Portionized aerosol generating consumable and device

Abstract

A tobacco consumable (1) for generating an aerosol comprising a carrier (10), a plurality of first individual portions (11) of an energy release medium, the first portions (11) being arranged with said carrier (10), and a plurality of second individual portions (12) of an aerosol release medium comprising at least one tobacco-based component, wherein each one of the second individual portions (12) is arranged on said carrier (10) in a respective vicinity of one of said first individual portions (11).

Description

[0001] PORTIONIZED AEROSOL GENERATING CONSUMABLE AND DEVICE

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to portioned consumables for aerosol generation in the context of handheld aerosol generating devices . In specific embodiments , the present invention relates to tobacco based electronic cigarettes and related types of handheld aerosol generating devices .

[0004] Technological background

[0005] Electronic aerosol generating devices have experienced broad market acceptance and penetration in recent times . Specifically, electronic approaches have changed the use patterns of consumers from smoking classical tobacco articles , such as cigarettes in which tobacco is burnt for producing an aerosol , toward more modern devices that generate vapour from heating tobacco material and / or other aerosol release media such as liquids . The latter modern devices usually employ some kind of electric heater for vapori zing the aerosol precursor for a user to inhale the resulting aerosol-flavour-air mixture . Such devices are mostly battery powered, wherein a battery provides for the electric energy to heat the respective flavour release medium . The batteries may be rechargeable or replaceable , but there also solutions in which the battery is assumed to be disposed of with the device once the supply of aerosol release medium is depleted . The mentioned electric heaters can include not only resistive heaters , but also inductive heaters that heat a susceptor by means of an alternating magnetic field . In the mentioned devices , the energy needed for heating the flavour release medium and, in turn, generating the respective aerosol for inhalation, comes from an electric power storage in the form of a battery . Although most current devices employ rechargeable batteries , the use of such secondary type batteries (e . g . lithium ion type and types based on related chemistries ) are a substantial cost and resource factor . In addition, the so operated devices need to be recharged regularly and also require specific handling during disposal . Especially the latter require at least in some j urisdictions the return of used devices to particular collection points as a simple disposal over regular waste channels is at least not recommendable .

[0006] At the same time , portable and handheld aerosol generating devices employ a replaceable consumable so as to provide for and safely handle the flavour release medium . Therefore , the provision of the flavour release medium in the form of a replaceable consumable , e . g . as sticks , cartridges or so-called "pods" , is already established practice . In case the devices are powered by a rechargeable battery, the recharging of the battery comes therefor on top of replacing the consumable as a regular maintenance routine during use . Amongst others , the mentioned aspects have already led to aerosol generating devices in which the flavour release medium is provided together with portions of a medium that can release thermal energy by employing for example an exothermal reaction .

[0007] However, such conventional approaches still suffer in various aspects including - mentioning only a few - usability, safety, reliability and user experience . As regards especially the latter, it is noted that the recent advance in electronic smoking replacement articles made users expect a high level of taste and enj oyment experience . There is therefore a need for improved concepts for portioned aerosol generating consumables and the related devices .

[0008] Summary The mentioned problems and drawbacks are addressed by the subj ect-matter of the independent claims . Further preferred embodiments of the present inventio are defined in the dependent claims .

[0009] Accordingly, there is provided a tobacco consumable for generating an aerosol comprising a carrier ; a plurality of first individual portions of an energy release medium, the first portions being arranged with said carrier ; and a plurality of second individual portions of an aerosol release medium comprising at least one tobacco-based component , wherein each one of the second individual portions is arranged with said carrier in a respective vicinity of one of said first individual portions .

[0010] Brief description of the drawings

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention, which are presented for better understanding of the inventive concepts , but which are not to be seen as limiting the invention, will now be described with reference to the figures in which :

[0012] Figures 1A to 1C show schematic perspective views of tobacco consumables according to general embodiments of the present invention ;

[0013] Figures 2A to 2E show schematic views of arrangements of the first and second portions relative to each other in tobacco consumables according to more specific embodiments of the present invention ;

[0014] Figures 3A to 3C show schematic views of arrangements of the first portions including separators to initially separate one or more reactants from each other according to more specific embodiments of the present invention ; Figures 4A and 4B show schematic views of arrangements with a sliding seal or separator to initially separate one or more reactants from each other or the ambient air according to more specific embodiments of the present invention ;

[0015] Figures 5A and 5B show schematic views of arrangements with a substantially flat carrier according to more specific embodiments of the present invention ;

[0016] Figures 6A to 6C show schematic views of arrangements that consider a plurality of individual heaters for initiating an exothermic reaction according to a more specific embodiment of the present invention ; and

[0017] Figure 7 shows a schematic view of a stand-alone disposable consumable for generating an aerosol according to an embodiment of the present invention .

[0018] Detailed description

[0019] Figures 1A to 1C show schematic perspective views of tobacco consumables according to general embodiments of the present invention . The consumables 1 , 1 ' , 1" are specifically shown as a tobacco consumable for generating an aerosol , such as an electronic cigarette , electronic tobacco vaper or other form of a tobacco aerosol generating device used by a consumer to inhale a tobacco-based aerosol . The shown consumables differ in the principal form of the carriers in that consumable 1 comprises a strip-like carrier 1 as shown in Fig . 1A, consumable 1 ' comprises a card-like carrier 10 as shown in Fig . IB, and consumable 1" comprises a disk-like carrier 10 as shown in Fig . 1C . The actual shape can further vary but is in every case chosen primarily to interact most efficiently with a corresponding tobacco aerosol generating device as described elsewhere in the present disclosure as respective individual embodiments of the present invention . The shown carriers can comprise perforation 130 at suitable position ( s ) so as to allow for feeding a next portion to a position for use .

[0020] The further features are identical or equivalent and are mentioned or described with same reference numerals in all Figures . That is , the consumable 1 , 1 ' , 1" comprises a plurality of first individual portions 11 of an energy release medium, wherein these first portions 11 are arranged with the respective carrier . The first portions 11 can in this way arranged on, in, within or inside the carrier 1 , 1 ' , 1" which is described at least for some variants in greater detail elsewhere in the present disclosure . The consumable 1 , 1 ' , 1" further comprises a plurality of second individual portions 12 of an aerosol release medium, which, in turn, comprises at least one tobaccobased component . Namely, the aerosol release medium can comprise any one of tobacco, a tobacco material , processed tobacco, a tobacco-based flavour release or vapour release substance .

[0021] Each one of the second individual portions 12 is arranged on said carrier 1 , 1 ' , 1" in a respective vicinity of one of said first individual portions 11 . Generally, the respective portions are arranged so that release of energy of one of said first individual portions 11 yields release of aerosol from the one second individual portion 12 being arranged in the vicinity of the one first individual portion 11 .

[0022] Figures 2A to 2E show schematic views of arrangements of the first and second portions relative to each other in tobacco consumables according to more specific embodiments of the present invention . As shown in Figure 2A, a first individual portion 11 and a second individual portion 12 can be arranged on opposing sides of the carrier 10 . This can provide for the advantage that an environment 110 of the first portion 11 can be separated by the carrier 10 , and preferably also by a section 100 of the carrier 10 , from an environment 120 of the first portion 12 . In this way, separate fluid domains can be obtained so that the aerosol generated from portion 12 does not mix with any reaction products originating from portion 11 . The section 100 can be in the form of j ust a part of the carrier 10 or can be made of or comprise a different material configuration as compared to elsewhere in the carrier 10 . For example , the section 100 may comprise a heat conducting but relatively robust material such as a metal . This can be , for example , in the form of sheet- aluminum, -copper, -brass , -bronze , or a carbon, ceramic or glass fibre fabric . Further insets of glass , mica or related materials can form at least part of section 100 .

[0023] As shown in Figure 2B, each one of said first individual portions 11 can be arranged in a shell like configuration with the respective one of said second individual portions 12 . As shown, it may be preferable to mould a second portion 12 in a nest-like first portion 11 . This can provide for the advantage that the heat generated by the energy release medium of the first portion 11 is concentrated toward the second portion 12 so as to efficiently release the aerosol from the second portion 12 . A separator 101 may be provided between the first and the second portion so as to achieve the identical or equivalent functions as section 100 described in conj unction with Figure 2A . In such a configuration, the carrier 10 may provide for cavities at the site of the nested portions (as shown) or may well be flat since no special carrier features are necessary for any nested arrangement . As a further embodiment , Fig . 2C shows a cross section of such a case for a substantially flat carrier 10 on which a ring-shaped portion 11 encircles a more or less cantered portion 12 or vice versa . Similarly, Fig . 2D shows a cross section of a further case for a substantially flat carrier 10 on which first and second portions are located adj acent to each other .

[0024] Figure 2E shows a schematic view of a general arrangement of the first and second portions relative to each other in tobacco consumables according to embodiments of the present invention . As such, first sections 11 and second sections 12 are arranged with the carrier 10 , wherein each one of the second individual portions 12 can be arranged closer to one of the first individual portions 11 than to the remaining ones of said first individual portions 11 . As shown, the first portion 11 -1 is arranged closer to the second portion 12 -2 as is the first portion 11 -2 . More specifically, such a general arrangement may consider a distance d, which specifies a region in which heat energy released from the first portion 11 -1 triggers release of aerosol from a corresponding second portion 12 -1 , while generally no aerosol is released from a second portion 12 -2 which is outside a region defined by d .

[0025] Generally, the energy release medium can be arranged to release thermal energy by means of an exothermic chemical reaction . This may include a chemical reaction between two or more reactants by releasing thermal energy in the form of heat . An exothermic chemical reaction may also start from one compound that decays into two or more reaction products by releasing thermal energy in the form of heat . Both type of reactions can be triggered by a precursor reaction and / or by physical interaction in the form of supplying a trigger energy by mechanical shock, pressure , heat , light or the like . Whilst many exothermic reactions generate heat , not all reactions may be suitable or provide sufficient energy . For example , energy may be required in the range of or up to 100 J when considering a portion of the aerosol release medium with an exemplary mass of approx . 25 mg .

[0026] For example , the energy release medium may comprise at least one reducing agent , which may release thermal energy by means of a chemical reaction with ambient air . This may take advantage of reactants already present in the environment , such as oxygen, water (moisture ) , nitrogen, and the like . Likewise , the energy release medium may also comprise at least one reducing agent and at least one an oxidi zing agent . Some suitable reactions can be described as follows , which may well form the basis for respective embodiments for the first individual portions of the energy release medium . The estimates follow the known amount of energy for each reaction and the accordingly required mass and / or volume of the respective reactants:

[0027] Reaction Mass p / r Volume p / r

[0028] MgO + 81.02 MgO: 63.27 MgO: 18.9

[0029] H2O: 28.28 H2O: 28.28

[0030] CaO + 63.7 CaO: 88 CaO: 24.6

[0031] H2O: 28.28 H2O: 28.28

[0032] 4Fe + 3O2 1648 Fe : 13.5 Fe : 1.74

[0033] In the above table "AH" denotes the enthalpy of reaction in kJ / mol, "Mass p / r" denotes the reactant mass of reactant per puff in milligrams (mg) , and "Volume p / r" the volume of reactant in cubic millimeters (mm^) .

[0034] In some embodiments, an implementation of the above reaction 4Fe + 302 2Fe2O3may be preferred as it requires a relatively low mass. However, the above water-activated reactions may offer valuable alternatives with some preference of the magnesium oxide (MgO) reaction. Further, magnesium oxide may be preferred over Calcium Oxide as it is non-toxic and has usually a lower cost. There may be other chemicals, reactants, catalysts, and / or additives for increasing the rate, speed or efficiency of the reaction e.g. in the form of saline solution (s) . An increased reaction rate may allow for accordingly higher temperatures which are preferably over 250 °C, which may in turn provide for an enhanced inhalation experience. Specifically, the amount of energy release medium in one first individual portion generally determines the amount of energy to be released upon activation. Further, the reaction rate generally determines the obtained temperature, as the release of some amount of energy in a relatively shorter time yields a relatively higher temperature (a catalyst may be employed to increase the reaction rate so as to obtain the desired temperature) . Preferably, the temperature of then reaction reaches 250°C which has proven to be a suitable temperature to heat tobacco. If the temperature is too low, then there may not be enough vapour and aerosol generated which may result in an unsatisfactory taste experience .

[0035] Further, additives or other compounds may be included in the energy release medium that may be provided for controlling and / or tuning how the reaction evolves and heat is generated . Such compounds may include activated charcoal to act as a heat conductor and vermiculite to prevent heat from dissipating too much . Generally, such energy release media are designed so that the resulting exothermic energy provides all of the energy required for the aerosol release medium to produce sufficient and sufficiently fast the aerosol to be inhaled . However, the energy release medium may be coupled with an additional mechanism that provides additional energy for the aerosol releasing process .

[0036] Figures 3A to 3C show schematic views of arrangements of the first portions including separators to initially separate one or more reactants from each other according to more specific embodiments of the present invention . Generally, in such embodiments the energy release medium may comprise a separator arranged to separate at least one of an amount of said reducing agent and / or an amount of said oxidi zing agent . In case the energy release medium is to react with the environment ( i . e . ambient air) , the separator of the energy release medium may at least in part capsule the energy release medium and may actually form part of the carrier or any other suitable component of the tobacco consumable . In some embodiments , the tobacco consumable may further comprise a separator sheet that is arranged to separate the reducing and oxidi zing agent of said first individual portions .

[0037] As also shown in Figures 3A and 3B , the components and reactants of the energy release medium may be separated into two compositions 111 , 112 which are both capsuled into a common portion but are separated by the separator sheet 20 that divides the portion capsule essentially into two volumes . The separator sheet 20 may also be provided in the form of a pocket 200 for containing all of a composition 111 of the reactants . For example , a portion of water is capsuled inside a pocket made of the separator sheet , wherein the so capsuled water as one reactant can be arranged inside the composition of the other reactant ( s ) .

[0038] Generally, the separator may be in the form of a seal or a portion that is arranged to separate any reducing agent from any oxidi zing agent in an initial state and which is arranged to allow mixing of the reducing and oxidi zing agents in a ruptured state . Further, each one of said first individual portions can comprise an element arranged to rupture said seal upon application of pressure . As shown in Figure 3C, a first portion

[0039] I I is arranged with a carrier 10 and holds a first composition

[0040] I I I of one or more reactants and a second composition 112 of one or more further reactants which are separated by a seal / separator sheet 20 . In the figure the two options of Figures 3A and 3B are combined and the pocket variant i s shown in the right part of the Figure . One or more elements 30 are arranged to rupture the seal 20 upon application of pressure . For example , a needle - or generally sharp feature - will rupture the seal 20 when the latter is moved relatively toward the needle 30 . The two compositions 111 and 112 thus mix and the exothermic chemical reaction releases the energy for releasing the aerosol . It is noted that the rupture elements 30 may also be arranged to rupture a seal toward the environment so that a single reactant or single composition as part of the first portion 11 can interact with the ambient air so as to release the energy .

[0041] Figure 4A shows a schematic view of an arrangement with a sliding seal or separator to initially separate one or more reactants from ambient air according to a more specific embodiment of the present invention . Specifically, the energy release medium is coupled with a separator that is arranged to separate one or more reactants from the environment so that any interaction with ambient air is substantially suppressed . For example and as shown in Figure 4A, a cylindrical carrier 10 may be provided for carrying a plurality of first portions 11 on an inner side 101 and a plurality of second portions 12 on an outer side 102 . A separator sheet 21 , for example in a corresponding cylindrical configuration, is arranged slidingly relative to the carrier 10 so as to expose gradually a first portion 11 to ambient air at the edge or at an orifice 21 once it is moved axially and / or rotated .

[0042] In one exemplary embodiment , which is explained as a specific example to some greater detail , the exothermic reaction may be driven by iron ( Fe ) and oxygen (O2 ) , such as 4Fe + 302 2Fe20a . In such an implementation, the iron ( Fe ) can be located side 101 of the cylindrical carrier 10 so to be initially sealed from the ambient air with by the plug 21 acting as a separator . On the other side 102 of the carrier 10 there are arranged the second portions 12 of the aerosol release medium, e . g . in the form of a tobacco or tobacco material portion which is in thermal communication through the sheet separator . The cover plug 21 over the Fe portions can be moved and is designed so that when it is moved, the Fe becomes exposed to the atmosphere . The oxygen in the atmosphere reacts with the Fe to create heat which is conducted through the carrier 10 to heat the tobacco and create the aerosol and vapour . The tobacco can be in discrete portions along the carrier preferably aligned with the Fe portions on the other side . The movable layer / plug can then expose a new Fe portion between each movement allowing heating of each tobacco portion in turn .

[0043] The configuration shown in Figure 4A is thus an embodiment for demonstrating how a consumable can be arranged in a circular / cylindrical shape with suction from one end . However, it is also envisaged to have the consumable arranged still substantially circular but with a polygon cross-section so that the portions can be arranged along the individual faces . Yet further, the consumable and carrier could be substantially flat , e . g . in a strip- , tape- or card like configuration which is certainly compatible with the embodiment of having a sliding / moving cover . Further and in order to help keep the aerosol release medium, e . g . in the form of or comprising tobacco, fresh and the reactant (e . g . Fe ) free from ambient air and oxygen, the consumables may have an aluminium or silicon liner which is removable before the consumable is used . Figure 4B shows a schematic view of an arrangement with a sliding seal or separator to initially separate one or more reactants from each other according to a more specific embodiment of the present invention . This embodiment is described with an exemplary set of reactants in the form of MgO and H2 O . Naturally, this embodiment can also apply to further combinations of reactants or compositions thereof . As shown in Figure 4B, the carrier 10 provides for a movable or sliding seal 200 , which can be made from a non-permeable layer with one or more perforations or orifices 201 in it . The first portions 11 of the energy release medium are arranged so that the two reactants 11 -2 , 11 - 2 (here MgO on one side , and H2O on the other side ) are separated by the sliding seal 200 . A second portion 12 of aerosol release medium is arranged adj acent to the respective first portion so as to ensure the transfer of heat when the first portion releases the energy which results in the second portion 12 to release the aerosol .

[0044] The sliding seal 201 may be provided with a tag 202 that extends outside of the consumable ' s exterior so it can be manually accessed by a user when the consumable is inserted inside the corresponding aerosol generating device . By means of the user' s action, the tag 202 can be pulled ( see arrow) which moves the sliding seal 200 effectively between the portions of MgO and H2O that are , as such, held in respective reservoirs sealed from each other by the sliding seal 200 . When the seal 200 is moved far enough, the perforation 201 enters an area between the two reactants of one first portion 11 and accordingly allows for the mixing of the MgO and H2O, which generates heat . This heat then interacts with the tobacco or other related flavour release medium so as to produce the aerosol and / or vapour . The user may shake the consumable to encourage the exchange of reactants and to increase the reaction speed, thus creating a higher temperature .

[0045] Figure 5A shows a schematic view of arrangements with a substantially flat carrier according to more specific embodiments of the present invention . The shown carrier 10 may be provided, for example , as a sheet made of ceramic, aluminium, steel or polyamide with preferably a melting point over 300 ° C . Within the carrier 10 there are provided a plurality of holes 103 over which second portion 12 of an aerosol release medium i s placed, e . g . in the form of a dome of tobacco . On the far side 102 of the carrier 10 there is arranged a corresponding plurality (array) of first portions 11 , e . g . containing MgO capsules each filled with water . The capsule can be arranged so that the water is on the inside and separated from the MgO by a frangible seal ( see also disclosure rendered in conj unction with Figures 3A to 30) . The MgO can be arranged on the outer layer of the capsule and held in place with a flexible barrier such as silicon .

[0046] A user can exert pressure onto the first portion by, for example , pushing inwards on the outside of the capsule , so that the applied pressure breaks the frangible seal . This allows the MgO to mix with the H2O and create heat . This heat is transferred to the second portion (e . g . tobacco portion) on the other side 101 of the carrier 10 as in thermal coupling . There may be provided a barrier 100 made from a material such as aluminium ( see inset ) . The user can repeat this process to activate each portion when taking a puff . Again, a sharp feature could be on the inside of the capsule to help with breaking the frangible seal when pushed . It is also possible to arrange two reactant compositions , e . g . MgO and H2O, on the opposite sides of the seal . The carrier 10 is shown here as a substantially flat card-like sheet . However, any flat sheet can also be rolled for storage . In any way, the corresponding consumable can then be slid into the user device which may provide the airflow channel over the aerosol release portion of the consumable allowing the user to inhale the generated aerosol and / or vapour .

[0047] Figure 5B shows a schematic view of a related stand-alone disposable consumable for generating an aerosol according to an embodiment of the present invention . The shown tobacco consumable can be configured according to the one described in conj unction with Fig . 5A and further comprises a flowpath 40 configured to mix a generated aerosol from one of said second individual portions 12 with ambient air A and a mouthpiece 41 that is configured to provide the aerosol-air-mix toward a user for inhalation . The flowpath 40 may be provided by the carrier 10 and an additional enclosure 411 . The stand-alone consumable as shown may further comprise a mechanism that is configured to activate one of said first individual portions 11 so that it releases energy, which in turn releases aerosol from a corresponding second portion 12 . The mechanism may be in the form of the portions 11 being activated by means of applying pressure . For example , a user may press onto an individual portion 11 so as to initiate an exothermic reaction ( see e . g . description in conj unction with Fig . 3C) . It is noted that a similar stand-alone consumable may be obtained by employing the sliding seal mechanism as described in conj unction with Figure 4B .

[0048] Figures 6A to 6C show schematic views of arrangements that consider a plurality of individual heaters for initiating an exothermic reaction according to a more specific embodiment of the present invention . More specifically, Figure 6A shows a tobacco consumable 1 being arranged to interact with one or more heaters that initiate heat being generated from a first portion of an energy release medium . Specifically, the consumable 1 may comprise a carrier 10 with a plurality of first portions 11 and a plurality of second portions 12 as described elsewhere in the present disclosure . Each one of said second portions 12 is arranged in the vicinity of a corresponding first portion 11 so that aerosol is released from the second portion 12 once energy is released form the first portion 11 . As shown, a second portion 12 is arranged adj acent to a corresponding first portion 11 and may be separated from that by means of a barrier 100 that allows for heat exchange but effectively blocks any reactants and / or reaction products from the first portion 11 to intermix with the aerosol generated by the second portion 12 . For example , the barrier 100 can be made from a metal (e . g . aluminum) or another heat resistive but conducting material (e . g . ceramic) .

[0049] In this embodiment the consumable 1 is arranged to interact with one or more heaters by means of a corresponding interaction surface 113 of each first portion 11 . For example , this interaction surface 113 may be provided on a surface 102 of the carrier as a substantially flat surface . This may allow an individual heater to establish efficient heat conduction to transfer the initiation heat - in some sense an ignition heat - so that heat is generated from the respective first portion 11 of energy release medium . The interactions surface 113 may further comprise surface features that fit corresponding surface features of the heater and which may increase the interaction area and / or facilitate alignment between the heater and the f irst portion to ignite . For example , such features may comprise one or more concentric rings such as shown by option ( 113-1 ) in Figure 6A .

[0050] In the previously described embodiment the tobacco consumable was arranged to interact with one or more heaters as they may form part of the aerosol generating device as a form of a user device . Now, Figure 6B shows a tobacco consumable 1 that comprises a plurality of individual heaters 13 , wherein each one of the individual heaters 13 is arranged with the carrier 1 in a respective further vicinity of one of said first individual portions 11 , and wherein activation of one of the individual heaters 13 yields release of energy of the one of said first individual portions 11 . A heater 13 may be in heat contact with the corresponding first portion 11 or may be embedded in the first portion 11 so as to exert initiation / ignition heat and energy from a reliable and preferably central position .

[0051] Each heater 13 may be driven via one or two contact pads 14 exposed toward an accessible face of the consumable 1 such as the shown surface 102 . Each heater can be contacted and driven by individual electrodes or the heaters 13 of the consumable 1 or a group thereof may share one or more common electrode . For example , two-terminal heaters may share one electrode , e . g . a common ground or first potential electrode , while each individual heater can be addressed and driven by then applying an electrical voltage only to a specific one of the remaining terminals . The common electrode may be accessed via a ground plate on surface 102 (having preferably openings for the individual second electrodes ) or from the top surface 101 of the carrier 10 . Generally, an individual heater 13 can comprise any one of an electrically resistive element , a piece of a resistive conductor, a piece of a nickel chromium conductor, a susceptor arranged to be heated by means of induction, and a heating element arranged to be heated by means of absorbing radiation . As a consequence , the actual ignition physics is not limited to the resistive examples as chosen for describing the more general aspects of Figures 6A and 6B .

[0052] Figure 6C shows a schematic view of an aerosol generating device that is configured to interact with a tobacco consumable by means of one or more heaters that initiate heat being generated from a first portion of an energy release medium . In such an embodiment , an aerosol generating device 2 is generally configured to receive a consumable 1 as shown . The aerosol generating device 2 may comprise for this purpose a bay for receiving a positioning a consumable 1 with the help of , for example , guiding grooves , rails , stoppers , etc . The aerosol generating device 2 generally provides for an air flow path 40 that can carry any generated aerosol toward a proximal end 41 so that a user can inhale the respective aerosol / vapour / air melange . As shown, a second portion can release the aerosol into the air flow path 40 as the carrier can be exposed to the path with its surface toward which a second portion releases its aerosol .

[0053] In case the individual heater 13 form part of the device 2 , an such heaters 13 may be arranged in an array wherein each heater

[0054] 13 can be provided with a protruding portion so as to thermally engage with the relevant parts or sections of an inserted consumable 1 , for example , by establishing a heat contact area with an interaction surface 113 of a respective consumable . On the other hand, and as applicable for the alternative embodiments of the consumable as described in conj unction with Figure 6B, the device 2 may comprise an array of contact terminals that establish an establishing an electric contact the contact pads

[0055] 14 exposed toward the face of the consumable that is accessible to the device 2 . For this purpose, each heater terminal can be provided with a protruding portion so as to electrically engage with the relevant parts or sections of an inserted consumable 1 . In any way, any protrusions mentioned can be implemented by means of spring-loaded metal parts that comprise a metal or an alloy optimi zed for any one of electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, or resilience and may thus comprise any one of copper, tin, zinc, bronze , brass , gold, silver and the like .

[0056] The aerosol generating device 2 according to the present general device embodiment may also comprise a control circuit 16 and a power source 17 , the latter e . g . in the form of rechargeable lithium ion or polymer or a secondary battery . It is noted, however, that the electric energy required for the present embodiments may be drastically reduced in comparison to conventional aerosol generating devices that provide the heat and thermal energy for generating the aerosol or vapour from electricity by employing electrical energy stored in a ( larger) battery that needs to be comparatively more often recharged and / or replaced . As the present embodiments provide the heat for aerosol generation from dedicated energy release media ( first portions 11 ) , the electrical power available in a device 2 need to only feed general control , initiating reactions and / or other secondary design and usability features . Therefore , the power source 17 may be substantially decreased in capacity, si ze , cost and maintenance . For example a replaceable coin cell (e . g . LR44 , CR2016 , CR2035 , CR2032 , etc . ) may be employed or even energy harvesting techniques such as solar cells , RF energy harvesting and the like may be employed . The controller circuit 16 may comprise any one of a microcontroller, voltage / current converters and regulators , sensors , LEDs , switches , MOS-FETs and other suitable components .

[0057] Such embodiments may thus effectively provide a mode and concept of activating a reaction to vaporise water by means of trigger heater . In such a case , any sheet holding the consumable may no longer require holes but can provide for an array of nichrome wire heaters . On top of each heater there may be arranged a capsule of MgO and H2O which can be separated from a tobacco layer above the nichrome wire heater below by means of an aluminium layer . It is also possible that the aluminium layer between the heater and the capsule may not be required . When the user activates the device , the heater is energised, heating the water to at least 60 ° C but more preferably to above 90 ° C . The hot water then breaks a temperature-sensitive seal which could be made of a material such as PLA and the water mixes with the MgO . This then triggers the second reaction where the heat is generated to warm the tobacco and create the vapour . Assuming the nichrome water heats the water with 100 % efficiency, it can be estimated that a 100 mAh battery would have enough power to trigger 20 reactions . Due to the small si ze of the battery, it could be single use as Zinc-air . The battery would be provided with the device to power the consumable array . The nichrome wire heater could be part of the consumable as described or alternatively fixed to the device with the array of tobacco portions inserted over the top .

[0058] Figure 7 shows a schematic view of a stand-alone disposable consumable for generating an aerosol according to an embodiment of the present invention . The shown tobacco consumable 1 can be configured according to any one of the so far described variants and may further comprise a flowpath 40 configured to mix a generated aerosol from one of said second individual portions 12 with ambient air A and a mouthpiece 41 that is configured to provide the aerosol-air-mix toward a user for inhalation . The stand-alone consumable 1 as shown may further comprise a mechanism 50 that is configured to activate one of said first individual portions 11 so that it releases energy, which in turn releases aerosol from a corresponding second portion 12 . The mechanism 50 may comprise a guided separator 21 which gradually exposes one or more first portion ( s ) 11 to ambient air so as to initiate the exothermal reaction, or may otherwise initiate that reaction for releasing energy . The separator 21 may be guided by said mechanism 50 for example by means of a latch and / or ratchet so as to activate one first portion after another .

[0059] A general method embodiment of the present invention may be provided for manufacturing a consumable as mentioned and described in conj unction with the present disclosure and could employ a layered production within a press . Accordingly, tobacco or another aerosol release medium could be on the first layer . Preferably, a granulated substrate moulded into the required shape in a first press . Said granulated substrate may be obtained, for example , from a crumbed tobacco substrate , CTS , recipe compiling any one of tobacco particles , an inhalable agent , a stimulant , a flavour, a gelling agent , a degradation preventing stabili zer, a thickening stabili zer, and a humectant . A liner may then be applied on top of the so formed second portions before a reactant such as MgO or Fe is applied and pressed into shape again . Subsequently, a next liner may be applied before another reactant such as water is applied . A further sealant , carrier or rigid support may complete the process in order to provide a consumable with a carrier as described in conj unction with the embodiments of the present disclosure . It is noted that the entire consumable can be manufactured by a single press or in subsequent stages .

[0060] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above , it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example , not limitation . It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art ( s ) that various changes in form and detail can be made therein . Thus , the above-described exemplary embodiments are not limiting .

Claims

Claims :1 . A tobacco consumable for generating an aerosol comprising : a carrier ; a plurality of first individual portions of an energy release medium, the first portions being arranged with said carrier ; a plurality of second individual portions of an aerosol release medium comprising at least one tobacco-based component , wherein each one of the second individual portions is arranged with said carrier in a respective vicinity of one of said first individual portions .2 . The tobacco consumable according to claim 1 , wherein release of energy of one of said first individual portions yields release of aerosol from the one second individual portion being arranged in the vicinity of the one first individual portion .3 . The tobacco consumable according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein each one of said second individual portions is arranged closer to one of said first individual portions than to the remaining ones of said first individual portions .4 . The tobacco consumable according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein said energy release medium is arranged to release thermal energy by means of an exothermic chemical reaction .5 . The tobacco consumable according to claim 4 , wherein the energy release medium comprises a reducing agent , preferably releasing thermal energy by means of a chemical reaction with ambient air .6 . The tobacco consumable according to claim 4 , wherein the energy release medium comprises a reducing agent and an oxidi zing agent .7 . The tobacco consumable according to claim 6 , wherein the energy release medium comprises a separator arranged toseparate at least one of an amount of said reducing agent and / or an amount of said oxidi zing agent .8 . The tobacco consumable according to claim 7 , wherein said separator comprises a seal arranged to separate said reducing and oxidi zing agents in an initial state and arranged to allow mixing of said reducing and oxidi zing agents in a ruptured state .9 . The tobacco consumable according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein each one of said first individual portions comprises an element arranged to rupture said seal upon application of pressure .10 . The tobacco consumable according to any one of claims 7 or 8 , wherein said separator sheet is arranged slidingly relative to said carrier and comprises an orifice allowing the mixing of said reducing and oxidi zing agents of one of said first individual portions .11 . The tobacco consumable according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , further comprising a plurality of individual heaters , wherein each one of the individual heaters is arranged on said carrier in a respective further vicinity of one of said first individual portions , and wherein activation of one of the individual heaters yields release of energy of the one of said first individual portions in said respective further vicinity .12 . The tobacco consumable according to claim 11 , wherein an individual heater comprises any one of an electrically resistive element , a piece of a resistive conductor, a piece of a nickel chromium conductor, a susceptor arranged to be heated by means of induction, and a heating element arranged to be heated by means of absorbing radiation .13 . The tobacco consumable according to any one of claims 1 to 12 , wherein said first individual portions and said secondindividual portions are arranged on opposing sides of said carrier .14 . The tobacco consumable according to any one of claims 1 to13 , wherein the carrier comprises a material selected from any one of a ceramic, aluminum, steel , and polyamide .15 . The tobacco consumable according to any one of claims 1 to 14 , further comprising : a flowpath configured to mix a generated aerosol from one of said second individual portions with ambient air ; a mouthpiece configured to provide the aerosol-air-mix toward a user for inhalation ; a mechanism configured to activate one of said second individual portions .

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