Aerosol-generating system with accessable substrate opening

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol-generating system (10, 10', 10", 10'") comprising a main body (12), a heating portion (14) configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening (22), and configured for heating the aerosol-forming substrate and a mouthpiece holder. The mouthpiece holder comprises a proximal opening (18) configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece and a distal opening (20). The aerosol-generating system is arrangeable in a first position and in a different second position. In the first position, the distal opening is fluidly connected with the substrate opening. In the second position, at least a portion of the substrate opening is accessible for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate. The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating method, comprising the steps of moving such an aerosol-generating system from the first position into the second position, inserting an aerosol-forming substrate through the substrate opening, moving the aerosol-generating system from the second position into the first position, heating the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising such an aerosol-generating system and an aerosol-forming substrate.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM WITH ACCESSABLE SUBSTRATE OPENING

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

[0003] It is known to provide an aerosol-generating system for generating an inhalable vapor. Such systems may heat aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosolforming substrate. Aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosolgenerating article into a cavity, such as a heating chamber, of the aerosol-generating system. A heating element may be arranged in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosolforming substrate once the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

[0004] It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating system that provides variable functionality. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating system that can generate an aerosol from different types of provision of aerosol-forming substrate. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating system that with improved sustainability. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating system that is configured to be used with a reusable mouthpiece. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating system that produces less waste than conventional cigarettes or aerosol-generating articles. It would be desirable to have an aerosolgenerating system that produces minimum waste. It would be desirable to have an aerosolgenerating system that only produces organic waste. It would be desirable to have an aerosolgenerating system that only produces recyclable waste. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating system that has a simplified structure. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating system which manufacture has a reduced carbon footprint.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising a main body, a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening, and configured for heating the aerosol-forming substrate and a mouthpiece holder. The mouthpiece holder comprises a proximal opening configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece and a distal opening. The aerosol-generating system is arrangeable in a first position and in a different second position. In the first position, the distal opening is fluidly connected with the substrate opening. In the second position, at least a portion of the substrate opening is accessible for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate. According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising a main body, a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening, and configured for heating the aerosol-forming substrate, and a mouthpiece holder. The mouthpiece holder may comprise a proximal opening configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece and a distal opening. The aerosol-generating system may be arrangeable in a first position and in a different second position. In the first position, the distal opening may be fluidly connected with the substrate opening. In the second position, at least a portion of the substrate opening may be accessible for receiving the aerosolforming substrate.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising a main body, a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening, and configured for heating the aerosol-forming substrate and a mouthpiece holder. The mouthpiece holder comprises a proximal opening configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece and a distal opening. The aerosol-generating system is arrangeable in a first position and in a different second position. In the first position, the distal opening is fluidly connected with the substrate opening. In the second position, at least a portion of the substrate opening is accessible for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating portion comprises a heating element configured to heat aerosol-forming substrate received in the heating portion. The heating portion comprises a door hingely mounted at a lateral side of the heating portion.

[0007] By providing an aerosol-generating system being arrangeable in such a first position and different second position, an aerosol-generating system that provides improved functionality is provided. By providing an aerosol-generating system comprising a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening which is at least partially accessible in a second position, aerosol can be generated by the aerosol-generating system from different types of provision of aerosol-forming substrate. By providing an aerosol-generating system comprising a mouthpiece holder which comprises a proximal opening configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece, and a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening, a more sustainable aerosol-generating system is provided. By providing an aerosol-generating system comprising a mouthpiece holder comprising a proximal opening configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece, an aerosol-generating system is provided that is configured to be used with a reusable mouthpiece. By providing an aerosol-generating system comprising a mouthpiece holder which comprises a proximal opening configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece, and a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening, an aerosol-generating system that produces less waste than conventional cigarettes or aerosol-generating articles is provided. By providing an aerosolgenerating system comprising a mouthpiece holder which comprises a proximal opening configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece, and a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening, an aerosol-generating system that produces minimum waste than conventional cigarettes or aerosol-generating articles is provided. By providing an aerosol-generating system comprising a mouthpiece holder which comprises a proximal opening configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece, and a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening, an aerosol-generating system that produces only produces organic waste is provided. By providing an aerosol-generating system comprising a mouthpiece holder which comprises a proximal opening configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece, and a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening, an aerosolgenerating system that produces only produces recyclable waste is provided. By providing an aerosol-generating system that comprises a main body, a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, and mouthpiece holder configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece, an aerosol-generating system is provided that has a more simplified structure. By providing an aerosol-generating system that comprises a main body, a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, and mouthpiece holder configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece, an aerosol-generating system is provided whose manufacture has a reduced carbon footprint.

[0008] The aerosol-generating system may comprise a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may extend along the longitudinal extension of the aerosol-generating system. The longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating system may extend between a proximal end of the aerosolgenerating system and a distal end of the aerosol-generating system.

[0009] As used herein, the term ‘proximal’ refers to a user-end, or mouth-end of the aerosolgenerating system or a part or portion thereof, and the term ‘distal’ refers to the end opposite to the proximal end. As used herein the term ‘lateral’ refers to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating system.

[0010] As used herein, the terms ‘upstream’, ‘downstream’, ‘proximal’, and ‘distal’, are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosolgenerating system in relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating system during use thereof.

[0011] The aerosol-generating system may comprise a mouth-end through which in use an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating system and is delivered to a user. The mouth end may also be referred to as the proximal end. In use, a user draws on the proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating system in order to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosol- generating system. The aerosol-generating system comprises a distal end opposed to the proximal or mouth end. The proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating system may also be referred to as the downstream end and the distal end of the aerosol-generating system may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating system may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal, downstream or mouth end and the distal or upstream end of the aerosol-generating system.

[0012] One or both of the mouthpiece holder or at least a portion of the heating portion may be movable with respect to the main body. In the first position the distal opening of the mouthpiece holder and the substrate opening of the heating portion may be aligned with respect to a longitudinal axis of the heating portion. The distal opening of the mouth holder may lay on a distal opening plane and the substrate opening of the heating portion may lay on a substrate opening plane. In the first position the distal opening plane and the substrate opening plane may be parallel. In the second position the distal opening plane and the substrate opening plane may not be parallel. In the first position the heating portion and the mouthpiece holder may form a main central airflow channel. The at least a portion of the substrate opening may only in the second position be accessible for receiving the aerosolforming substrate. The at least a portion of the substrate opening may in the first position not be accessible for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0013] The heating portion may comprise a debris opening that is configured to be reversibly openable. By providing a debris opening, debris remaining after heating of an aerosol-forming substrate may easily be removed from the aerosol-generating system through the debris opening. The debris opening may not be the substrate opening. The heating portion may comprise a proximal end and a distal end. The substrate opening may particularly preferably be located at the proximal end of the heating portion. The debris opening may be located on the heating portion at an opposite end to the substate opening. The debris opening may be located at the distal end of the heating portion. The debris opening may only be accessible when the aerosol-generating system is in the second position. The debris opening may be configured as a flap being rotatable in an outwards direction relative to the heating portion. The debris opening may be configured as a sliding door. Alternatively, the debris opening may be located at a lateral side of the heating portion. Alternatively, the debris opening may be the substrate opening.

[0014] The aerosol-generating system may be configured to receive the removable mouthpiece separately from the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating system may be configured to receive an aerosol-forming substate through a different opening than an opening configured for receiving the removable mouthpiece. This may provide a reuse of the removable mouthpiece and a minimum waste generation from the aerosol-generation. The aerosol-forming substrate may be free of a heating element. The aerosol-forming substrate may be free of susceptor material. This may reduce waste.

[0015] The aerosol-generating system may be configured movable from the second position to the first position. The aerosol-generating system may be configured reversibly movable from the first to the second position. The aerosol-generating system may be mechanically movable between the first and the second position. The aerosol-generating system may be moved by a user between the first and the second position.

[0016] The mouthpiece holder may not comprise a heating element. The mouthpiece holder may not be electrically connected to the main body. The proximal opening of the mouthpiece holder may comprise a mouthpiece connection portion configured for connecting a removable mouthpiece to the mouthpiece holder. The mouthpiece connection portion may provide a reversible connection between the mouthpiece holder and the removable mouthpiece. The aerosol-generating system may comprise an ejection mechanism for ejecting the removable mouthpiece from the mouthpiece holder. Alternatively, instead of a removable mouthpiece, the mouthpiece holder may be permanently connected to a mouthpiece.

[0017] The heating portion may comprise a heating element configured to heat aerosolforming substrate received in the heating portion. The heating portion may comprise a cavity for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element may at least partially surrounds the cavity. The cavity may be a heating chamber. The heating element may confine the cavity. The heating element may be cylindrical. The heating element may comprise a convection heater. The convection heater may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate by heated air. The cavity may be cylindrical.

[0018] The main body may comprise a power supply and a controller.

[0019] The mouthpiece holder may be configured to receive a removable mouthpiece which does not comprise aerosol-forming substrate. The mouthpiece holder may be configured to receive a removable mouthpiece that comprises a filter portion. The mouthpiece holder may be configured to receive a removable mouthpiece that is a filter portion. Alternatively, the mouthpiece holder may be configured to receive a removable mouthpiece which is free of filter material.

[0020] The heating portion may comprise a door hingely mounted at a lateral side of the heating portion. The aerosol-generating system may be moved from the first position to the second position by rotating the door outwards. The aerosol-generating system may be moved from the second position to the first position by rotating the door inwards. By rotating the door outwards, the cavity for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate may be accessible. By rotating the door outwards, the distal opening of the mouthpiece holder may be at least partially accessible. When the door is rotated outwards, an aerosol-forming substrate may be connectable to a distal end of a removable mouthpiece received in the mouthpiece holder. The aerosol-forming substrate may be connectable to the distal end of the removable mouthpiece by a click mechanism.

[0021] The aerosol-generating system may be moved from the first position to the second position by moving at least one of the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion with respect to the main body. At least one of the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion may be movable connected in the aerosol-generating system to provide access to the substrate opening in the second position.

[0022] The mouthpiece holder and the heating portion may comprise a joint hinge connection, The aerosol-generating system may be moved from the first position to the second position by rotating the mouthpiece holder away. The heating portion may be fixed to the main body. The mouthpiece holder may be flexible connected to the heating portion. The mouthpiece holder may be rotated around a mouthpiece holder rotation axis. The mouthpiece holder rotation axis may be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating system. The mouthpiece holder may be folded away from the heating portion.

[0023] The aerosol-generating system may be moved from the first position to the second position by moving the mouthpiece holder in a proximal direction away from the heating portion and followed by rotating the heating portion. The heating portion may comprise at least one pin, preferably two pins. The at least one pin may fix, preferably the two pins may fix, the main body to both the heating portion and the mouthpiece holder. The at least one pin, preferably the two pins, may flexibly fix the mouthpiece holder to the main body, and may flexibly fix the heating portion to the main body. The heating portion may be configured rotatable around a lateral heating portion rotation axis. The lateral heating portion rotation axis may be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The heating portion may be configured rotatable around the heating portion rotation axis only when the mouthpiece holder is moved away in the proximal direction from the heating portion. The mouthpiece holder may be flexible connected to the heating portion and the heating portion may be flexible connected to the main body. The mouthpiece holder may be configured to be pullable away from the heating portion while maintaining a connection with the main body.

[0024] The aerosol-generating system may be moved from the first position to the second position by rotating the heating portion around a longitudinal heating portion rotary axis. The heating portion may comprise on a lateral side a rotary pin extending along the longitudinal heating portion rotary axis and enabling rotation of the heating portion. The rotary pin may mount the heating portion to both the distal end of the mouthpiece holder and a proximal end of the main body. When the heating portion is rotated around the longitudinal heating portion rotation axis, the mouthpiece holder may not be moved with respect to the main body. The longitudinal heating portion rotation axis may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosolgenerating system.

[0025] The main body may be arranged at a distal end of the aerosol-generating system, the mouthpiece holder may be arranged at a proximal end of the aerosol-generating system, and the heating portion may be arranged between the main body and the mouthpiece holder. The mouthpiece holder may be mounted on the heating portion. The heating portion may be mounted on the main body. At least one of the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion may be flexible mounted on the main body. The mouthpiece holder, the heating portion and the main body may by cylindrical. The mouthpiece holder, the heating portion and the main body may have the same external diameter. The debris opening, particularly preferably, may be provided at the distal end of the heating portion and may only be accessible in the second position. Alternatively, the debris opening may be located at a lateral side of the heating portion.

[0026] Alternative to arranging the heating portion between the mouthpiece holder and the main body, the main body may be arranged in the aerosol-generating system such that the main body is in direct contact with both the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion. The main body may be arranged at a lateral side of both the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion. The main body, the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion may each comprise a longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal central axis of the main body may be parallel to the longitudinal central axis of one or both of the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion. The aerosol-generating system may be moved from the first position to the second position by rotating the heating portion around a longitudinal heating portion rotary axis, preferably wherein the heating portion comprises on a lateral side a rotary pin extending along the heating portion rotary axis and providing rotation of the heating portion, wherein the pin mounts the heating portion to a distal end of the mouthpiece holder and to a lateral side of the main body. The debris opening may be located at the distal end of the heating portion.

[0027] The mouthpiece holder may be reversibly removable from the heating portion. The heating portion may be reversibly removable from the main body. The main body, the heating portion and the mouthpiece holder may be separate elements connectable, preferably removably connectable, to each other. At least two of the main body, the heating portion and the mouthpiece holder may be reversibly connectable to at least one of the respective other components of the aerosol-generating system. A reversible connection of at least two of the three portions main body, heating portion and mouthpiece holder, may allow that in case one of these three portions needs to be replaced, not the complete aerosol-generating system needs to be replaced, but only the respective portion. Therefore, a more sustainable aerosolgenerating system may be provided.

[0028] At least two of the main body, heating portion and mouthpiece holder, may comprise matching reversible connection portions. The reversible connection portions may comprise a magnetic connection. The reversible connection portions may be magnetic connection portions. The reversible connection portions may comprise electrical connections. The electrical connections may at least allow power transfer. The reversible connection portions may comprise both the magnetic connection and the electrical connection. The main body may comprise a first reversible connection portion, the heating portion may comprise a second reversible connection portion and the first and second reversible connection portions may be configured connectable to each other, preferably via a magnetic connection. In the embodiment wherein the main body is arranged in the aerosol-generating system such that the main body is in direct contact with both the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion, the main body may comprise the first reversible connection portion, the heating portion may comprise the second reversible connection portion and the first and second reversible connection portions may provide a magnetic connection with each other. In addition, the mouthpiece holder may comprise a third reversible connection portion providing a magnetic connection with the first reversible connection element of the main body.

[0029] The heating portion may be configured to receive one or both of loose tobacco, a tobacco plug, or an aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate. This may provide an aerosol-generating system with improved functionality.

[0030] The heating portion may comprise the cavity for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate and the heating portion may comprise a trap door configured to provide two separate compartments in the cavity. The trap door may divide the cavity in two compartments of the same size. The cavity may be the heating chamber. The trap door may comprise, preferably consists of, a permeable membrane, preferably a porous permeable membrane. The trap door may consist of a thin porous layer with a magnetic attachment, detachment or clamping mechanism. The porous layer may comprise, preferably consist of a ceramic material. By providing a trap door in the cavity, preferably in the heating chamber, two separate chambers may be provided whereby heating of two different aerosol-forming substrate portions is provided.

[0031] The main body may comprise a liquid reservoir configured for storing aerosol-forming substrate. The liquid reservoir may be refillable. The liquid reservoir may be configured for storing aerosol-former. By providing a liquid reservoir in the main body, the aerosol-forming substrate received in the heating portion may be simplified. For example, an additional aerosol- former contained in the aerosol-forming substrate may not be required which allows a simplified packaging of the aerosol-forming substate.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the invention an aerosol-generating method is provided. The aerosol-generating method comprises the steps of (i) moving the aerosolgenerating system described herein from the first position into the second position, (ii) inserting an aerosol-forming substrate through the substrate opening, (iii) moving the aerosolgenerating system from the second position into the first position, (iv) heating the aerosolforming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may consist of a first aerosol-forming substrate portion and a second aerosol-forming substrate portion. The first and second aerosol-forming substrate portions may comprise different aerosol-forming substrates and may be separate entities. Step ii of the aerosol-generating method may comprise the steps of (a) inserting the first aerosol-forming substrate portion through the substrate opening and the first aerosol-forming substrate portion may consist essentially of an aerosol-former, and (b) inserting the second aerosol-forming substrate portion through the substrate opening.

[0033] The first aerosol-forming substate portion may not leave a residue after heating. The first aerosol-forming substrate portion may be an aerosol-generating element as described in WO2021 / 089414 A1 , preferably an aerosol-generating element according to claim 3 of WO2021 / 089414 A1. The disclosure of WO2021 / 089414 A1 is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the first aerosol-forming substrate portion may be graphite filled beads.

[0034] The aerosol-generating method may comprise the aerosol-generating system with the heating portion comprising the door hingely mounted at a lateral side of the heating portion. The aerosol-forming substrate may be an aerosol-forming substrate plug, preferably a tobacco plug. In step i of the aerosol-generating method the aerosol-generating system may be moved from the first position to the second position by rotating the door outwards, and step ii of the aerosol-generating method may comprise the steps of (a) inserting a removable mouthpiece in the mouthpiece holder, (b) inserting the aerosol-forming substrate plug through the substrate opening, and (c) connecting the tobacco plug to the removable mouthpiece. The aerosolforming substate plug may be connected to the removable mouthpiece by a click-mechanism.

[0035] The aerosol-forming substate plug may comprise a wrapping paper wrapping a plug of tobacco. The aerosol-forming substate plug may comprise aerosol-former. The aerosolforming substrate may be sustainable. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a sustainable plug of aerosol-forming substrate. The sustainable plug of aerosol-forming substrate may leave minimum to no residues after being heated in the heating portion. The sustainable plug of aerosol-forming substrate may only leave residues after being heated in the heating portion that are fully biodegradable. The sustainable plug of aerosol-forming substrate may only leave organic waste after being heated in the heating portion.

[0036] The sustainable plug of aerosol-forming substate may consists of a plug of tobacco and optionally at least one of a wrapping paper and an aerosol-former.

[0037] The aerosol-forming substrate may be fully biodegradable.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the invention an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating system described herein and an aerosol-forming substate is provided. The aerosol-generating system may comprise the aerosol-generating system described herein and the sustainable plug of aerosol-forming substrate.

[0039] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or both of a solid aerosol-forming substrate and a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The nicotine-containing aerosol-forming substrate may be a nicotine salt matrix.

[0040] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant-based material. The aerosolforming substrate may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material including volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised tobacco material. Homogenised tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco.

[0041] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. An aerosolformer is any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense and stable aerosol and that is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the temperature of operation of the aerosol-generating system. Suitable aerosol-formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol. Preferably, the aerosol former is glycerine. Where present, the homogenised tobacco material may have an aerosol-former content of equal to or greater than 5 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, and preferably from 5 percent to 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavourants.

[0042] The aerosol-generating system may comprise a housing. The housing may be formed from materials such as rigid plastic material (such as but not limited to polypropylene, high- density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or polysulfone (PSU)) or a metallic material (such as but not limited to aluminium). The main body of the aerosol-generating system may comprise the housing.

[0043] The housing may be elongate. The housing may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics or composite materials containing one or more of those materials, or thermoplastics that are suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyethylene. Preferably, the material is light and non-brittle. The housing may include a user interface to activate the aerosol-generating system, for example a button to initiate heating of the aerosol-generating system or a display to indicate a state of the aerosol-generating system or of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0044] A wall of the housing of the aerosol-generating system may be provided with at least one main air inlet. The at least one main air inlet may be a semi-open inlet. The semi-open inlet may be an inlet which permits air or fluid flow in one direction, such as into the system, but at least restricts, preferably prohibits, air or fluid flow in the opposite direction. The semiopen inlet preferably allows air to enter the aerosol-generating system. Air or liquid may be prevented from leaving the aerosol-generating system through the semi-open inlet.

[0045] The heating element may enclose the cavity. The heating element may be a casing or substrate around the cavity having different electro-conductive portions, or an electrically resistive metallic tube.

[0046] The heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titaniumzirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, gold- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetai® and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required.

[0047] The aerosol-generating system may comprise electric circuitry. The main body of the aerosol-generating system may comprise the electric circuitry. The electric circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of a controller. The electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components. The electric circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff- by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current. The electric circuitry may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

[0048] The aerosol-generating system may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating system. The main body of the aerosol-generating system may comprise the power supply. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium- ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-lron- Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

[0049] Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0050] Example Ex1. An aerosol-generating system comprising: a main body; a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening, and configured for heating the aerosol-forming substrate; and a mouthpiece holder comprising: a proximal opening configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece; and a distal opening, wherein the aerosol-generating system is arrangeable in a first position and in a different second position, wherein, in the first position, the distal opening is fluidly connected with the substrate opening, wherein, in the second position, at least a portion of the substrate opening is accessible for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate. Example Ex2. The aerosol-generating system according to example Ex1 , wherein the heating portion comprises a debris opening that is configured to be reversibly openable, preferably wherein the debris opening is not the substrate opening.

[0051] Example Ex3. The aerosol-generating system according to example Ex2, wherein the debris opening is located at a distal end of the heating portion.

[0052] Example Ex4. The aerosol-generating system according any of the preceding examples, wherein one or both of the mouthpiece holder or at least a portion of the heating portion are movable with respect to the main body.

[0053] Example Ex5. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating system is configured reversibly movable from the first to the second position.

[0054] Example Ex6. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the mouthpiece holder does not comprise a heating element, preferably wherein the mouthpiece holder is not electrically connected to the main body.

[0055] Example Ex7. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the heating portion comprises a heating element configured to heat aerosol-forming substrate received in the heating portion.

[0056] Example Ex8. The aerosol-generating system according to example Ex7, wherein the heating portion comprises a cavity for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate and wherein the heating element at least partially surrounds the cavity, preferably wherein the heating element confines the cavity.

[0057] Example Ex9. The aerosol-generating system according to example Ex7 or Ex8, wherein the heating element comprises a convection heater.

[0058] Example Ex10. The aerosol-generating system according to any of example Ex7 to Ex9, wherein the cavity is cylindrical.

[0059] Example Ex11. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the main body comprise a power supply and a controller.

[0060] Example Ex12. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the mouthpiece holder is configured to receive a removable mouthpiece which does not comprising aerosol-forming substrate.

[0061] Example Ex13. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the mouthpiece holder is configured to receive a removable mouthpiece which is free of filter material.

[0062] Example Ex14. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating system is moved from the first position to the second position by moving at least one of the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion with respect to the main body.

[0063] Example Ex15. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples 1 , 2 and 4 to 14, wherein the heating portion comprises a door hingely mounted at a lateral side of the heating portion, preferably wherein the aerosol-generating system is moved from the first position to the second position by rotating the door outwards.

[0064] Example Ex16. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex1 , Ex2 and Ex4 to Ex14, wherein the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion comprise a joint hinge connection, wherein the aerosol-generating system is moved from the first position to the second position by rotating the mouthpiece holder away, preferably wherein the heating portion is fixed to the main body.

[0065] Example Ex17. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex1 to Ex14, wherein the aerosol-generating system is moved from the first position to the second position by moving the mouthpiece holder in a proximal direction away from the heating portion and followed by rotating the heating portion, preferably wherein the heating portion comprises at least one pin, preferably two pins, wherein the at least one pin fixes, preferably the two pins fix, the main body to both the and the mouthpiece holder.

[0066] Example Ex18. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples 1 to Ex14, wherein the aerosol-generating system is moved from the first position to the second position by rotating the heating portion around a longitudinal heating portion rotary axis, preferably wherein the heating portion comprises on a lateral side a rotary pin extending along the longitudinal heating portion rotary axis and enabling rotation of the heating portion, more preferably wherein the rotary pin mounts the heating portion to both a distal end of the mouthpiece holder and a proximal end of the main body.

[0067] Example Ex19. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the main body is arranged at a distal end of the aerosol-generating system, the mouthpiece holder is arranged at a proximal end of the aerosol-generating system, wherein the heating portion is arranged between the main body and the mouthpiece holder.

[0068] Example Ex20. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the mouthpiece holder is mounted on the heating portion, wherein the heating portion is mounted on the main body.

[0069] Example Ex21. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the mouthpiece holder, the heating portion and the main body have the same external diameter. Example Ex22. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex1 to Ex16, wherein the main body is arranged in the aerosol-generating system such that the main body is in direct contact with both the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion, preferably wherein the main body is arranged at a lateral side of both the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion, more preferably wherein a longitudinal central axis of the main body is parallel to a longitudinal central axis of one or both of the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion.

[0070] Example Ex23. The aerosol-generating system according to example Ex22, wherein the aerosol-generating system is moved from the first position to the second position by rotating the heating portion around a longitudinal heating portion rotary axis, preferably wherein the heating portion comprises on a lateral side a rotary pin extending along the heating portion rotary axis and providing rotation of the heating portion, wherein the pin mounts the heating portion to a distal end of the mouthpiece holder and to a lateral side of the main body.

[0071] Example Ex24. The aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex22 or Ex23, wherein the debris opening is located at a distal end of the heating portion.

[0072] Example Ex25. The aerosol-generating system according to examples Ex2, Ex3, or Ex24, wherein the debris opening is configured as a flap being rotatable in an outwards direction relative to the heating portion.

[0073] Example Ex26. The aerosol-generating system according to example Ex2, Ex3, or Ex24, wherein the debris opening is a configured as a sliding door.

[0074] Example Ex27. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein at least two of the main body, heating portion and mouthpiece holder, comprise matching reversible connection portions, preferably wherein the reversible connection portions provide at least one of a magnetic connection and an electrical connection.

[0075] Example Ex28. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the heating portion is configured to receive one or both of loose tobacco, a tobacco plug, or an aerosol-generating article comprising aerosol-forming substrate.

[0076] Example Ex29. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the heating portion comprises a cavity for receiving the aerosolforming substrate, wherein the cavity comprises a trap door configured to provide two separate compartments in the cavity. Example Ex30. The aerosol-generating system according to example Ex29, wherein the trap door comprises, preferably consists of, a permeable membrane, preferably a porous permeable membrane.

[0077] Example Ex31. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the main body comprises a liquid reservoir configured for storing aerosol-forming substrate.

[0078] Example Ex32. An aerosol-generating method, comprising the steps of i. moving the aerosol-generating system according to any of the examples Ex1 to Ex31 from the first position into the second position; ii. inserting an aerosol-forming substrate through the substrate opening; iii. moving the aerosol-generating system from the second position into the first position; iv. heating the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol.

[0079] Example Ex33. The aerosol-generating method of example Ex32, wherein the aerosolforming substrate consists of a first aerosol-forming substrate portion and a second aerosol-forming substrate portion, wherein the first and second aerosol-forming substrate portions comprise different aerosol-forming substrates and are separate entities, wherein step ii. comprises the steps of a. inserting the first aerosol-forming substrate portion through the substrate opening, wherein the first aerosol-forming substrate portion consist essentially of an aerosol-former; b. inserting the second aerosol-forming substrate portion through the substrate opening.

[0080] Example Ex34. The aerosol-generating method of example Ex32, wherein the aerosolgenerating system is the aerosol-generating system according to example Ex15, or example Ex 22 dependent from example Ex15, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is an aerosol-forming substrate plug, preferably a tobacco plug, wherein step ii. comprises the steps of a. inserting a removable mouthpiece in the mouthpiece holder; b. inserting the aerosol-forming substrate plug through the substrate opening; c. connecting the tobacco plug to the removable mouthpiece.

[0081] Example Ex35. An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating system according to any of examples Ex1 to Ex31 and an aerosol-forming substrate, preferably wherein the aerosol-forming substate is a plug of aerosol-forming substrate consisting of a plug of tobacco and optionally at least one of a paper wrapper and an aerosol-former.

[0082] Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

[0083] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0084] Figs. 1A, 1 B, 1C and 1 D show an aerosol-generating system; Figs. 1 E and 1 F shown an aerosol-generating system;

[0085] Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E shows an aerosol-generating system; Figs. 2F and 2G show an aerosol-generating system;

[0086] Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F show an aerosol-generating system;

[0087] Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C show the aerosol-generating systems with different types of aerosol-forming substrate; Fig. 4D shows a heating chamber for the aerosol-generating systems.

[0088] Fig. 1A shows an aerosol-generating system 10. The aerosol-generating system 10 comprises a main body 12, a heating portion 14, and a mouthpiece holder 16. The main body 12 comprises a battery portion and a controller (not shown). The mouthpiece holder 16 comprises a proximal opening 18 and a distal opening 20. The heating portion 14 comprises a substrate opening 22 located at a proximal end of the heating portion 14 and a cavity 24 which is a heating chamber. The cavity 22 is enclosed by a tubular heating element. However, alternative heating mechanisms and heating elements may be implemented in the heating portion.

[0089] Fig. 1A shows the aerosol-generating system 12 in a first position in which the distal opening 20 is fluidly connected with the substrate opening 22. In the first position a distal opening plane on which the distal opening 20 lays, and a substrate opening plane on which the substrate opening 22 lays, are parallel. In other words, the distal opening 20 and the substrate opening 22 are aligned with respect to a longitudinal axis of the heating portion 14.

[0090] Fig. 1 B shows the aerosol-generating system 12 in a second position in which the substrate opening 22 is accessible for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate 26. The distal opening plane and the substrate opening plane are not parallel in the second position. The aerosol-generating system 12 is moved from the first position shown in Fig. 1A to the second position shown in Fig 1 B by rotating a door 28 outwards. The door 28 is hingely mounted at a lateral side of the heating portion 14. The door 28 is connected to the heating portion 14 via a hinge mechanism (not shown). Fig. 1C shows the aerosol-forming substrate 26 received in the heating portion of the aerosol-generating system 12. In this embodiment the aerosol-forming substrate 26 is a sustainable aerosol-forming substrate plug, for example a tobacco plug, which leaves after heating only organic waste. However, the aerosol-forming substrate can also be in other forms, for example, as loose tobacco. When the aerosol-forming substrate 26 is received in the heating portion 14, the door 28 can be closed by rotating the door inwards, thereby moving the aerosol-generating system 12 from the second position (Figs. 1 B and 1C) to the first position (Figs. 1A and 1 D).

[0091] In Fig. 1 D a removable mouthpiece 30 is received in the proximal opening 18 of the mouthpiece holder 16. The removable mouthpiece 30 can be a reusable mouthpiece. The aerosol-forming substrate 26 can be connected to the removable mouthpiece 30, for example, by a click mechanism.

[0092] Figs. 1 E, 1 F and 1G show an aerosol-generating system 10’. The aerosol-generating system 10’ comprises the same components as the aerosol-generating system 10 with the difference that the aerosol-generating system 10’ is moved by a different mechanism from the first position to the second position. The mouthpiece holder 16 and the heating portion 14 comprise a joint hinge connection 32. The aerosol-generating system 10’ is moved from the first position to the second position, which is shown in Fig. 1 E, by rotating the mouthpiece holder 16 away along the direction illustrated by the arrow 34. In this embodiment the heating portion 14 can be fixed, for example permanently fixed, to the main body 12. In the second position, shown in Fig. 1 E, an aerosol-forming substrate 26 can then be received through the accessible substrate opening. Fig. 1 F shows the aerosol-generating system 10’ in the first position in which the distal opening 20 and the substrate opening 22 are fluidly connected and aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heating portion 14. Afterwards a removable mouthpiece can be received in the proximal opening 18 of the mouthpiece holder 16 similar to Fig. 1 D.

[0093] Figs. 2A to 2E show an aerosol-generating system 10”. The aerosol-generating system 10” comprises the same components as the aerosol-generating system 10 with the difference that the aerosol-generating system 10” is moved by a different mechanism from the first position to the second position and that the heating chamber 24” has a cubic shape. However, alternatively, the heating chamber 24 can be implemented in the aerosol-generating system 10”. Fig. 2A shows the aerosol-generating system 10” in a first position. The heating portion 14 comprises two pins 36 and 38 (pin 38 is only shown in Figs. 2B to 2D where the mouthpiece holder 16 is pulled away from the heating portion 14). The pins 36 and 38 fix the heating portion 14 to both the main body 12 and the mouthpiece holder 16. The mouthpiece holder 16 can be moved in a proximal direction illustrated by the arrow 40 away from the heating portion 14 as shown in Fig. 2B. After the mouthpiece holder 16 is pulled away from the heating portion 14, the heating portion 14 can then be rotated in a clockwise direction illustrated by arrow 42 resulting in the aerosol-generating system 10” being in a second position as shown in Fig. 2C. In this second position the substrate opening 22 is accessible for receiving an aerosolgenerating substrate 26”. The aerosol-generating substrate 26” is in the form of a planar or cubic sustainable aerosol-generating article. When the aerosol-forming substrate 26” is received in the cavity 24” the heating portion 14 can be rotated in a direction anti-clockwise, to result in the aerosol-generating system 10” shown in Fig. 2D. In a last step, the mouthpiece holder 16 is pushed in a distal direction towards the heating portion 14 and the aerosolgenerating system 10” is again in the first position as shown in Fig. 2E.

[0094] Figs. 2F and 2G show an aerosol-generating system 10”’. The aerosol-generating system 10”’ comprises the same components as the aerosol-generating system 10 with the difference that the aerosol-generating system 10’” is moved by a different mechanism from the first position to the second position. The heating portion 14 of the aerosol-generating system 10’” comprises a rotary pin 44 on a lateral side extending along a longitudinal heating portion rotary axis 46 and enabling rotation of the heating portion 14. The longitudinal heating portion axis 46 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating system 10’” (not shown). The rotary pin 44 mounts the heating portion 14 to both a distal end of the mouthpiece holder 16 and a proximal end of the main body 12.

[0095] The heating portion 14 can be rotated around the longitudinal heating portion rotary axis 46 illustrated by the arrow 48. The aerosol-generating system 10’” is moved from the first position, shown in Fig 2F to the second position, shown in Fig. 2G, by rotating the heating portion 14 around the longitudinal heating portion rotary axis 46. In the second position, shown in Fig. 2G, the substrate opening 22 is accessible for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate, for example aerosol-forming substrates 26, 26”, or loose tobacco. After receiving an aerosolforming substrate, the heating portion 14 can be rotated around the longitudinal heating portion axis rotary in an opposite direction to rotary direction illustrated by arrow 48, and a removable mouthpiece 30 can be received in the mouthpiece holder 16 resulting in an aerosol-generating system similar as shown in Fig. 1 D.

[0096] Figs. 3A to 3F show an aerosol-generating system 50. In contrast to the aerosolgenerating systems 10, 10’, 10” and 10’”, the main body 12 is arranged on a lateral side of the heating portion 14 and mouthpiece holder 16. Therefore, the main body 12 is in direct contact with both the mouthpiece holder 16 and the heating portion 14. In addition, a battery portion 52 and a controller 54 are shown. The heating portion 14 comprises a cavity 56 which is a heating chamber. The cavity 56 is cuboid for receiving a cuboid aerosol-forming substrate 58. However, the cavity can also have a cylindrical shape as the cavity 24, a cubic shape as the cavity 24”. In addition or alternatively, the aerosol-generating system 50 can also receive the aerosol-forming substrates 26, 26’ or loose tobacco. Fig. 3b shows the aerosol-generating system 50 receiving an aerosol-generating article 58 and a removable mouthpiece 30 being received in the mouthpiece holder. The heating portion 14 comprises on a distal end a debris opening 60 that is configured to be reversibly openable. The debris opening 60 is configured as a flap being rotatable in an outwards direction relative to the heating portion 14. As can be seen in Fig. 3C, through the debris opening 60 debris 62 can be removed from the cavity 56. A debris opening can also be provided in the other aerosol-generating systems 10, 10’, 10” and 10’” described above. For example, the debris opening 60 can be provided in the aerosolgenerating systems 10” and 10’” at a distal end of the heating portions 24” and 14, respectively, and thereby being only accessibly in the second position (not shown). For example, a debris opening can be provided in the aerosol-generating system 10 and 10’ on a lateral side of the heating portion (not shown).

[0097] Figs. 3D to 3F show aerosol-generating systems 50, 50’ and 50’”, with the same mechanisms for moving the systems from the first position to the second position as the aerosol-generating systems 10, 10’ and 10’”, respectively, as described above. The aerosolgenerating system 50 comprises similar to the aerosol-generating system 10, a door 28 which can be moved outwards (see Fig. 3D). The door 28 is hingely mounted at a lateral side of the heating portion 14. The door 28 is connected to the heating portion 14 via a hinge mechanism (not shown). After moving the aerosol-generating system 50 from the first to the second position by moving the door 28 outwards, an aerosol-forming substrate 58 can be received in the cavity 56. The aerosol-generating system 50’ comprises similar to the aerosol-generating system 10’, a joint hinge connection 32 at the mouthpiece holder 16 and the heating portion 14 (see Fig. 3E). After moving the aerosol-generating system 50’ from the first position to the second position by rotating the mouthpiece holder 16 away, an aerosol-forming substrate 58 can be received in the cavity 56. The aerosol-generating system 50’” comprises similar to the aerosol-generating system 10’”, a rotary pin 44 on a lateral side extending along a longitudinal heating portion rotary axis 46 (not shown) and enabling rotation of the heating portion 14 (see Fig. 3F). After moving the aerosol-generating system 50’” from the first position to the second position by rotating the heating portion, an aerosol-forming substrate 58 can be received in the cavity 56.

[0098] In the aerosol-generating systems 50, 50’ and 50’” the main body 12 can be reversibly connected to the heating portion 14 and the mouthpiece holder 16 via a magnetic connection (not shown).

[0099] Figs. 4A to 4C show the described aerosol-generating systems with different types of aerosol-forming substrates. Fig. 4A shows the aerosol-generating system 10 receiving a sustainable consumable 64 and a liquid container 66 in the cavity 24. The liquid container 66 can contain an aerosol-former, for example, glycerin. The sustainable consumable 64 can comprise, preferably consist of, tobacco. Fig. 4B shows the aerosol-generating system 10” receiving a cubic sustainable consumable 68 and a cubic liquid container 70 in the cavity 24”.

[0100] Fig. 4C shows an aerosol-generating system 72 which comprises the same mechanism for moving the system from the first to the second position as the aerosol-generating system 10”, with the difference that the aerosol-generating system 72 comprises located in the main body a liquid reservoir 74 configured for storing aerosol-forming substrate. The cavity 24” of the heating portion 16 can receive a cubic sustainable consumable 68. The cubic sustainable consumable can then be aerosolized by being heated in the cavity 24” and by coming in contact with vaporized aerosol-forming substrate from the liquid reservoir 74.

[0101] Fig. 4D shows a heating chamber 74 which can enclose the cavities 24, 24’ and 56’ described above and thus can be implemented in all of the aerosol-generating systems described above. The heating chamber 74 comprises trap door 76 configured to provide two separate compartments 78 and 80 in the cavity. The trap door comprises, preferably consists of, a permeable membrane, preferably a porous permeable membrane. In compartment 80 a first aerosol-forming substrate portion 82 comprising an aerosol-former, for example, glycerine, can be inserted. In compartment 78 a second aerosol-forming substrate portion 84 can be inserted. The first aerosol-forming substrate 82 can be an aerosol-generating element as described in WO2021 / 089414 A1 and can disappear after heating of the heating chamber 74.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol-generating system comprising: a main body; a heating portion configured for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate through a substrate opening, and configured for heating the aerosol-forming substrate; and a mouthpiece holder comprising: a proximal opening configured for receiving a removable mouthpiece; and a distal opening, wherein the aerosol-generating system is arrangeable in a first position and in a different second position, wherein, in the first position, the distal opening is fluidly connected with the substrate opening, wherein, in the second position, at least a portion of the substrate opening is accessible for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the heating portion comprises a heating element configured to heat aerosol-forming substrate received in the heating portion, wherein the heating portion comprises a door hingely mounted at a lateral side of the heating portion.

2. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 , wherein the heating portion comprises a debris opening that is configured to be reversibly openable, preferably wherein the debris opening is not the substrate opening, more preferably wherein the debris opening is located at a distal end of the heating portion.

3. The aerosol-generating system according any of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the mouthpiece holder or at least a portion of the heating portion are movable with respect to the main body, preferably wherein the aerosol-generating system is moved from the first position to the second position by moving at least one of the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion with respect to the main body, more preferably, wherein the aerosolgenerating system is configured reversibly movable from the first to the second position.

4. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mouthpiece holder does not comprise a heating element, preferably wherein the mouthpiece holder is not electrically connected to the main body.

5. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heating portion comprises a cavity for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate andwherein the heating element at least partially surrounds the cavity, preferably wherein the heating element confines the cavity.

6. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-generating system is moved from the first position to the second position by rotating the door outwards, preferably wherein the aerosol-generating system is moved from the second position to the first position by rotating the door inwards.

7. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein by rotating the door outwards, the distal opening of the mouthpiece holder is at least partially accessible, preferably wherein when the door is rotated outwards, the aerosol-forming substrate is connectable to a distal end of a removable mouthpiece received in the mouthpiece holder.

8. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main body is arranged at a distal end of the aerosol-generating system, the mouthpiece holder is arranged at a proximal end of the aerosol-generating system, wherein the heating portion is arranged between the main body and the mouthpiece holder, preferably wherein the mouthpiece holder is mounted on the heating portion, wherein the heating portion is mounted on the main body.

9. The aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the main body is arranged in the aerosol-generating system such that the main body is in direct contact with both the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion,10. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 9, wherein the main body is arranged at a lateral side of both the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion, preferably wherein a longitudinal central axis of the main body is parallel to a longitudinal central axis of one or both of the mouthpiece holder and the heating portion.

11. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the main body, heating portion and mouthpiece holder, comprise matching reversible connection portions, preferably wherein the reversible connection portions provide at least one of a magnetic connection and an electrical connection.

12. The aerosol-generating system according to claim 11 , wherein the main body comprises a first reversible connection portion, the heating portion comprises a second reversible connection portion and the first and second reversible connection portions are configured connectable to each other, preferably via a magnetic connection.

13. The aerosol-generating system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heating portion comprises a cavity for receiving the aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the cavity comprises a trap door configured to provide two separate compartments in the cavity, preferably wherein the trap door comprises, preferably consists of, a permeable membrane, preferably a porous permeable membrane.

14. An aerosol-generating method, comprising the steps of i. moving the aerosol-generating system according to any of the claims 1 to 13 from the first position into the second position; ii. inserting an aerosol-forming substrate through the substrate opening; iii. moving the aerosol-generating system from the second position into the first position; iv. heating the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, preferably wherein the aerosol-forming substrate consists of a first aerosol-forming substrate portion and a second aerosol-forming substrate portion, wherein the first and second aerosol-forming substrate portions comprise different aerosol-forming substrates and are separate entities, wherein step ii. comprises the steps of a. inserting the first aerosol-forming substrate portion through the substrate opening, wherein the first aerosol-forming substrate portion consist essentially of an aerosol-former; b. inserting the second aerosol-forming substrate portion through the substrate opening.

15. An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating system according to any of claims 1 to 13 and an aerosol-forming substrate, preferably wherein the aerosol-forming substate is a plug of aerosol-forming substrate consisting of a plug of tobacco and optionally at least one of a paper wrapper and an aerosol-former.

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