows an exploded view of an aerosol-generating article 10 that is similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 5 except that an aerosol-generating substrate 40 is positioned within the cavity 30 as described in relation to Figure 3. The aerosol-generating substrate 40 comprises an aerosol-generating material in the form of tobacco cut filler and has an aerosol-former content of 5 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. As shown, the aerosolgenerating substrate 40 fills the entire volume of the cavity 30. Figure 7 shows an aerosol-generating article 10 similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 5 except that the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 7 comprises an outer wrapper 23 defining the first planar external surface 21 and the second planar external surface 22 instead of the first planar external layer 24 and the second planar external layer 25.

[0430] Figure 8 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1 except that the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 8 has a width which is not the same along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 extending in the z-direction.

[0431] In the example of Figure 8, the width of the aerosol-generating article 10 increases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the aerosol-generating article 10 is wider at its base than at its top.

[0432] In particular, the width of the frame 50 increases along the z-direction from a minimum where the frame 50 is adjacent the first planar external layer 24, to a maximum where the frame 50 is adjacent the second planar external layer 25. Consequently, the frame 24 has sloping or inclined side surfaces.

[0433] The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is smaller than the area of the second planar external surface 22.

[0434] In an alternative example (not shown) the width of the aerosol-generating article 10 decreases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the aerosol-generating article is narrower at its base than at its top.

[0435] Figure 9 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1 except that the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 8 has a width which is not the same along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 extending in the z-direction, and a length which is not the same along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 extending in the z- direction.

[0436] In the example of Figure 9, the length and the width of the aerosol-generating article 10 increases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the aerosol-generating article 10 is wider and longer at its base than at its top.

[0437] In particular, the length and width of the frame 50 both increase along the z-direction from a minimum where the frame 50 is adjacent the first planar external layer 24, to a maximum where the frame 50 is adjacent the second planar external layer 25. Consequently, the frame 24 has sloping or inclined side surfaces and sloping or inclined end surfaces.

[0438] The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is smaller than the area of the second planar external surface 22.

[0439] In an alternative example (not shown) the length and width of the aerosol-generating article 10 decreases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the aerosol-generating article is shorter and narrower at its base than at its top.

[0440] Figure 10 shows an aerosol-generating article 10 similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1 except that the frame 50 of the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 11 comprises a first frame layer 54 and a second frame layer 55. Figure 11 shows an exploded view of the first planar external layer 24, the frame 50 and the second planar external layer 25 of the aerosolgenerating article 10 of Figure 10.

[0441] The first planar external layer 24 is in physical contact with the first frame layer 54 and are bonded together with an adhesive 15. The first frame layer 54 is in physical contact with the second frame layer 55 and are bonded together with an adhesive 15. The second planar external layer 25 is in physical contact with the second frame layer 55 and are bonded together with an adhesive 15.

[0442] The aerosol-generating article 10 has the same dimensions as the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1. The frame 50 has the same dimensions as the frame 50 of Figure 1. The thickness of the frame 50 is equal to the sum of the thickness of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55, which both have the same thickness. The air inlet 11 and air outlet 12 are formed by both the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55.

[0443] In some examples, the first planar external layer 24 and the second planar external layer 25 comprise an aerosol-generating substrate comprising an aerosol-generating material, namely tobacco. In other examples, alternatively, or additionally, the aerosol-generating substrate may be positioned elsewhere within the aerosol-generating article 10, such as within the cavity 30.

[0444] Figure 12 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 10 except that each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 has a width which is not the same along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 extending in the z- direction.

[0445] In the example of Figure 12, the width of each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 increases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, both the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 are wider at their base than at their top.

[0446] In particular, the width of the first frame layer 54 increases along the z-direction from a minimum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the first planar external layer 24, to a maximum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the second frame layer 55. The width of the second frame layer 55 increases along the z-direction from a minimum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the first frame layer 54, to a maximum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the second planar external layer 25. Consequently, each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 has sloping or inclined side surfaces.

[0447] The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is smaller than the area of the second planar external surface 22. In an alternative example (not shown) the width of each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 decreases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In otherwords, both the first frame Iayer54 and the second frame layer 55 are narrower at their base than at their top.

[0448] Figure 13 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 10 except that each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 has a width which is not the same along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 extending in the z- direction, and a length which is not the same along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 extending in the z-direction.

[0449] In the example of Figure 13, the length and width of each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 increases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, both the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 are longer and wider at their base than at their top.

[0450] In particular, the length and width of the first frame layer 54 increase along the z-direction from a minimum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the first planar external layer 24, to a maximum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the second frame layer 55. The length and width of the second frame layer 55 increase along the z-direction from a minimum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the first frame layer 54, to a maximum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the second planar external layer 25. Consequently, each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 has sloping or inclined side surfaces and sloping or inclined end surfaces.

[0451] The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is smaller than the area of the second planar external surface 22.

[0452] In an alternative example (not shown) the length and width of each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 decreases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, both the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 are shorter and narrower at their base than at their top.

[0453] Figure 14 shows an aerosol-generating article 10 similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1 except that the frame 50 of the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 14 comprises a first frame layer 54, a second frame layer 55 and a third frame layer 56 positioned between the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55. Figure 15 shows an exploded view of the first planar external layer 24, the frame 50 and the second planar external layer 25 of the aerosolgenerating article 10 of Figure 14.

[0454] The first planar external layer 24 is in physical contact with the first frame layer 54 and are bonded together with an adhesive 15. The first frame layer 54 is in physical contact with the second frame layer 55 and are bonded together with an adhesive 15. The second frame layer 55 is in physical contact with the third frame layer 56 and are bonded together with an adhesive 15. The second planar external layer 25 is in physical contact with the third frame layer 56 and are bonded together with an adhesive 15.

[0455] The aerosol-generating article 10 has the same dimensions as the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1. The frame 50 has the same dimensions as the frame 50 in Figure 1. The thickness of the frame 50 is equal to the sum of the thickness of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56. The air inlet 11 and air outlet 12 extend through the second frame layer 55.

[0456] In some examples, the first planar external layer 24 and the second planar external layer 25 comprise an aerosol-generating substrate comprising an aerosol-generating material, namely tobacco. In other examples, alternatively, or additionally, the aerosol-generating substrate may be positioned elsewhere within the aerosol-generating article 10, such as within the cavity 30.

[0457] Figure 16 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 14 except that each of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 has a width which is not the same along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 extending in the z-direction.

[0458] In the example of Figure 16, the width of each of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 increases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, all of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 are wider at their base than at their top.

[0459] In particular, the width of the first frame layer 54 increases along the z-direction from a minimum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the first planar external layer 24, to a maximum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the second frame layer 55. The width of the second frame layer 55 increases along the z-direction from a minimum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the first frame layer 54, to a maximum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the third frame layer 56. The width of the third frame layer 56 increases along the z-direction from a minimum where the third frame layer 56 is adjacent the second frame layer 55, to a maximum where the third frame layer 56 is adjacent the second planar external layer 25. Consequently, each of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 has sloping or inclined side surfaces.

[0460] The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is smaller than the area of the second planar external surface 22.

[0461] In an alternative example (not shown) the width of each of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 decreases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, all of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 are narrower at their base than at their top.

[0462] Figure 17 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 14 except that each of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 has a length and a width which are not the same along the thickness of the aerosolgenerating article 10 extending in the z-direction.

[0463] In the example of Figure 17, the length and width of each of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 increases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, all of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 are longer and wider at their base than at their top.

[0464] In particular, the length and width of the first frame layer 54 increases along the z-direction from a minimum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the first planar external layer 24, to a maximum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the second frame layer 55. The length and width of the second frame layer 55 increases along the z-direction from a minimum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the first frame layer 54, to a maximum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the third frame layer 56. The length and width of the third frame layer 56 increases along the z-direction from a minimum where the third frame layer 56 is adjacent the second frame layer 55, to a maximum where the third frame layer 56 is adjacent the second planar external layer 25. Consequently, each of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 has sloping or inclined side surfaces and sloping or inclined end surfaces.

[0465] The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is smaller than the area of the second planar external surface 22.

[0466] In an alternative example (not shown) the length and the width of each of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 decreases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, all of the first frame layer 54, the second frame layer 55 and the third frame layer 56 are shorter and narrower at their base than at their top.

[0467] Figure 18 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 14 except that one of the frame layers has a width that is not the same as the width of the other frame layers.

[0468] In the example of Figure 18, the second frame layer 55 has a width that is greater than both the width of the first frame layer 54 and the width of the third frame layer 56. Consequently, the lateral edges of the second frame layer 55 extend and protrude beyond the lateral edges of the first frame layer 54 and the third frame layer 56.

[0469] The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is the same as the area of the second planar external surface 22.

[0470] Advantageously, the wider second frame layer 55 may assist in a user locating the aerosolgenerating article 10 into an aerosol-generating device. For example, the second frame layer 55 may act as a tongue of a tongue and groove configuration, cooperating with a corresponding groove in a heating chamber of an aerosol-generating device. Figure 19 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 14 except that one of the frame layers has a width that is not the same as the width of the other frame layers.

[0471] In the example of Figure 18, the second frame layer 55 has a width that is less than both the width of the first frame layer 54 and the width of the third frame layer 56. Consequently, the lateral edges of the first frame layer 54 and the third frame layer 56 extend and protrude beyond the lateral edges of the second frame layer 55 extend.

[0472] The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is the same as the area of the second planar external surface 22.

[0473] Advantageously, the narrower second frame layer 55 may assist in a user locating the aerosol-generating article 10 into an aerosol-generating device. For example, the second frame layer 55 may act as a groove of a tongue and groove configuration, cooperating with a corresponding tongue in a heating chamber of an aerosol-generating device.

[0474] Figure 20 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 10 except that each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 have a width which is not the same along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 extending in the z-direction.

[0475] In the example of Figure 20, the width of the first frame layer 54 increases along the z- direction from the first planar external surface 21 towards the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the first frame layer 54 is wider at its base than at its top. The width of the second frame layer 55 decreases along the z-direction from the direction of the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the second frame layer 55 is narrower at its base than at its top.

[0476] In particular, the width of the first frame layer 54 increases along the z-direction from a minimum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the first planar external layer 24, to a maximum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the second frame layer 55. The width of the second frame layer 55 decreases along the z-direction from a maximum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the first frame layer 54, to a minimum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the second planar external layer 25. Consequently, each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 has sloping or inclined side surfaces.

[0477] The aerosol-generating article 10 is arranged such that the wider end of the first frame layer 54 is adjacent and abutting the wider end of the second frame layer 55.

[0478] The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is the same as the area of the second planar external surface 22.

[0479] Figure 21 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 10 except that each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 have a width which is not the same along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 extending in the z-direction. In the example of Figure 21 , the width of the first frame layer 54 decreases along the z- direction from the first planar external surface 21 towards the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the first frame layer 54 is narrower at its base than at its top. The width of the second frame layer 55 increases along the z-direction from the direction of the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the second frame layer 55 is wider at its base than at its top.

[0480] In particular, the width of the first frame layer 54 decreases along the z-direction from a maximum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the first planar external layer 24, to a minimum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the second frame layer 55. The width of the second frame layer 55 increases along the z-direction from a minimum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the first frame layer 54, to a maximum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the second planar external layer 25. Consequently, each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 has sloping or inclined side surfaces.

[0481] The aerosol-generating article 10 is arranged such that the narrower end of the first frame layer 54 is adjacent and abutting the narrower end of the second frame layer 55.

[0482] The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is the same as the area of the second planar external surface 22.

[0483] Figure 22 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 10 except that each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 have a length and a width which are not the same along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 extending in the z-direction.

[0484] In the example of Figure 22, the length and width of the first frame layer 54 increase along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 towards the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the first frame layer 54 is longer and wider at its base than at its top. The length and width of the second frame layer 55 decrease along the z-direction from the direction of the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the second frame layer 55 is shorter and narrower at its base than at its top.

[0485] In particular, the length and width of the first frame layer 54 increase along the z-direction from a minimum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the first planar external layer 24, to a maximum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the second frame layer 55. The length and width of the second frame layer 55 decrease along the z-direction from a maximum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the first frame layer 54, to a minimum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the second planar external layer 25. Consequently, each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 has sloping or inclined side surfaces.

[0486] The aerosol-generating article 10 is arranged such that the longer and wider end of the first frame layer 54 is adjacent and abutting the longer and wider end of the second frame layer 55. The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is the same as the area of the second planar external surface 22.

[0487] Figure 23 shows an aerosol-generating article similar to the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 10 except that each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 have a length and width which are not the same along the thickness of the aerosol-generating article 10 extending in the z-direction.

[0488] In the example of Figure 23, the length and width of the first frame layer 54 decrease along the z-direction from the first planar external surface 21 towards the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the first frame layer 54 is shorter and narrower at its base than at its top. The length and width of the second frame layer 55 increase along the z-direction from the direction of the first planar external surface 21 to the second planar external surface 22. In other words, the second frame layer 55 is longer and wider at its base than at its top.

[0489] In particular, the length and width of the first frame layer 54 decrease along the z-direction from a maximum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the first planar external layer 24, to a minimum where the first frame layer 54 is adjacent the second frame layer 55. The length and width of the second frame layer 55 increase along the z-direction from a minimum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the first frame layer 54, to a maximum where the second frame layer 55 is adjacent the second planar external layer 25. Consequently, each of the first frame layer 54 and the second frame layer 55 has sloping or inclined side surfaces.

[0490] The aerosol-generating article 10 is arranged such that the shorter and narrower end of the first frame layer 54 is adjacent and abutting the shorter and narrower end of the second frame layer 55.

[0491] The first planar external surface 21 has an area which is the same as the area of the second planar external surface 22.

[0492] In the above examples, the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 are defined by, and extend through, the peripheral wall 51 of the frame 50. In other examples, the air inlet 11 or the air outlet 12 may instead extend through one of the first planar external layer 24 or the second planar external layer 25. In other examples, the air inlet 11 may extend through the first planar external layer 24, and the air outlet 12 may extend through the second planar external layer 25.

[0493] Figure 24 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating device 90 configured for use with an aerosol-generating article 10 described herein. The aerosol-generating device 90 is an elongate aerosol-generating device extending between a proximal end 91 and a distal end 92. The aerosol-generating device 90 comprises a battery 93, a controller 94, a first heater 95 and a second heater 96 located within a housing 97. The controller 94 controls supply of power from the battery 93 to the first heater 95 and the second heater 96. A cavity 1000 is defined in the device 90, the cavity 1000 having an opening 1010 defined in the proximal end 91 of the device 90. The opening 1010 is rectangular in shape and is dimensioned to accommodate the transverse cross-section of the aerosol-generating article 10. The cavity 1000 comprises an upper planar surface 1020 and a lower planar surface 1030. The first heater 95 is located in the upper planar surface 1020 to heat the first planar external surface 21 of an aerosol-generating article 10 inserted into the cavity 1000, and the second heater 96 is located in the lower planar surface 1030 to heat the second planar external surface 22 of an aerosol-generating article 10 inserted into the cavity 1000. The device 90 comprises an air inlet 98 defining an air-flow path configured to allow air to flow into the cavity 1000 from outside the device.

[0494] Figure 25 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating device 90 of Figure 24 in engagement with the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1 . There is little tolerance between the first planar external surface 21 and the second planar external surface 22 of the aerosol-generating article 10 and the internal surfaces 1020, 1030 of the cavity 1000. Thus, there is a snug fit between the aerosol-generating article 10 and the aerosol-generating device 90. When a consumer has inserted the aerosol-generating article 10 into the cavity 1000, the device can be operated. The first heater 95 heats the first planar external surface 21 of the aerosol-generating article 10 and the second heater 96 heats the second planar external surface 22 of the aerosolgenerating article, and as a result the aerosol-generating substrate is heated. Volatile components of the aerosol-generating substrate are evaporated and condense in the cavity 30 of the aerosolgenerating article 10 to form an aerosol. The consumer inhales the aerosol by drawing on the end of the aerosol-generating article 10 comprising the air outlet 12. Once the aerosol-generating substrate has been depleted of volatile components, the aerosol-generating article 10 is removed from the cavity 1000 and disposed of.

[0495] For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 10% of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article being defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, the aerosol-generating article comprising: a first planar external surface; a second planar external surface; a cavity; one or more aerosol-generating substrates; and an air inlet and an air outlet, and an airflow passage extending between the air inlet and the air outlet and through the cavity, wherein the width of the aerosol-generating article is not the same along the z-direction.

2. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 , comprising a frame positioned between the first planar external surface and the second planar external surface, the frame at least partially defining the cavity.

3. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the width of the aerosol-generating article increases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface.

4. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 3, wherein the width of the aerosolgenerating article increases by at least 1 percent.

5. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the width of the aerosolgenerating article increases by at between 5 percent and 10 percent.

6. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the aerosol-generating article decreases along the z-direction from the first planar external surface to the second planar external surface.

7. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 6, wherein the width of the aerosolgenerating article decreases by at least 1 percent.

8. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the width of the aerosol-generating article decreases by at between 5 percent and 10 percent.

9. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first planar external surface has an area that is different to an area of the second planar external surface.

10. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 9, wherein the first planar external surface has an area that is less than the area of the second planar external surface .

11. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 9, wherein the first planar external surface has an area that is greater than the area of the second planar external surface.

12. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 2, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frame layers.

13. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 12, wherein each of the frame layers is defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, wherein the width of at least one of the frame layers is not the same along the z-direction.

14. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 13, wherein the width of each of the frame layers is not the same along the z-direction.

15. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 12 to 24, wherein each of the frame layers comprises a frame upper surface and an opposing frame lower surface, and wherein the frame upper surface of at least one frame layer has an area that is different to an area of the opposing frame lower surface of the frame layer.

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