Aerosol-generating article and method for realizing an aerosol-generating article

Abstract

An aerosol-generating article (1) comprises an aerosol-generating portion (2) extending along a longitudinal direction and configured to generate an aerosol, a filter portion (3) arranged downstream of the aerosol-generating portion (2) and extending along the longitudinal direction, a paper tube (4) arranged between the aerosol-generating portion (2) and the filter portion (3) along the longitudinal direction; the paper tube (4) comprises a wall (5) defining an internal hollow duct (6) to allow the passage of the aerosol from the aerosol-generating portion (2) to the filter portion (3); the paper tube (4) comprises a plurality of projecting elements (7) projecting inward from the wall (5).

Description

[0001] JT International SA 274 654 s 6 / tl2

[0002] Aerosol -generating article and method for realizing an aerosol -generating article

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article and a method for reali zing an aerosol-generating article .

[0005] For example , the present invention is applicable to heated tobacco sticks (HTS ) used in non-combustible-heating devices .

[0006] Background

[0007] The heated tobacco stick (HTS ) products are widely used in the market and of fer multiple benefits , including health benefits .

[0008] As it is well known, in these products , a portion of tobacco is heated to create an aerosol that is inhaled by the user . In particular, the heated tobacco stick products are inserted in speci fic devices (non-combustible-heating devices ) that are equipped with a heater to heat the tobacco , thereby generating the aerosol .

[0009] One of the most recognised disadvantages of these products is related to the high temperature of the aerosol , especially during the first puf fs . In particular, the tobacco contained in the heat tobacco stick products has a certain level of moisture which is , for example , due to environmental conditions and the presence of humectants that guarantee the perfect preservation of the tobacco ' s properties over time .

[0010] This implies that the user perceives an excessive temperature , for example in the first puf fs , making the experience unpleasant , at least in the initial stages . To remedy this inconvenience , a cooling section may be provided between the tobacco portion and the filter portion of the known aerosol-generating articles .

[0011] For example , the cooling section may comprise a paper tube , which is usually cylindrical and defines a duct inside through which the aerosol generated in the tobacco portion flows to the filter port .

[0012] The aerosol flowing through the duct is then mixed with air in order to lower its temperature . In this way, the aerosol inhaled by the user has a lower temperature thereby improving the smoking experience , for example during the initial stages .

[0013] However, the paper tube might not be suf ficient to conveniently cool down the aerosol before being inhaled by the user . For this reason, further cooling elements should be provided to obtain an aerosol having the appropriate temperature .

[0014] Summary of the Invention

[0015] In view of the above , it is an obj ect of the present invention to provide an aerosol-generating article and a method for reali zing an aerosol-generating article configured to deliver an improved sensory experience to users thereo f during the entire smoking session .

[0016] This is achieved by means of an aerosol-generating article in accordance with claim 1 and a method for reali zing an aerosol-generating article in accordance with claim 13 .

[0017] According to the invention, an aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating portion extending along a longitudinal direction and configured to generate an aerosol , a filter portion arranged downstream of the aerosol- generating portion and extending along the longitudinal direction, and a paper tube arranged between the aerosolgenerating portion and the filter portion along the longitudinal direction; the paper tube comprising a wall ( 5 ) defining an internal hollow duct to allow the passage of the aerosol from the aerosol-generating portion to the filter portion; the paper tube comprises a plurality of proj ecting elements proj ecting inward from the wall .

[0018] According to this configuration, the protrusions are immersed in the internal duct where the aerosol flows and promote a turbulent flow . This makes the mixing of the aerosol with the air in the paper tube more ef fective . Consequently, the heat exchange between aerosol and air is more ef fective , resulting in a more pronounced cooling of the aerosol .

[0019] Consequently, the cooling section might be shorter than in those of the known aerosol-generating articles since the cooling of the aerosol is more ef fective . This can reduce manufacturing costs . Additionally, further functional segments may be added without increasing the overall length of the article .

[0020] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, each proj ecting element may comprise a flap being a cutout of the wall of the paper tube folded inward .

[0021] Since the flaps are made of the same material of the paper tube , this makes the manufacturing of the proj ections easier . Additionally, no additional materials are needed in the reali zation of the proj ections . As the proj ections are made of paper, this increases the sustainability of the paper tube and that of the aerosol-generating article .

[0022] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the shape of each flap may be at least one of triangular, rectangular, and circular . These shapes are easy to realize, and they allow to obtain the desired level of turbulence.

[0023] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, each flap may present an asymmetric shape.

[0024] The irregular configuration determined by the asymmetric shape of the flaps contributes to increase the turbulence generated in the flow of the aerosol inside the internal duct of the paper tube. This allows to increase the thermal exchange between the aerosol and the air, increasing the cooling down of the aerosol.

[0025] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the flaps may be uniformly distributed on the wall.

[0026] This allows to obtain a uniform turbulence of the flow inside the paper tube, thereby increasing the uniformity of heat exchange in the aerosol flow.

[0027] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the ratio of the number of flaps to the total area of the wall may be 0.005 mm-2to 0.09 mm-2, preferably 0.01 mm-2to 0.07 mm-2, more preferably 0.023 mm-2to 0.045 mm-2, even more preferably 0.027 mm-2to 0.036 mm-2.

[0028] Due to this configuration, an appropriate level of turbulence in the flow inside the internal duct of the paper tube might be generated. It is to be noted that a density of the flaps below a certain threshold might not be sufficient for generating a significant level of turbulence. In this case, the cooling effect might not be obtained. Analogously, a density of the flaps over a certain threshold could result in an excessive aerodynamic resistance that would make it difficult for the aerosol to flow towards the filter portion. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the ratio of the total area of the flaps to the total area of the wall may be 0.01 to 0.5, preferably 0.02 to 0.4, more preferably 0.04 to 0.18.

[0029] This feature allows to obtain an appropriate level of turbulence in the flow inside the internal duct of the paper tube. It is to be noted that a ratio below a certain threshold might not be sufficient for generating a significant level of turbulence. In this case, the cooling effect might not be obtained. Analogously, a ratio over a certain threshold could result in an excessive aerodynamic resistance that would make it difficult for the aerosol to flow towards the filter portion.

[0030] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, each flap may comprise a portion contiguous with the wall defining a folding line.

[0031] Due to this configuration, the flaps are stably connected to the wall of the paper tube, so reducing the risk that one or more flaps may separate from the wall, reducing the turbulence effect. In other words, this increases the reliability of the flaps that can continue to remain stable in the correct position during use.

[0032] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the folding line may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, preferably the folding line may be inclined at an angle of 30 degrees or more, and more preferably perpendicular .

[0033] Due to this configuration, the flap is likely exposed to the airflow thereby influencing it, thereby enhancing the mixing of the aerosol flow. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, each flap may be inclined of an angle of 1° to 180°, preferably of 5° to 80°, preferably 20° to 60°, more preferably 30° to 45°, with respect to a direction orthogonal to the folding line and tangential to the wall.

[0034] This allows the flaps to be in the best position possible inside the internal duct to effectively promote the turbulence needed to cool down the aerosol before being inhaled .

[0035] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the wall of the paper tube comprises a plurality of layers and each flap may comprise all the layers.

[0036] The double-layered flaps are more resistant and solid and can more easily maintain their position inside the duct, thereby allowing a stable generation of turbulence.

[0037] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the wall of the paper tube comprises a plurality of layers and each flap may comprise only one of the layers.

[0038] This allows keeping the desired rigidity of the paper tube. Indeed, when only an inner paper layer is cut, the decreasing of the rigidity of paper tube wall is lower.

[0039] Additionally, this may have a lower effect on appearance. Specifically, even though a tipping paper covers the paper tube, the cut portions may be visible through the tipping paper. When an outer paper layer of the paper tube wall is not cut, the cuts might be less visible.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the wall of the paper tube comprises an outer layer and an inner layer (10b) ; wherein each flap comprises only the inner layer (10b) and the outer layer is uncut. This feature allows to obtain a paper tube with good appearance as the holes created by cutting and folding the inner layer are covered by the outer layer . Additionally, an appropriate rigidity of the paper tube is guaranteed despite the cuts in the inner layer, as the intact outer layer performs a structural function .

[0041] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the paper tube may comprise a coating of phase-change material .

[0042] The use of a change-phase material coating the paper tube allows increasing the cooling ef fect . Indeed, when the change-phase material coating contacts the high temperature aerosol flowing in the paper tube , it undergoes a change of state resulting in heat absorption from the aerosol which consequently cools down further .

[0043] According to the invention, a method for reali zing the aerosol-generating article comprises the steps of providing an aerosol-generating portion extending along a longitudinal direction and configured to generate an aerosol ; providing a filter portion arranged downstream of the aerosol-generating portion and extending along the longitudinal direction; providing a paper tube and arranging it between the aerosolgenerating portion and the filter portion along the longitudinal direction; the paper tube comprising a wal l defining an internal hollow duct to allow the passage of the aerosol from the aerosol-generating portion to the filter portion; the step of providing the paper tube comprises the step of reali zing a plurality of proj ecting elements proj ecting inward from the wall .

[0044] Advantageously, in the aerosol-generating article manufactured by the method of the invention, the protrusions are immersed in the internal duct where the aerosol flows and promotes a turbulent flow . This makes the mixing of the aerosol with the air in the paper tube more ef fective . Consequently, the heat exchange between aerosol and air i s more ef fective , resulting in a more pronounced cooling of the aerosol .

[0045] Consequently, the cooling section might be shorter than in the known aerosol-generating articles since the cooling of the aerosol is more ef fective .

[0046] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the step of reali zing the plurality of proj ecting elements may comprise the step of cutting out the portions of the wall and folding the portions inward to reali ze a plurality of corresponding flaps .

[0047] This feature makes the manufacturing of the proj ections easier, as the flaps are made of the same material of the paper tube and no additional materials are needed in the reali zation of the proj ections . Additionally, this increases the sustainability of the paper tube and that of the aerosolgenerating article since the proj ections are made of paper .

[0048] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0049] Hereinafter, the invention will be further described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof , in which

[0050] Fig . 1 shows a schematic view of an aerosol-generating article according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Fig . 2 shows a schematic view of a detail of the embodiment of Fig . 1 ;

[0052] Fig . 3 represents a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the detail of Fig . 2 ; Fig . 4 shows a schematic view of a cross-section in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article of Fig . 1 ;

[0053] Fig . 5 represents a schematic view of a longitudinal section along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article of Fig . 1 ;

[0054] Fig . 6 represents a schematic view of a longitudinal section along the longitudinal direction of an alternative embodiment of the aerosol-generating article of Fig . 1 .

[0055] Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0056] As can be seen in the attached figures , the aerosolgenerating article 1 according to the invention comprises an aerosol-generating portion 2 configured to generate an aerosol and extending along a longitudinal direction and a filter portion 3 arranged downstream of the aerosol generating substrate 2 and extending along the longitudinal direction .

[0057] The term "downstream" refers to the flow of air passing through the aerosol-generating article 1 during use , and in particular during a puf f made by the user .

[0058] The aerosol-generating portion 2 presents a first end 2a proximal to the filter portion 3 and a second end 2b opposed to the first end 2a in the longitudinal direction .

[0059] The filter portion 3 presents a first end 3a proximal to the aerosol-generating portion 2 and a second end 3b opposed to the first end 3a in the longitudinal direction .

[0060] The aerosol-generating portion 2 may comprise a plant- filling material comprising tobacco material , botanicals , or a combination of both . When comprising tobacco material , the latter may comprise lamina and / or stems . It may also alternatively or in combination comprise reconstituted tobacco sheet materials formed of dry tobacco leaves in particulate form so as to have a mean particle si ze of 20 pm or more but not more than 200 pm, which are then homogeni zed into a sheet-processed material . The aerosol-generating substrate 2 content is typically between about 200 mg and 800 mg, preferably between 250 mg and 350 mg for a 20 mm length and a 22 mm circumference .

[0061] Various kinds of tobacco leaves can be used for making a tobacco containing aerosol generating substrate to achieve the desired taste .

[0062] In addition, the aerosol-generating portion 2 may preferably comprise an aerosol former such as glycerine , propylene glycol , triacetin, 1 , 3-butanediol and blends thereof in weight contents of between about 5 wt . % or more , preferably 10 wt . % or more , usually 50 wt . % or less , preferably 15 wt . % or more and 25 wt . % or less based on the total amount of the filling material .

[0063] The filter portion 3 may compri se a plug that can be an acetate or paper filter enveloped with a filter paper (not shown) .

[0064] The aerosol-generating article 1 further comprises a paper tube 4 arranged between the aerosol-generating portion 2 and the filter portion 3 along the longitudinal direction .

[0065] Speci fically, the paper tube 4 presents a first end 4 a proximal to the aerosol-generating portion 2 and a second end 4b opposed to the first end 4a in the longitudinal direction and proximal to the filter potion 3 . Speci fically, the first end 4a of the paper tube 4 is substantially in contact with the first end 2a of the aerosol-generating portion 2 .

[0066] In an embodiment (not shown) , the second end 4b of the paper tube 4 may be in contact with the first end 3a of the filter portion 3 .

[0067] According to the shown embodiment , the tubular section 11 i s arranged between the filter portion 3 and the paper tube 4 .

[0068] The tubular section 11 may be made of acetate .

[0069] In this case , the second end 4b of the paper tube 4 is in contact with the tubular section 11 . Analogously, the first end 3a of the filter 3 is in contact with the tubular section 11 .

[0070] The filter portion 3 and the tubular element 11 together may form a mouthpiece portion .

[0071] The mouthpiece portion is connected to the aerosol-generating portion 2 and the paper tube 4 through a tipping paper (not shown) enveloped around the mouthpiece portion, the paper tube 4 and at least part of the aerosol-generating portion 2 .

[0072] The paper tube 4 comprises a wall 5 which is preferably cylindrical-shaped and defines an internal hollow duct 6 . The internal duct 6 allows the passage of the aerosol generated in the aerosol-generating portion 2 to the filter portion 3 .

[0073] According to the invention, the paper tube 4 comprises a plurality of proj ecting elements 7 which proj ect inward from the wall 5 . In detail , the proj ecting elements 7 proj ect inside the internal duct 6 to intercept the flow of the aerosol from the aerosol-generating portion 2 to the filter portion 3 . In use , the proj ecting elements 7 intercepting the aerosol flow work as obstacles to said flow generating vortexes in the aerosol flow, disturbing the regular ( laminar ) flow and promoting a transition to a turbulent flow .

[0074] Preferably, each proj ecting element 7 may comprise a flap 8 which is a cutout of the wall 5 of the paper tube 4 folded inward .

[0075] Each flap 8 corresponds to a perforation 12 , counterbored to the flap 8 , made in the wall of the paper tube 8 .

[0076] The distance of the flaps 8 form each other may be 1 mm or more .

[0077] The length of the flaps 8 measured from the wall 5 may be preferably 1 mm to 5 mm, more preferably 2 mm to 3 mm .

[0078] Preferably, the shape of each flap 8 may be selected from at least one of triangular, rectangular or quadrangular in general , and circular or elliptic .

[0079] According to an example , all the flaps 8 have the same shape .

[0080] According to an alternative example , the flaps 8 have di f ferent shapes .

[0081] According to an embodiment , the shape of the flaps 8 may be symmetric with respect to a reference direction .

[0082] Preferably, the shape of the flaps 8 may be asymmetric with respect to a reference direction to increase the promotion of the turbulent flow .

[0083] Preferably, the flaps 8 may be uni formly distributed on the wall 5 . In this regard, according to a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the number of flaps 8 to the total area of the wall 5 may be 0.005 mm-2to 0.09 mm-2, preferably 0.01 mm-2to 0.07 mm-2, more preferably 0.023 mm-2to 0.045 mm-2, even more preferably 0.027 mm-2to 0.036 mm-2.

[0084] Further, preferably, the ratio of the total area of the flaps 8 to the total area of the wall 5 may be 0.01 to 0.5, preferably 0.02 to 0.4, more preferably 0.04 to 0.18.

[0085] With reference to the shown embodiments, preferably, each flap 8 comprises a portion contiguous with the wall 5 defining a folding line 9.

[0086] Further, the folding line 9 may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the folding line 9 may be inclined at an angle of 30 degrees or more, and more preferably perpendicular.

[0087] In other words, a normal of the surface forming the flap 8 may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the flap 8 may be inclined at an angle of 30 degrees or more, and more preferably perpendicular.

[0088] Additionally, each flap 8 may be preferably inclined of an angle of 1° to 180°, preferably of 5° to 80°, preferably 20° to 60°, more preferably 30° to 45°, with respect to a direction orthogonal to the folding line 9 and tangential to the wall 5.

[0089] Preferably, the wall 5 of the paper tube 4 may comprise a plurality of layers 10a, 10b. According to the example disclosed in the figures, the paper tube 4 may comprise two layers 10a, 10b, namely an outer layer 10a and an inner layer

[0090] 10b.

[0091] Preferably, the width of the wall 5 is 50 pm to 100 pm. According to further embodiments (not shown) , the paper tube 4 may comprise more than two layers.

[0092] Preferably, each flap 8 may comprise all the layers 10a, 10b.

[0093] Alternatively, each flap 8 may comprise only one of the layers 10a, 10b. Preferably, each flap 8 may comprise only the inner layer 10b.

[0094] Specifically, according to an embodiment, both layers 10a, 10b are cut and only the inner layer 10b is folded to form the flaps 8, while the cut portion of the outer layer 10a is removed .

[0095] In the example disclosed in Fig. 5, some of the flaps 8 comprise both layers 10a, 10b and some other flaps 8 comprise only one of the layers 10a, 10b, while the cut portions of the outer layer 10a are removed.

[0096] According to another embodiment (shown in Fig. 6) , only the inner layer 10b is cut and fold to form the flaps 8, while the outer layer 10a is neither cut nor fold.

[0097] Preferably, the paper tube 4 in accordance with the above description has a resistance to draw (RTD) (for example, measured according to ISO 6565) which is less than 10 mmWG (98 Pa) , more preferably less than 5 mmWG (49 Pa) , even more preferably less than 1 mmWG (9.8 Pa) , the most preferably 0 mmWG (0 Pa) .

[0098] According to a preferred embodiment, the paper tube 4 may comprise a coating of phase-change material. Preferably, the coating of phase-change material is applied on an internal surface of the paper tube 4. For example , phase-change material may be selected from one of polyvinyl alcohol ( PVA) , polyvinyl alcohol-acrylic acid- methyl methacrylate copolymer ( POVACOAT ) , ethylenevinyl acetate (EVA) , trehalose , maltose , sucrose , maltitol , glucose , waxes , and hardened oils .

[0099] Another example of a phase-change material is an aerosol former such as glycerine , propylene glycol , triacetin, 1 , 3- butanediol or a blend thereof . Furthermore , the addition of an aerosol former can also increase the amount of aerosol .

[0100] Preferably, a gelling agent may be added to the aerosol former . The mixture of the aerosol former and the gelling agent can be applied on the internal surface of the paper tube 4 .

[0101] The invention also relates to a method for reali zing an aerosol-generating article . Speci fically, the method relates to the production of the aerosol-generating article 1 of the invention .

[0102] The method comprises the step of providing the aerosolgenerating portion 2 , extending along a longitudinal direction and configured to generate an aerosol , and the filter portion 3 , arranged downstream of the aerosolgenerating portion 2 and extending along the longitudinal direction .

[0103] Additionally, the method comprises the step of providing the paper tube 4 and arranging it between the aerosol-generating portion 2 and the filter portion ( 3 ) along the longitudinal direction .

[0104] The aerosol-generating portion 2 , the filter portion 3 and the paper tube 4 are connected to each other by wrapping them with the tipping paper . According to the invention, the step of providing the paper tube 4 comprises the step of reali zing the plurality of proj ecting elements 7 .

[0105] Preferably, the step of reali zing the plurality of proj ecting elements 7 may comprise the step of cutting out portions of the wall 5 and folding the portions inward to reali ze the plurality of corresponding flaps 8 .

[0106] For example , the step of reali zing the plurality of proj ecting elements 7 may be performed by using a plurality of technologies . For example , the step of cutting out portions of the wall 5 may be reali zed by using a laser, while the step of folding the portions inward may be performed by using compressed air or by mechanical means .

[0107] For example , the step of reali zing the plurality of proj ecting elements 7 may be performed by reali zing both the step of cutting out portions of the wall 5 and the step of folding the portions inward at the same time during the production of the paper tube 4 .

[0108] Naturally, the description set forth herein above concerning embodiments and examples that apply the principles recogni zed by the inventors is provided solely by way of example of these principles and is therefore not to be understood as a limitation of the scope of the invention claimed herein . Thus , although detailed embodiments and examples have been described, they only serve to provide a better understanding of the invention defined by the independent claims and are not to be seen as limiting .

Claims

Claims1. An aerosol-generating article (1) comprising: an aerosol-generating portion (2) extending along a longitudinal direction and configured to generate an aerosol; a filter portion (3) arranged downstream of the aerosolgenerating portion (2) and extending along the longitudinal direction; a paper tube (4) arranged between the aerosol-generating portion (2) and the filter portion (3) along the longitudinal direction; the paper tube (4) comprising a wall (5) defining an internal hollow duct (6) to allow the passage of the aerosol from the aerosol-generating portion (2) to the filter portion ( 3 ) ; wherein the paper tube (4) comprises a plurality of projecting elements (7) projecting inward from the wall (5) .

2. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to claim 1, wherein each projecting element (7) comprises a flap (8) being a cutout of the wall (5) of the paper tube (4) folded inward .

3. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to claim 2, wherein the shape of each flap (8) is at least one of triangular, rectangular, and circular.

4. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each flap (8) presents an asymmetric shape.

5. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the flaps (8) are uniformly distributed on the wall (5) .

6. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the ratio of the number of flaps (8) to the total area of the wall (5) is 0.005 mm-2to 0.09 mm-2, preferably 0.01 mm-2to 0.07 mm-2, more preferably 0.023mm-2to 0.045 mm-2, even more preferably 0.027 mm-2to 0.036 mm-2.

7. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the ratio of the total area of the flaps (8) to the total area of the wall (5) is 0.01 to 0.5, preferably 0.02 to 0.4, more preferably 0.04 to 0.18.

8. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein each flap (8) comprises a portion contiguous with the wall (5) defining a folding line (9) .

9. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to claim 8, wherein the folding line (9) is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, preferably inclined at an angle of 30 degrees or more, and more preferably perpendicular.

10. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each flap (8) is inclined of an angle of 1° to 180°, preferably of 5° to 80°, preferably 20° to 60°, more preferably 30° to 45°, with respect to a direction orthogonal to the folding line (9) and tangential to the wall (5) .

11. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the wall (5) of the paper tube (4) comprises a plurality of layers (10a, 10b) ; wherein each flap (8) comprises all the layers (10a, 10b) .

12. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the wall (5) of the paper tube (4) comprises a plurality of layers (10a, 10b) ; wherein each flap (8) comprises only one of the layers (10a, 10b) .

13. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to claim 12, wherein the wall (5) of the paper tube (4) comprises an outer layer (10a) and an inner layer (10b) ; wherein each flap (8)19 comprises only the inner layer (10b) and the outer layer (10a) is uncut.

14. An aerosol-generating article (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the paper tube (4) comprises a coating of phase-change material.

15. Method for realizing an aerosol-generating article (1) comprising the steps of: providing an aerosol-generating portion (2) extending along a longitudinal direction and configured to generate an aerosol ; providing a filter portion (3) arranged downstream of the aerosol-generating portion (2) and extending along the longitudinal direction; providing a paper tube (4) and arranging it between the aerosol-generating portion (2) and the filter portion (3) along the longitudinal direction; the paper tube (4) comprising a wall (5) defining an internal hollow duct (6) to allow the passage of the aerosol from the aerosol-generating portion (2) to the filter portion (3) ; wherein the step of providing the paper tube (4) comprises the step of realizing a plurality of projecting elements (7) projecting inward from the wall (5) .

16. Method for realizing an aerosol-generating article (1) according to claim 15, wherein the step of realizing the plurality of projecting elements (7) comprises the step of cutting out portions of the wall (5) and folding the portions inward to realize a plurality of corresponding flaps (8) .

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