Aerosol generating article and assembly

Abstract

An aerosol generating article (3) for an aerosol generating device (1), the aerosol generating article comprising a mouthpiece (30) and a substrate portion (50) comprising an aerosol generating substrate, wherein the aerosol generating substrate (51) is able to generate aerosol when it is heated by a heater (12) of the aerosol generating device, wherein the mouthpiece and the substrate portion are coupled to each other along a main axis (X3) of the aerosol generating article, wherein the aerosol generating article is deformable between: a flat state, where the mouthpiece is planar along the main axis; and an expanded state, where the mouthpiece is expanded transversally relative to the main axis, so as form an aerosol channel which leads to the coupled substrate portion.

Description

[0001] Aerosol generating article and assembly

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention concerns an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating assembly including said aerosol generating article.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporisers) has grown rapidly in the past few years as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm vaporizable substances as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

[0006] A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generation device or heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type generate aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol substrate, but not by burning the substrate. The aerosol substrate typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 350°C. Heating an aerosol substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the tobacco or other vaporizable material does not typically comprise the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant for the user and so the substrate does not therefore require the sugars and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and / or vapour more palatable for the user.

[0007] Some known aerosol generating devices operate with a consumable aerosol generating article, including a substrate portion, containing an aerosol generating substrate that forms aerosol to be inhaled by the user when heated. For operating with the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating article is first inserted into the body of an aerosol generating device. Then, a mobile mouthpiece belonging to the aerosol generating device and having a flow outlet, is assembled with the body of the device, thereby covering the aerosol generating article. The device further comprises a heater, integrated to the body, for heating the substrate portion. The generated aerosol flows into the user’s mouth through the flow outlet of the mouthpiece, as the mouth of the user is in contact with the mouthpiece. In these known devices, the mouthpiece enables comfortable vaping of the user, since the mouthpiece has an ergonomic shape and size. However, the mouthpiece may need to be cleaned often and may take up much space, for example in the user’s pocket, in addition to the aerosol generating device. On the other hand, providing a single-use mouthpiece in the packaging of the aerosol generating article, or in a separate packaging, would increase the size of the packaging for the mouthpiece to still be ergonomic.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] One of the aims of the invention is to provide an aerosol generating article to be operated with an aerosol generating device, where a mouthpiece for the aerosol generating article may be single use without the article, in particular the mouthpiece, taking up too much space when packaged or stored.

[0010] For this purpose, the invention relates to an aerosol generating article for an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating article comprising a mouthpiece and a substrate portion comprising an aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating substrate is able to generate aerosol when it is heated by a heater of the aerosol generating device. The mouthpiece and the substrate portion are coupled to each other along a main axis of the aerosol generating article, wherein the aerosol generating article is deformable between:

[0011] - a flat state, where the mouthpiece is planar along the main axis; and

[0012] - an expanded state, where the mouthpiece is expanded transversally relative to the main axis, so as form an aerosol channel which leads to the coupled substrate portion.

[0013] The aerosol generating article is preferably a consumable article, i.e. is usable for a single vaping session, until the aerosol generating substrate is exhausted by generating the aerosol. In particular, the mouthpiece expands transversally relative to its previous planar shape, when deforming from the flat state to the expanded state. In particular, in case the mouthpiece and the substrate portion can be uncoupled from each other, the aerosol channel leads to the substrate portion only when the mouthpiece and the substrate portion are coupled to each other. Thanks to these features, in the flat state, the aerosol generating article, in particular the mouthpiece, but preferably also the substrate portion, may remain sufficiently small and of convenient shape for storage and packaging, whereas in the expanded state, the mouthpiece gets sufficiently big and acquires an appropriate shape for the user’s mouth. In the flat state, the mouthpiece is planar, i.e. flat and thin, and is thus very compact and easy to include in the package. Preferably, the substrate portion is also planar so that the aerosol generating article is entirely planar when in the flat state. In the expanded state, the user may conveniently position a user’s mouth on the expanded, i.e. open, mouthpiece, to inhale the aerosol generated from the substrate portion through the aerosol channel formed by the mouthpiece. In the expanded state, the substrate portion may remain planar and / or keep the same shape than in the flat state, or also be deformed, which may improve the generation and flowing of the aerosol.

[0014] In particular, it may be provided that the aerosol generating article tends to elastically deform to the expanded state, when in the flat state. In this case, the aerosol generating article may be maintained in the flat state by a packaging. Thus, when the user wants to use the aerosol generating article, the user takes the aerosol generating article out of the package, or opens the package, and the aerosol generating article automatically deforms to the expanded state, thus being ready to use.

[0015] Alternatively, it may be provided that the aerosol generating article tends to elastically deform to the flat state, when in the expanded state. In this case, the aerosol generating article may be maintained in the expanded state when coupled to the aerosol generating device. Thus, the article may be deformed to the expanded state by the aerosol generating device, when coupled to the aerosol generating device, such as, during coupling with the aerosol generating device. When uncoupled after use, the aerosol generating article may deform back to the flat state and become compact again for disposal or recycling.

[0016] Alternatively, it may be provided that the aerosol generating article tends to remain in the flat state, when in the flat state, and tends to remain in the expanded state, when in the expanded state, and is deformed from one state to the other by an action of the user or of the device. For example, the user may manually deform the article from the flat state to the expanded state, preferably by pressing the mouthpiece or the substrate portion transversally inwards relative to the main axis. According to another example, the article may be deformed to the expanded state by the aerosol generating device, when coupled to the aerosol generating device. According to the invention, the mouthpiece comprises an upper sheet, a lower sheet and two lateral folding lines.

[0017] According to the invention, the upper sheet and the lower sheet are attached to each other via the two lateral folding lines in either state of the aerosol generation article.

[0018] According to some embodiments, in the flat state, the upper sheet and the lower sheet are in contact with each other.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the upper sheet and the lower sheet are both planar and are flatly superposed when the aerosol generating article is in the flat state.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the upper sheet and the lower sheet are folded or curved so as to delineate the aerosol channel between them and between the two lateral folding lines, when the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state.

[0021] Thanks to these features, the mouthpiece may be formed of a sheet, or of an assembly of sheets, of a flat material, such as paper, cardboard or the like. For example, the upper sheet can be formed by a first sheet of paper, cardboard or other flat material, assembled with the lower sheet, formed by a second sheet of the same material. In this case, the two sheet may be assembled at the lateral folding lines, for example by gluing. The folding lines fold or unfold during the deformation between the flat and expanded states. According to another example, a single sheet of paper, cardboard or other flat material may form both upper and lower sheets, said single sheet being folded at one folding line and assembled with itself at the second folding line. Thanks to these features, the mouthpiece is easy to manufacture and can be made of a material easy to recycle, in particular adapted for a single-use of the mouthpiece. Thanks to these features, the mouthpiece can have a very thin and flat shape when in the flat state, and thereby be very compact.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the substrate portion defines a receiving volume extending along the main axis and receiving the aerosol generating substrate.

[0023] Thanks to these features, the aerosol generating substrate is enclosed inside the substrate portion and protected from the outside, especially when the aerosol generating article is in the flat state, where the aerosol channel is closed. According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate is distributed homogeneously within the receiving volume.

[0024] Thanks to these features, the aerosol generating article embeds a large quantity of aerosol generating substrate to be heated by the heater of the device. For example, the receiving volume is parallelepiped-shaped, said parallelepiped being parallel to the main axis and to the planar shape of the mouthpiece when in the flat state. Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate is the most elongated along the main axis. Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate is also elongated transversally relative to the main axis, parallel to the planar shape of the mouthpiece when in the flat state. Preferably, the aerosol generating substrate is the least elongated transversally relative to the main axis and to the planar shape of the mouthpiece when in the flat state, so that the aerosol generating article is compact when in the flat state, including at the substrate portion. This shape also enables efficient heating of the substrate portion by the heater.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating article comprises a main wrapper forming at least a part of the aerosol channel of the mouthpiece when the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state. According to some embodiments, the main wrapper also wraps the aerosol generating substrate for forming the substrate portion therewith and thereby defines the receiving volume. According to some embodiments, the mouthpiece is non-detachably coupled to the substrate portion by the main wrapper.

[0026] Thanks to these features, the manufacturing and the use of the aerosol generating article may be simplified, since a single main wrapper both forms the mouthpiece and encloses the aerosol generating substrate. In particular, a step of assembling the mouthpiece to the substrate portion is avoided, during manufacturing and / or during use. Thanks to these features, a risk of accidental separation of the mouthpiece from the substrate portion is reduced. The main wrapper may be made of paper, cardboard or another sheet-material suitable for wrapping. Preferably, the main wrapper forms the above- mentioned upper and lower sheets and the lateral folding lines, or the below-mentioned first and second flaps and central folding line.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the substrate portion comprises a substrate wrapper, wherein the substrate wrapper is separate from the mouthpiece. Thanks to these features, the mouthpiece can have a shape and structure independent from the substrate portion, especially if the mouthpiece is detachable from the substrate portion. A single design for the mouthpiece can match different types of substrate portions, which may facilitate logistics, manufacturing and / or use of the aerosol generating article. In this case, the above-mentioned upper and lower sheets and the lateral folding lines, are formed separately from the substrate wrapper.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the mouthpiece is detachably coupled to the substrate portion, and wherein the substrate wrapper defines the receiving volume by wrapping the aerosol generating substrate.

[0029] Thanks to these features, in use, a single mouthpiece may be coupled to a desired substrate portion by the user, for forming the aerosol generating article in a desired combination. In other words, the user may choose to which substrate portion the mouthpiece will be coupled. Thanks to these features, it can be provided that the mouthpiece is to be used several times successively, each time with a new substrate portion, through several vaping sessions. Thanks to these features, it can be provided that the mouthpiece is packaged with the substrate portion in a more compact manner, with the mouthpiece uncoupled from the substrate portion. For example, the mouthpiece can be arranged in the flat state along the substrate portion in the package. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece can be packaged separately from the substrate portion.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the mouthpiece comprises a female connector end that receives a male connector end of the substrate portion when the mouthpiece and the substrate portion are coupled to each other.

[0031] Thanks to these features, the mouthpiece can be easily coupled to the substrate portion for a vaping session, by engaging the female connector around the male connector. Since the mouthpiece forms the female connector, it is easier to design a mouthpiece that becomes larger when deformed to the expanded state.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the substrate portion is also planar when the aerosol generating article is in the flat state, so that the mouthpiece and the substrate portion are coplanar when the aerosol generating article is in the flat state. In particular, in case the mouthpiece and the substrate portion can be uncoupled from each other, they are coplanar when the mouthpiece and the substrate portion are coupled to each other. Thanks to these features, the entire aerosol generating article is planar when in the flat state, so as to be very compact for packaging and storing. For example, this planar shape may enable stacking several aerosol generating articles. For example, this planar shape may enable that, in case the mouthpiece can be uncoupled from the substrate portion, the mouthpiece is stacked with the substrate portion.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the substrate portion is planar when the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state.

[0034] In particular, it may be provided that the substrate portion does not deform between the flat and the expanded state. In particular, it may be provided that, the mouthpiece and the substrate portion are both planar in a coplanar arrangement in the flat state, and, when deforming to the expanded state, the mouthpiece is expanded transversally relative to the planar shape of the substrate portion.

[0035] Thanks to these features, the shape of the substrate portion may have a higher rigidity, or have a more easily predictable shape in the expanded state, to facilitate the design of the aerosol generating device to be coupled therewith.

[0036] According to some embodiments, both the mouthpiece and the substrate portion are deformed when the aerosol generating article is deformed between the flat state and the expanded state.

[0037] Thanks to these features, compactness is optimal when in the flat state, the mouthpiece is ergonomic for the mouth when in the expanded state, and the generation and flowing of the aerosol at the substrate portion is optimal in the expanded state. Also, the deformation of the substrate portion may facilitate to obtain an even better or more ergonomic shape for the mouthpiece, since the deformation is not hindered by the substrate portion.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the aerosol generating article comprises a central folding line parallel to the main axis, wherein the aerosol generating article comprises a first flap, carrying a first part of the aerosol generating substrate and a second flap carrying a second part of the aerosol generating substrate, wherein the first flap, the second flap and the central folding line are coplanar when the aerosol generating article is in the flat state and wherein the first flap and the second flap are inclined relative to each other around the central folding line when the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state.

[0039] Thanks to these features, the generation of aerosol may be optimized, since the heater may heat the aerosol generating substrate more efficiently considering its two-part structure and the inclination of the flaps relative to one another. In addition, the flow of aerosol may be optimised, since the inclined flaps may leave space for forming a larger path for the flow of aerosol. Thanks to these features, the article may be very flat and thin when in the flat state, and rigid when in the expanded state.

[0040] Preferably, the first flap, the second flap and the central folding line also form a part of the mouthpiece. Preferably, the first flap, the second flap and the central folding line extend from a mouthpiece longitudinal end of the aerosol generating article to a substrate longitudinal end of the aerosol generating article. Thus, the aerosol generating article is easy to manufacture as the same flaps continuously form part of the mouthpiece and of the substrate portion. Preferably, the flaps and folding line constitute a structural backbone for the article when in the expanded state.

[0041] The invention also relates to an assembly an assembly, comprising: an aerosol generating article according to any one of the preceding embodiments; and an aerosol generating device, comprising: o a cavity for receiving the substrate portion of the aerosol generating article, and o a heater, for heating the substrate portion for generating aerosol when the substrate portion is received in the cavity and the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state.

[0042] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting examples and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, including an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article shown in a flat state;

[0044] Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 , where the aerosol generating article is shown in an expanded state;

[0045] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating article according to a second embodiment of the invention, shown in an expanded state;

[0046] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating article according to a third embodiment of the invention, shown in flat state;

[0047] Figure 5 is a view similar to figure 4, where the aerosol generating article is shown in an expanded state;

[0048] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating article according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, shown in an expanded state;

[0049] Figure 7 is a front view of the aerosol generating article of Figure 6.

[0050] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

[0052] As used herein, the term “aerosol generating device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of aerosol generating unit (e.g. an aerosol generating element which generates vapor which condenses into an aerosol before delivery to an outlet of the device at, for example, a mouthpiece, for inhalation by a user). The device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating a heater system for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and / or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapor to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and / or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.

[0053] As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of precursor as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to / include a vapor. Aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor.

[0054] As used herein, the terms “aerosol generating substrate”, “aerosol-forming precursor” or “precursor” or “aerosol-forming substance” or “substance” or “vaporizable material” are used to designate any material that is vaporizable in air to form aerosol. Vaporization is generally obtained by a temperature increase up to the boiling point of the vaporization material, such as at a temperature up to 400°C, preferably up to 350°C. The vaporizable material may, for example, comprise or consist of an aerosol-generating liquid, gel, or wax or the like or an aerosol -generating solid that may be in the form of a rod, which contains processed tobacco material, a crimped sheet or oriented strips of reconstituted tobacco (RTB), or any combination of these. The vaporizable material may comprise one or more of: nicotine; caffeine or other active components. The active component may be carried with a carrier, which may be a liquid. The carrier may include propylene glycol or glycerin.

[0055] Figures 1 and 2 show an assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention. The assembly includes an aerosol generating device 1 and an aerosol generating article 3. The article 3 includes a mouthpiece 30 and a substrate portion 50, coupled to each other along a main axis X3. The substrate portion 50 includes an aerosol generating substrate 51.

[0056] The aerosol generating device 1 comprises a cavity 11 and a heater 12. The cavity 11 is open towards an outward direction 011. For starting a vaping session, the user may insert the aerosol generating article 3 into the cavity 11 , so that the substrate portion 50 is received into the cavity 11. The article 3 may be inserted by being moved relative to the device 1 along a direction of insertion 012, opposite to the outward direction 011 , with the main axis X3 parallel to said directions 011 and 012. When the substrate portion is received in the cavity 11 , the mouthpiece 30 preferably protrudes outside from the cavity 11 , in the outward direction 011 , so a user’s mouth may be positioned on the mouthpiece 30, for the user to inhale an aerosol generated at the substrate portion 50 through the mouthpiece 30. The aerosol generating substrate 51 is configured to generate aerosol when it is heated by the heater 12 of the aerosol generating device 1 , when the substrate portion 50 is received in the cavity 11 . At the end of the vaping session, such as, when the substrate 51 is depleted, the user may remove the article 3 from the cavity 11. The article 3 may be removed by pulling the article 3 in the outward direction 011 relative to the device 1. Then the article 3 may be disposed of, such as recycled.

[0057] The heater 12 is arranged along and / or around the cavity 11 for being able to heat the aerosol generating substrate 51 of substrate portion 50, received in the cavity 11 , thereby causing the generation of the aerosol by the substrate 51. The heater 12 is electric heater which may produce heat by Joule effect, i.e. resistively, or by induction.

[0058] As shown schematically in figure 1 , the aerosol generating device 1 may also comprise a battery 13, so that the aerosol generating device 1 is portable. The device 1 may also include an inhalation sensor 14, able to detect an inhalation of the user through the mouthpiece 30 when the article 3 is received in the cavity 11 . Alternatively or in addition to the sensor 14, the device 1 may include a trigger 15, for example in the form of a button, to be actuated by the user. The aerosol generating device 1 may include an electronic control module 16, for example including a printed circuit board. The battery 13 powers the heater 12 electrically, for example through the electronic control module 16, or through the trigger 15 or sensor 14 is no control module 16 is provided. If the control module 16 is provided, the control module 16 may also be powered by the battery 13. The module 16 controls the powering of the heater 12 by the battery 13, depending on a state of the sensor 14 and / or of the trigger 15, provided as an input to the module 16. If no module 16 is provided, the sensor 14 and / or the trigger 15 control the powering of the heater 12 by the battery 13.

[0059] The article 3 further defines a lateral direction L3 and a transversal direction T3, perpendicular to the main axis X3 and to each other. The aerosol generating article 3 is deformable between a flat state shown in figure 1 and an expanded state shown in figure 2. More precisely, this embodiment provides that, between the flat and expanded state, only the mouthpiece 30 is deformed while the substrate portion 50 is not. Preferably, as shown in figures 1 and 2, the substrate portion 50 is planar, i.e. is flat, along the main axis X3 in either states of the article 3. The substrate portion 50 for example has an overall rectangular shape. The substrate portion 50 is the thinnest along direction T3, so as to be planar along to a plane perpendicular to the direction T3.

[0060] As shown in figures 1 and 2, the aerosol generating substrate 51 is arranged along the main axis X3, at a substrate longitudinal end 54 of the substrate portion 50, which is also a longitudinal end of the article 3 along the main axis X3. The end 54 is formed in direction 012. The substrate 51 has an overall flat shape in a plane perpendicular to the transversal direction T3, for example rectangular. More precisely, the aerosol generating substrate 51 may have a parallelepiped shape. The substrate 51 may be the longest along the main axis X3, may be shorter along the lateral direction L3, and shortest in the transversal direction T3. One of the benefits to use a flat aerosol generating substrate 51 is to obtain a fast heating up time thereof. This can be achieved by heating the substrate 51 from one side, and preferably from both sides simultaneously, with the heater 12, which enables a quick heat transfer, through a large surface of the substrate 51 . The thickness of the aerosol generating substrate 51 along direction T3 preferably does not exceed 1 mm, or even 0,5 mm. In this context, the maximum thickness of the substrate portion 50 along direction T3 preferably does not exceed 2 mm, 1 mm or even 0,5 mm.

[0061] The substrate portion 50 preferably comprises a cooling portion 52. The cooling portion 52 is formed along the main axis X3, between the mouthpiece 30 and the aerosol generating substrate 51. The cooling portion 52 forms another longitudinal end 55 of the portion 50, along the main axis X3, opposite to the end 54. The end 55 is formed in direction 011. The cooling portion 52 ensures a fluid connection of the end 55 to the substrate 51 , so that aerosol may flow from the substrate 51 to the end 55 for reaching the mouthpiece 30 when the user inhales. The cooling portion 52 may also enable flowing of inlet air from the end 55 or from an inlet hole 56, to the substrate 51. To that end, the cooling portion 52 may include a single channel, or preferably several channels, parallel to the main axis X3, connecting the end 55 to the substrate 51. The flowing of aerosol and / or of inlet air through the cooling portion 52 may enable to cool the aerosol before it reaches the user’s mouth.

[0062] The substrate portion 50 preferably comprises a substrate wrapper 53, which is separate from the mouthpiece 30. The substrate wrapper 53 is made of a sheet material, such as paper, cardboard or the like. The wrapper 53 preferably extends from the end 54 to the end 55. The substrate wrapper 53 encloses the substrate 51 . To that end, the wrapper 53 defines a receiving volume 57, extending along the main axis X3 and receiving the substrate 51. The receiving volume 57 preferably corresponds to the shape of the substrate 51 , so that the substrate 51 is fixedly received in the wrapper 53. Preferably, the substrate 53 is distributed homogeneously in the volume 57, i.e. fills the volume 57 entirely.

[0063] In other embodiments, the substrate is not distributed homogenously in the receiving volume 57. For example, several aerosol forming channels may be delineated by the substrate, such as, parallel to the main axis X3. The aerosol forming channel may promote a more efficient formation and flowing of the aerosol in the volume 57. In that case, apart from the channels, the substrate is preferably homogenously distributed in the receiving volume 57.

[0064] The substrate wrapper 53 encloses the cooling portion 52. The substrate wrapper 53 may form all or part of the cooling portion 52, for example by forming the single channel or the plurality of channels of the portion 52.

[0065] The wrapper 53 preferably forms a pocket, closed at the end 54 and open at the end 55, for enabling fluid connection between the mouthpiece 30 and the substrate portion 50, so that aerosol may flow from the substrate 51 , to the mouthpiece 30, through the cooling portion 52 if provided, and through the end 55, when the user inhales through the mouthpiece 30. When the aerosol is inhaled by the user, inlet air may be admitted into the substrate portion 50 in the direction 012, for example through the inlet hole 56 provided through the wrapper 53 between the ends 54 and 55, such as, at the cooling portion 52.

[0066] More generally, should the wrapper 53 be provided or not, the substrate portion 50 is preferably open at the end 55 and closed at the end 54. However, the substrate portion 50 may also be open at the end 54, for example for admitting inlet air therethrough, in particular if no hole 56 is provided.

[0067] Alternatively, the substrate portion 50 does not have a cooling portion. In that case, the wrapper 53 encloses only the substrate 51 , which extends from the end 54 to the end 55.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the mouthpiece 30 is a part independent and separable from the substrate portion 50, in particular, separate from the substrate wrapper 53. Along the axis X3, the mouthpiece 30 comprises a mouthpiece longitudinal end 31 and another longitudinal end 32, opposite to the end 31. The end 31 is oriented in the direction 011 , while the end 32 is oriented in the direction 012.

[0069] The mouthpiece 30 is coupled to the substrate portion via the end 32 and via the end 55. In the present example, the mouthpiece 30 is detachably coupled to the substrate portion 50, in that the ends 32 and 55 may be coupled and uncoupled by the user. Preferably, as shown in figures 1 and 2, the mouthpiece 30 comprises a female connector end, formed by the end 32 and the substrate portion 50 comprises a male connector end, formed by the end 55. When the mouthpiece 30 is coupled to the substrate portion 50, the female connector end 32 receives the male connector end 55, as shown in figures 1 and 2.

[0070] Alternatively, the end 55 may be a female coupling end while the end 32 may be a male coupling end, received into the end 55 when the mouthpiece 30 and the substrate portion 50 are coupled.

[0071] Alternatively, the mouthpiece 30 and the substrate portion 50 may be inseparable, and may always remain coupled, as explained in detail for other embodiments disclosed therein.

[0072] In use, the end 32 is preferably not deformed between the flat and the expanded states of the article 3, since the substrate portion 50 is also not deformed.

[0073] The mouthpiece 30 preferably comprises an upper sheet 33, a lower sheet 34 and two lateral folding lines 35 and 36. Each of the sheets 33 and 34 and the lines 35 and 36 extend from the end 32 to the end 31 . The upper sheet 33 and the lower sheet 34 are attached to each other via the two lateral folding lines 35 and 36 in either state of the aerosol generating article 3.

[0074] As shown in figure 1 , when the article 3 is in the flat state, the mouthpiece 30 is planar along the main axis X3, perpendicular to the direction T3. In the flat state, the mouthpiece 30 and the substrate portion 50 are coplanar along the main axis X3 and perpendicularly to the direction T3, as shown in figure 1 . In particular, in the flat state, the upper sheet 33 and the lower sheet 34 are both planar, and are flatly superposed onto one another, preferably in contact to one another. The sheets 33 and 34 are perpendicular to the direction T3 and extend along the axis X3, thus generally extend in a coplanar manner with the substrate portion 50. More precisely, as visible on figure 1 , the sheets 33 and 34 may not be exactly in contact or be perfectly planar, since the end 32 has a tubular shape for ensuring the coupling with the substrate portion 50. Thus, the sheets 33 and 34 may be in contact to each other at the end 31 and close to the folding lines 35 and 36, and a central region of the sheets 33 and 34 may slightly diverge from the end 31 to the end 32.

[0075] In other words, “planar” may encompass embodiments where the sheets 33 and 34, or the mouthpiece 30 as a whole, is almost planar, in the sense that the mouthpiece 30 extends along a plane perpendicular to the direction T3, with a thickness along the direction T3 not exceeding 2 mm, 1 mm, or even 0,5 mm, or not exceeding a thickness of the substrate 51 measured along direction T3.

[0076] When the article 3 is in the flat state, the lateral folding lines 35 and 36 are perpendicular to the direction T3 and coplanar with the axis X3. Preferably, the folding lines 35 and 36 are straight shaped. Preferably, in the flat state, the folding lines 35 and 36 diverge from each other along the axis X3, from the end 32 to the end 31.

[0077] When the article 3 is in the flat state, the end 31 is preferably closed, as edges of the sheets 33 and 34 delimiting said end 31 are in contact to each other.

[0078] As shown in figure 2, when the article 3 is in the expanded state, the mouthpiece 30 is expanded transversally relative to the main axis X3, namely is expanded along the direction T3. More precisely, at least the end 31 is expanded along the direction T3, so as to be open and to surround the axis X3. When the article 3 is in the expanded state, the mouthpiece 30 forms an aerosol channel 37, which is tubular shaped around the axis X3 and which connects the open end 31 to the open end 32 along the main axis X3. The aerosol channel 37 thereby leads to the substrate portion 50 via the end 32 when the mouthpiece 30 is coupled to the substrate portion 50. Therefore, when the user inhales, the aerosol formed by the aerosol generating substrate may be admitted inside the channel 37 via the end 32 and reach the user’s mouth via the end 31. Preferably, in the expanded state, the upper sheet 33 and the lower sheet 34 delineate the aerosol channel 37 between them, along direction T3. Preferably, along direction L3, the aerosol channel 37 is delineated by the two lateral folding lines 35 and 36. For example, the aerosol channel 37 is formed by the sheets 33 and 34 themselves. The longitudinal ends of the channel 37 are formed by the ends 31 and 32, which form open ends of the channel 37 for flowing of aerosol into the channel 37 and out of the channel 37.

[0079] In some embodiments, the sheets 33 and 34 are made of individual sheets assembled to each other at the folding lines 35 and 35, for example by gluing. Alternatively, a single sheet may form both sheets 33 ad 34 and at least one of the folding lines 35 and 36. The end 32 may be formed by a sheet assembled with the sheets 33 and 34, or with a sheet integral with one or both of the sheets 33 and 34. A suitable sheet material may constitute all the sheets and folding lines of the mouthpiece, such as paper or cardboard.

[0080] In the expanded state, the sheets 33 and 34 are deformed away from each other along direction T3, and remain connected at the folding lines 35 and 36. Preferably, the sheets 33 and 34 each include folding lines 38 and 39, each extending from the end 32 to the end 31 , along which the sheets 33 and 34 are folded in the expanded state, so that they can be tubular in the expanded state, whereas they were planar in the flat state. In the flat state, the folding lines 38 and 39 may be visible on the sheets 33 and 34, as the folding lines 38 and 39 may be pre-formed, for ensuring that the sheets 33 and 34 deform in a predetermined manner when the article 3 is deformed from the flat state to the expanded state. In the expanded state, each sheet 33 and 34 is not planar, and may have several portions which are individually planar, or almost planar, connected to each other by the lines 38 and 39, and inclined relative to each other, so that the concerned sheet 33 or 34 overall has a volumetric shape.

[0081] Alternatively or in addition to the folding at the folding lines 38 and 39, the sheets 33 and 34 may curve outwardly when deformed to the expanded state.

[0082] From the flat state to the expanded shape, the lateral folding lines 35 and 36 preferably rotate in a plane perpendicular to the direction T3 and including the main axis X3. From the flat state to the expanded shape, the folding lines 35 and 36 preferably rotate from their diverging orientation defined above and shown in figure 1 , to a less diverging orientation, or even to become parallel to each other, as shown in figure 2. Advantageously, the article 3 is deformed from the flat state to the expanded state, by insertion of the article 3 into the cavity 11 of the device 1. To that end, the folding lines 35 and 36 come in contact with lateral walls 17 and 18 of the cavity 11 and mechanically cooperate therewith during insertion of the article 3, where the folding lines 35 and 36 are pressed towards each other along the direction L3 by said lateral walls 17 and 18 as shown in figures 1 and 2. This pressing of the folding lines 35 and 36 rotate the folding lines 35 and 36 so as to make them converge to the position they have in the expanded state, so that the article 3 overall is deformed to the expanded state, by actuation of the folding lines 35 and 36 by the walls 17 and 18.

[0083] Alternatively or in addition, the user may deform the article 3 from the flat state to the expanded state manually, preferably by squeezing the folding lines 35 and 36 towards each other.

[0084] Preferably for this embodiment, the aerosol generating article 3 tends to elastically deform to the flat state, when in the expanded state. In this case, the aerosol generating article 3 may be maintained in the expanded state when coupled to the aerosol generating device 1 , here by the walls 17 and 18 of the cavity 11 . Thus, the article 3 may be deformed to the expanded state by the aerosol generating device 1 , when coupled to the aerosol generating device 1 , such as, during coupling with the aerosol generating device 1. When uncoupled after use, the aerosol generating article may advantageously deform back to the flat state and become compact again for disposal or recycling.

[0085] Alternatively, it may be provided that the aerosol generating article 3 tends to remain in the flat state, when in the flat state, and tends to remain in the expanded state, when in the expanded state, and is deformed from one state to the other by an action of the user or of the device 1 , for example by action on the folding lines 35 and 36 as described above.

[0086] Preferably, in use, the user may only inhale with the article 3 in the expanded state, and / or aerosol may only be generated with the article 3 in the expanded state.

[0087] Figure 3 shows an aerosol generating article 103 according to another embodiment of the invention. The article 103 is identical to the article 3, except for the following differences. In Figure 3, the aerosol generating article 103 is shown in the expanded state. Similar features of the article 103 compared to the article 3 bear the same name and their reference number is increased by 100. Similar features between the article 3 and 103 are explained only concerning their differences, but their similarities are not explained again for the article 103.

[0088] The article 103 comprises a mouthpiece 130 and a substrate portion 150. In contrast to article 3, the mouthpiece 130 and the substrate portion 150 are non-detachably coupled to each other. To that end, in contrast to the article 3 for which the substrate wrapper 53 and the mouthpiece 30 are separate, the article 103 preferably comprises a main wrapper 153 forming the mouthpiece 130, preferably entirely, otherwise a part thereof, and also wrapping a cooling portion 152 of the article 103, if provided, and an aerosol generating substrate 151 of the article 103. The main wrapper 153 preferably forms an aerosol channel 137 of the article 103 entirely, or otherwise forms only a part of it. In particular, the main wrapper 153 forms an upper sheet 133, a lower sheet 134 and two lateral folding lines 135 and 136 of the mouthpiece 130.

[0089] The main wrapper 153 is continuous from the mouthpiece 130 to the substrate portion 150, which preferably makes them inseparable without tearing the main wrapper 153. In other words, the mouthpiece 130 and the substrate portion 150 are coupled by the main wrapper 153 at a longitudinal end 132 of the mouthpiece 130. The main wrapper 153 is made of a sheet material, such as paper, cardboard or the like. The wrapper 153 preferably extends from a mouthpiece longitudinal end 131 , opposite to the end 132, to a substrate longitudinal end 154 of the article 103.

[0090] For the wrapper 153 to enclose the substrate 151 , the wrapper 153 defines a receiving volume 157, extending along the main axis X103 and receiving the substrate 151. The receiving volume 157 preferably corresponds to the shape of the substrate 151 , so that the substrate 151 is fixedly received in the wrapper 153. Preferably, the substrate 151 is distributed homogeneously in the volume 157, i.e. fills the volume 57 entirely.

[0091] The main wrapper 153 is preferably constituted of two assembled sheets, namely the upper sheet 133 and the lower sheet 134. In contrast to the sheets 33 and 34, the sheets 133 and 134 extend from the end 131 to the end 154 continuously. At the mouthpiece 130, the sheets 133 and 134 are connected to each other at the lateral folding lines 135 and 136. At the substrate portion 150, the sheets 133 and 134 are connected at lateral edges 159 and 160 of the substrate portion, extending respectively from the lines 135 and 136 and delimiting the substrate portion 150 between them in the lateral direction L103. In the expanded state, the sheets 133 and 134 are deformed away from each other along a transversal direction T103, and remain connected at the folding lines 135 and 136. Preferably, the sheets 133 and 134 each include folding lines 138 and 139 similar to the folding lines 38 and 39, each extending from the end 132 to the end 131 , along which the sheets 133 and 134 are folded in the expanded state.

[0092] The article 103 comprises a cooling portion 152, similar to the cooling portion 52 except that the cooling portion 152 includes several cooling channels 158, here three cooling channels 158, parallel to the main axis X103 and connecting the mouthpiece 130 to the substrate 151. The channels 158 promote cooling of the aerosol and making the flow of aerosol more laminar before reaching the mouthpiece 130.

[0093] The substrate 151 is not distributed homogenously in the receiving volume 157. Instead, several aerosol forming channels 162, here three channels 162, are delineated by the substrate 151 parallel to the main axis X103. The channels 162 promote a more efficient formation and flowing of the aerosol in the volume 157. Apart from the channels 162, the substrate 151 is preferably homogenously distributed in the receiving volume 157.

[0094] Figures 4 and 5 shows a mouthpiece 230 of an aerosol generating article 203 according to another embodiment of the invention. The article 203 is similar to the article 3, except for the following differences. In Figure 4, the mouthpiece 230 is shown in the flat state. In Figure 5, the mouthpiece 230 is shown in the expanded state. Similar features of the article 3 compared to the article 203 bear the same name and their reference number is increased by 200. Similar features between the article 3 and 203 are explained only concerning their differences, but their similarities are not explained again for the article 203.

[0095] The article 203 comprises a non-shown substrate portion, which is identical to the substrate portion 50, coupled at a longitudinal end 232 of the mouthpiece 230, in a similar manner than with the longitudinal end 32.

[0096] In contrast to mouthpiece 30, the mouthpiece 230 does not have folding lines comparable to the folding lines 38 and 39. Instead, in the expanded state, an upper sheet 233 and a lower sheet 234 of the mouthpiece 230 are curved outwardly without being folded, to delineate an aerosol channel 237 between them.

[0097] Alike the article 3, the article 203 tends to elastically deform back to the flat state when in the expanded state. In contrast to the mouthpiece 30, the mouthpiece 230 comprises locking means, located at a longitudinal end 231 of the article 203. The locking means, when engaged as shown in figure 5, are configured to enable a locking of the aerosol generating article 203 in the expanded state, for avoiding that the article 203 deforms back to the flat state by elasticity. The locking means may include a hook 240, for example formed by, or attached to, the lower sheet 234. The locking means may include a front flap 241 connected to the upper sheet 233. The front flap 241 is foldable relative to the upper sheet 233, between a disengaged position as shown in figure 4, and an engaged position as shown in figure 5. In the disengaged position, when the article 203 is in the flat state, the front flap 241 extends from the upper sheet 233 in a coplanar manner, preferably along the other sheet 234, so that the mouthpiece 230 is planar in the flat state. In the expanded state, the front flap 241 may be folded to the engaged position by the user. In the engaged position, the front flap 241 is engaged with the hooks 240, thereby locking the article 203 to the expanded state. In the engaged position, the front flap 241 is oriented towards the lower sheet 234, transversally relative to the main axis X203 and to the sheets 233 and 234. In the engaged position, the front flap 241 may partially obstruct the channel 237 at the end 231. To ensure that the channel 237 is open at the end 231 for the aerosol to reach the user’s mouth, the front flap 241 may have at least one notch 242 and / or or at least one through opening.

[0098] Figures 6 and 7 show an aerosol generating article 303 according to another embodiment of the invention, which may be used with the aerosol device 1 described above, or another aerosol device according to the invention, for forming an assembly according to the invention. The article 303 is based on the same principals than the article 3, except for the following differences. Similar features of the article 303 compared to the article 3 bear the same name and their reference number is increased by 300. Similar features between the article 3 and 303 are explained mostly concerning their differences, but their similarities are not explained again for the article 303.

[0099] The article 303 includes a mouthpiece 330 and a substrate portion 350, coupled to each other along a main axis X303. The substrate portion 350 includes an aerosol generating substrate 351.

[0100] Similarly to the previous embodiments, the aerosol generating article 303 is deformable between a flat state, not shown, where the mouthpiece 330 is planar along the axis X303, and an expanded state, shown in figures 6 and 7, where the mouthpiece 330 is expanded transversally relative to the main axis X303, so as to form an aerosol channel 337 which leads to the substrate portion 350. More precisely, this embodiment provides that, between the flat and expanded state, both the mouthpiece 330 and the substrate portion 350 are deformed, in contrast to other embodiments disclosed therein.

[0101] The article 303 defines a direction of insertion 0312 and an outward direction 0311 , opposite to each other and parallel to the axis X303.

[0102] For starting a vaping session, the user may insert the aerosol generating article 303 into the cavity of the aerosol generating device, so that the substrate portion 350 is received into the cavity. The article 303 may be inserted by being moved relative to the device along the direction of insertion 0312. When the substrate portion 350 is received in the cavity, the mouthpiece 330 preferably protrudes out from the cavity, in the outward direction 0311 , so that a mouth of the user may be positioned on the mouthpiece 330, for the user to inhale an aerosol generated at the substrate portion 350 through the mouthpiece 330. The aerosol generating substrate 351 is able to generate aerosol when it is heated by the heater of the aerosol generating device, when the substrate portion 350 is received in the cavity. At the end of the vaping session, such as, when the substrate 351 is depleted, the user may remove the article 303 from the cavity. The article 303 may be removed by pulling the article 303 in the outward direction 0311 relative to the device. Then the article 303 may be disposed of, such as recycled.

[0103] The article 303 further defines a lateral direction L303 and a transversal direction T303, perpendicular to the main axis X303 and to each other.

[0104] In the flat state, the substrate portion 350 is planar, i.e. is flat, along the main axis X303. In the flat state, the substrate portion 350 for example has an overall rectangular shape. The substrate portion 350 is the thinnest along direction T303, so as to be planar along to a plane perpendicular to the direction T303. Preferably, the maximum thickness of the substrate portion 350 along direction T303 does not exceed 2 mm, 1 mm or even 0,5 mm.

[0105] As shown in figure 6, the aerosol generating substrate 351 is arranged along the main axis X303, at a substrate longitudinal end 354 of the substrate portion 350, which is also a longitudinal end of the article 303 along the main axis X303. The end 354 is formed in direction 0312. The substrate 351 is in two parts 351A and 351 B, disposed symmetrically at either sides of the axis X303. Each part of 351 A and 351 B has individually an overall flat shape. In the flat state, the parts 351A and 351 B are coplanar to each other and to a plane parallel to the transversal direction T303. Each part 351 A and 351 B is preferably rectangular or trapezoidal. The substrate parts 351 A and 351 B may be the longest along the main axis X303, may be shorter along the lateral direction L303, and shortest in the transversal direction T303. Preferably, each substrate part 351 A and 351 B has a thickness, in the transversal direction T303, similar to the thickness defined above for the substrate 51.

[0106] The substrate portion 350 preferably comprises a cooling portion 352. The cooling portion 352 is formed along the main axis X303, between the mouthpiece 330 and the aerosol generating substrate 351. The cooling portion 352 ends at another longitudinal end 355 of the portion 350, along the main axis X303, opposite to the end 354. The end 355 is formed in direction 0311 . The cooling portion 352 ensures a fluid connection of the end 355 to the substrate 351 , so that aerosol may flow from the substrate 351 to the end 355 for reaching the mouthpiece 330 when the user inhales. Preferably, the cooling portion 52 is formed by a single channel, parallel to the main axis X303, connecting the end 355 to the substrate 351. The flowing of aerosol and / or of inlet air through the cooling portion 352 may enable to cool the aerosol before it reaches the user’s mouth.

[0107] The article 303 preferably comprises a main wrapper 353 forming the mouthpiece 330, preferably entirely, otherwise a part thereof, and also wrapping the cooling portion 352, and both parts 351 A and 351 B of the aerosol generating substrate 351. The main wrapper 353 is continuous from the mouthpiece 330 to the substrate portion 350, which preferably makes them inseparable without tearing the main wrapper 353. In other words, the mouthpiece 330 and the substrate portion 350 are coupled by the main wrapper 353 at the end 355. The mouthpiece 330 further forms a longitudinal end 331 in the direction 0311 , which constitutes the longitudinal end of the article 303, opposite to the end 354. The main wrapper 353 is made of a sheet material, such as paper, cardboard or the like. The wrapper 353 preferably extends from the mouthpiece longitudinal end 331 to the substrate longitudinal end 154.

[0108] For the wrapper 353 to enclose the substrate 351 at the substrate portion 350, the wrapper 353 defines two receiving volumes 357A and 357B, extending along the main axis X303, at either sides of said axis X303, and each receiving one of the substrate parts 351 A and 351 B. The receiving volumes 357 preferably correspond to the shape of the respective substrate parts 351 A and 351 B, so that the substrate parts are fixedly received in the wrapper 353. Preferably, the substrate parts 351 A and 351 B are distributed homogeneously in their respective receiving volume 357A and 357B.

[0109] Preferably, the main wrapper 353 comprises an upper sheet 333 and a lower sheet 334.

[0110] Preferably, the upper sheet 333 extends continuously from the end 331 to the end 354. The upper sheet 333 preferably comprises a flap 344A and a flap 344B connected by a central folding line 343 formed by the upper sheet 333 parallel to the main axis X303. The flaps 344A and 344B preferably extend from the end 331 to the end 354, at either sides of the axis X303.

[0111] At the substrate portion 350, the flap 344A carries the part 351A of the substrate 351 and the flap 344B carries the part 351 B of the substrate 351. Each flap 344A and 344B delineates the respective receiving volume 357A and 357B. The parts 351 A and 351 B are positioned at either sides of the central folding line 343.

[0112] Preferably, the flaps 344A and 344B also delineate the cooling portion 352.

[0113] Preferably, the flaps 344A and 344B also form part of the mouthpiece 330.

[0114] Preferably, as shown in figures 6 and 7, the first flap 344A and the second flap 344B are inclined relative to each other around the central folding line 343, when the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state. Thus, in the expanded state, the flaps 344A and 344B are arranged like the roof of a house along the axis X303.

[0115] Preferably, the first flap 344A, the second flap 344B and the central folding line 343 are coplanar, along a plane perpendicular to the direction T303, when the aerosol generating article 303 is in the flat state. Therefore, the upper sheet 333 as a whole is planar, perpendicular to the direction T303.

[0116] Preferably, the lower sheet 334 is attached to the upper sheet 333, under the upper sheet 333, and extends from the end 354 to the end 331 , or ends up between the end 331 and the end 355 in the direction 0311. At the substrate portion 350, the lower sheet 334 preferably includes lateral parts 345A and 345B that respectively delineate the volumes 357A and 357B, so that the parts 351 A and 351 B are positioned between the sheets 333 and 334 in the direction T303.

[0117] Preferably, the lateral parts 345A and 345B of the lower sheet 334 are parallel to the respective flaps 344A and 345A, in either states of the article 303.

[0118] Preferably, the lower sheet 334 delineates the cooling portion 352, formed between the sheets 333 and 334.

[0119] More precisely, when the article 303 is in the expanded state, a substrate central part 346 of the lower sheet 334 preferably delimits a substrate channel, extending from the end 354 to the end 355. In the expanded state, the substrate central part is preferably shaped as a channel along the axis X303. In the flat state, the substrate central part is preferably flatly superposed under the upper sheet 333. The substrate central part 346 is arranged along the axis X303. The substrate central part 346 is connected to the lateral parts 345A and 345B.

[0120] The substrate channel is also delimited by the upper sheet 333 along the folding line 343, so as to be formed between said folding line 343 and the substrate central part 346 of the lower sheet 334 when the article 303 is in the expanded state. At the substrate portion 350, the substrate channel is formed between the volumes 357A and 357B. At the substrate portion 350, the substrate channel is formed between the parts 351 A and 351 B. At the substrate portion 350, the substrate channel opens laterally into the volumes 357A and 357B.

[0121] In the expanded state, at the cooling portion 352, the substrate central part 346 preferably delimits a part of the substrate channel belonging to the cooling portion 352. At the end 355, the substrate channel opens into the mouthpiece 330. When the article 303 is in the flat state, the substrate channel is preferably flattened, as the substrate central part 346 is flatly superposed under the upper sheet 333.

[0122] Preferably, a front part of the lower sheet 334 also forms part of the mouthpiece 330. If the substrate central part 346 is provided, the front part of the lower sheet 334 is connected to it at the end 332. The front part of the lower sheet 334 and the upper sheet 333, i.e., the main wrapper 353, together form the mouthpiece 330. At the mouthpiece 330, the sheets 333 and 334 are attached to each other via two folding lines 335 and 336, which, in contrast to the folding lines 35 and 36, are lateral only for the lower sheet 334 but are connected to a central region of the upper sheet 333, i.e. not connected at the lateral edges of the upper sheet 333.

[0123] In the flat state, the upper sheet 333 and the lower sheet 334 are both planar and are flatly superposed.

[0124] In the expanded state, the upper sheet 333 and the lower sheet 334 are folded outwardly from each other parallel to the direction T303, so as to delineate the aerosol channel 337 between them and, in the direction L303, between the two folding lines 335 and 336. In the expanded state, the end 331 is open, and the aerosol channel 337 connects said end 331 to the substrate channel at the end 355, so that aerosol may flow from the substrate parts 351 A and 351 B to the mouth of the user, successively through the substrate channel of the substrate portion 350 and through the aerosol channel 337 of the mouthpiece 330.

[0125] Any feature described for one of the embodiments may be implemented in the other embodiments described above, as long as technically feasible.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol generating article (3; 103; 203; 303) for an aerosol generating device (1), the aerosol generating article comprising a mouthpiece (30; 130; 230; 330) and a substrate portion (50; 150; 350) comprising an aerosol generating substrate (51 ; 151 ; 351 A, 351 B), wherein the aerosol generating substrate is able to generate aerosol when it is heated by a heater (12) of the aerosol generating device (1), wherein the mouthpiece and the substrate portion are coupled to each other along a main axis (X3; X103; X203; X303) of the aerosol generating article, wherein the aerosol generating article is deformable between:- a flat state, where the mouthpiece is planar along the main axis; and- an expanded state, where the mouthpiece is expanded transversally relative to the main axis, so as form an aerosol channel (37; 137; 237; 337) which leads to the coupled substrate portion, wherein the mouthpiece (30; 130; 230) comprises an upper sheet (33; 133; 233), a lower sheet (34; 134; 234) and two lateral folding lines (35, 36; 135, 136), wherein the upper sheet and the lower sheet are attached to each other via the two lateral folding lines in either state of the aerosol generating article.

2. The aerosol generating article (3; 103; 203) according to claim 1 , wherein in the flat state, the upper sheet (33) and the lower sheet (34) are in contact with each other.

3. The aerosol generating article (3; 103; 203) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the upper sheet and the lower sheet are both planar and are flatly superposed when the aerosol generating article is in the flat state.

4. The aerosol generating article (3; 103; 203) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper sheet (33; 133; 233) and the lower sheet (34; 134; 234) are folded or curved so as to delineate the aerosol channel (37; 137; 237) between them and between the two lateral folding lines (35, 36; 135, 136), when the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state.

5. The aerosol generating article (3; 103; 203; 303) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate portion (50; 150; 350) defines a receiving volume (57; 157; 357A, 357B) extending along the main axis (X3; X103; X203; X303) and receiving the aerosol generating substrate (51 ; 151 ; 351 A, 351 B).

6. The aerosol generating article (3; 203; 303) according to claim 5, wherein the aerosol generating substrate (51 ; 151 ; 351 A, 351 B) is distributed homogeneously within the receiving volume (57; 357A, 357B).

7. The aerosol generating article (103; 303) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, comprising a main wrapper (153; 353) forming at least a part of the aerosol channel (137; 237) of the mouthpiece (130; 330) when the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state, wherein the main wrapper also wraps the aerosol generating substrate (151 ; 351 A, 351 B) for forming the substrate portion (150; 350) therewith and thereby defines the receiving volume, wherein the mouthpiece is non-detachably coupled to the substrate portion by the main wrapper.

8. The aerosol generating article (3; 203) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the substrate portion (50) comprises a substrate wrapper (53), wherein the substrate wrapper is separate from the mouthpiece (30; 230).

9. The aerosol generating article (3; 203) according to claim 8, wherein the mouthpiece (30; 230) is detachably coupled to the substrate portion (50), and wherein the substrate wrapper (53) defines the receiving volume (57) by wrapping the aerosol generating substrate (51).

10. The aerosol generating article (3; 203) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the mouthpiece (30; 230) comprises a female connector end (32) that receives a male connector end (55) of the substrate portion (50) when the mouthpiece and the substrate portion are coupled to each other.

11. The aerosol generating article (3; 103; 203; 303) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate portion (50; 150; 350) is also planar when the aerosol generating article is in the flat state, so that the mouthpiece (30; 130; 230; 330) and the substrate portion are coplanar when the aerosol generating article is in the flat state.

12. The aerosol generating article (3; 103; 203) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate portion (50; 150) is planar when the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state.

13. The aerosol generating article (303) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein both the mouthpiece (330) and the substrate portion (350) are deformed when the aerosol generating article is deformed between the flat state and the expanded state.

14. The aerosol generating article (303) according to claim 13, wherein the aerosol generating article comprises a central folding line (343) parallel to the main axis (X303), wherein the aerosol generating article comprises a first flap (344A), carrying a first part (351 A) of the aerosol generating substrate (351 A, 351 B) and a second flap (344B) carrying a second part (351 B) of the aerosol generating substrate, wherein the first flap, the second flap and the central folding line are coplanar when the aerosol generating article is in the flat state and wherein the first flap and the second flap are inclined relative to each other around the central folding line when the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state.

15. The aerosol generating article (203) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mouthpiece (230) comprises locking means (240; 241) for locking the aerosol generating article in the expanded state, when the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state.

16. An assembly, comprising: an aerosol generating article (3; 103; 203; 303) according to any one of the preceding claims; and an aerosol generating device (1), comprising: o a cavity (11) for receiving the substrate portion (50; 150; 350) of the aerosol generating article, and o a heater (12), for heating the substrate portion for generating aerosol when the substrate portion is received in the cavity and the aerosol generating article is in the expanded state.

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