Aerosol-forming device with separate aroma release for nasal intake

Abstract

An aerosol-forming device comprising: an air inlet for receiving an airflow from an outside environment of the aerosol-forming device, a heating chamber configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article or substrate, an aerosol outlet, a first air path structure fluidically connecting the air inlet to the heating chamber and the heating chamber to the aerosol outlet, an aroma release chamber configured to removably receive an aroma-releasing consumable, an aroma outlet, a second air path structure fluidically connecting the aroma outlet to the aroma release chamber and the aroma release chamber to the first air path structure, wherein the second air path structure passively supplies air from the first air path structure to the aroma release chamber such that an aroma released from the aroma-releasing consumable is releasable through the aroma outlet to the outside environment during a puff of a user.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL-FORMING DEVICE WITH SEPARATE AROMA RELEASE FOR NASAL INTAKE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-forming device. The present disclosure further relates to an aroma-releasing consumable for use with an aerosol-forming device and a method for releasing an aroma for nasal intake from an aerosol-forming device.

[0003] Aerosol-forming or aerosol-generating devices are typically designed as handheld devices that can be used by a user for consuming or experiencing, for instance in one or more usage sessions, aerosol generated from an aerosol-forming substrate or an aerosol-forming article, for example by heating. The aerosol-forming devices the present disclosure pertains to are mainly directed to the field of tobacco and tobacco-substitute products, as well as e-vapor devices, for example heated tobacco products (HTP), heat-not-burn devices, electronic cigarettes, e-vapor devices, and / or vaporisers. The aerosol-forming devices of the present disclosure may also pertain to other types of inhalers, dispensers, or atomizers, for example inhalers, dispensers, or atomizers for medical applications.

[0004] Typical aerosol-forming systems can be designed as one-part systems or devices including an aerosol-forming device that can be operated by a user to generate aerosol. Alternatively, aerosol-forming systems can be designed as two-part systems or devices comprising an aerosolforming device and a companion device for storing and / or charging the aerosol-forming device. In either design or configuration, the aerosol-forming system or device can be used by a user for consuming or inhaling, for instance in one or more usage sessions, aerosol generated based on heating an aerosol-forming article or substrate couplable to the aerosol-forming system. In the context of the present disclosure, an aerosol-forming device can refer to both a one-part device and a two-part device, unless explicitly specified otherwise.

[0005] The aerosol-forming article, also referred to as aerosol-generating article, can comprise an aerosol-generating or aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco or nicotine-containing substrate. The aerosol-forming article may be configured in shape and size to be inserted at least partially into the aerosol-forming device or system. In conventional systems or devices, the aerosol-forming article is usually formed as a stick that can be at least partly inserted into a cavity or heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device for aerosol consumption. Insertion of the sticklike shaped aerosol-forming article into the cavity, however, can potentially damage the aerosolforming article, which may potentially affect an experience for a user, for example in terms of taste or homogeneity of the experience. Also, inserting the aerosol-forming article into and removing it from the cavity of conventional systems may, at least for some users or in certain scenarios, be cumbersome.

[0006] Exemplary aerosol-forming substrates can comprise solid substrate material, such as tobacco material or tobacco cast leaves (TCL) material. The substrate material can, for example, be assembled, often with other elements or components, to form a substantially stick-shaped aerosol-forming article. Such a stick or aerosol-forming article can be configured in shape and size to be inserted at least partially into the aerosol-forming device. The aerosol-forming device may comprise a heating element or heater device for heating the aerosol-forming article and / or the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element or heater device may be part of the aerosolforming article and / or the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively or additionally, aerosol-forming substrates can comprise one or more liquids and / or solids, which can, for example, be supplied to the aerosol-forming device in the form of a cartridge or container. Corresponding exemplary aerosol-forming articles can, for example, comprise a cartridge containing or fillable with the liquid and / or solid substrate, which can be vaporized during aerosol consumption by the user based on heating the substrate and / or liquid. Usually, such cartridge or container can be coupled to, attached to or at least partially inserted into the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively, the cartridge may be fixedly mounted to the aerosol-forming device and refilled by inserting liquid and / or solid into the cartridge. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate or article may comprise or include one or more of nicotine, aroma, sugar, moisturising agent, botanicals, preservative, flavouring, for example cocoa, liquorice, menthol and lactic acid or other additives. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate or article may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more pharmaceutical agents or drugs and may include one or more adjuvants.

[0007] For generating the aerosol during use or consumption, heat can be supplied by a heating element, heater device or heat source to heat at least a portion or part of the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element, heater device or heat source can be arranged in the handheld device or a handheld part of the aerosol-forming device. Alternatively or additionally, at least a part of or the entire heating element or heater device or heat source can be fixedly associated with or arranged within an aerosol-forming article, for instance in the form of a stick or cartridge, which can be attached to and / or powered by the handheld device or handheld part of the aerosolforming device.

[0008] Exemplary heating elements or heater devices can be based on one or more of resistive heating, inductive heating and microwave heating using electrical energy supplied via, drawn from or stored in an energy storage or battery of the aerosol-forming device. As used herein, a battery of the aerosol-forming device can generally refer to an energy storage of the aerosol-forming device configured to store electrical energy. Accordingly, the term energy storage can include one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, one or more accumulators or other types of energy storage. Also, any reference to a battery herein can include a plurality of batteries.

[0009] Typically, aerosol-forming devices comprise an energy storage, for example a battery, providing the electrical energy needed to operate the aerosol-forming device and especially for heating the aerosol-forming substrate and / or article, for example to generate aerosol in one or more usage sessions using one or more aerosol-forming articles. The battery may, for example, be a lithium-ion battery.

[0010] As used herein, a usage session may refer to a period of time, during which a user may use the device to generate, consume, experience or inhale aerosol using the aerosol-forming device. Therein, a usage session may be finite. In other words, a usage session may have a start, an end and a duration. The duration of the usage session as measured by time may be influenced by use during the usage session. The duration of the usage session may have a maximum duration determined by a maximum time from the start of the usage session. The duration of the usage session may be less than the maximum time if one or more monitored parameters reaches a predetermined threshold before the maximum time from the start of the usage session. By way of example, the one or more monitored parameters may comprise one or more of: i) a cumulative puff count of a series of puffs drawn by a user since the start of the usage session, and ii) a cumulative volume of aerosol evolved from the aerosol-forming substrate since the start of the usage session.

[0011] The aerosol provided by aerosol-forming devices typically has a different composition than smoke from conventional cigarettes or other tobacco products. While this may be one of the benefits, some users may consider the aerosol to be less aromatic or to lack certain flavors or notes in comparison to conventional tobacco smoke. This may be a hinderance for users wishing to stop smoking conventional tobacco products.

[0012] Additionally, aerosol provided by aerosol-forming devices may usually be inhaled from a mouthpiece. Therefore, only very little or none of the aerosol is released without the user directly puffing on the device. This leads to only very little nasal uptake of the aerosol. However, nasal uptake may usually play a large role in the perception of flavors and aromas. The lack of nasal uptake may therefore exacerbate the feeling of less flavor in the aerosol.

[0013] It may therefore be desirable to provide for an improved aerosol-forming device providing the user with an improved aroma and / or flavor experience. For example, it may be desirable to provide an improved aerosol-forming device with improved nasal uptake of flavor and / or aroma.

[0014] These advantages may be achieved by the features described herein.

[0015] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-forming device comprising: an air inlet for receiving an airflow from an outside environment of the aerosol-forming device, a heating chamber configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article or substrate, an aerosol outlet, a first air path structure fluidically connecting the air inlet to the heating chamber and the heating chamber to the aerosol outlet, an aroma release chamber configured to removably receive an aroma-releasing consumable, an aroma outlet, a second air path structure fluidically connecting the aroma outlet to the aroma release chamber and the aroma release chamber to the first air path structure, wherein the second air path structure passively supplies air from the first air path structure to the aroma release chamber such that an aroma released from the aroma-releasing consumable is releasable through the aroma outlet to the outside environment during a puff of a user.

[0016] The aerosol-forming device according to the present disclosure may therefore provide, in addition to the aerosol-forming article or substrate, an aroma-releasing consumable configured to provide the user with an aroma released from the aroma outlet in addition to the aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate released from the aerosol outlet. This additional aroma may be meant and / or configured for nasal uptake by the user. The aroma-releasing consumable may therefore comprise one or more substrates and / or substances configured to release a desired aroma and / or flavor. For example, the aromas and / or flavors may correspond to and / or imitate aromas and / or flavors released by smoking conventional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, kreteks and pipes. However, other aromas and flavors may also be used. The user’s sensory experience may therefore be improved by more closely imitating the sensory experience of conventional tobacco products and / or by other enhancements of the sensory experience.

[0017] The device’s air inlet may also be described as a main air inlet or a common air inlet. The air inlet may be the only inlet for air from an outside environment into the first and / or the second air path structure. In other words, the air inlet may be a common air inlet for both the first and the second air path structure. The airflow from the outside environment and through the air inlet may therefore be provided to the first and / or the second air path structure. The air inlet may be indirectly connected to the second air path structure through the first air path structure. This may mean that air coming from the air inlet does not directly enter the second air path structure, but first passes through at least a portion of the first air path structure. The first air path structure may form a continuous channel from the air inlet through the heating chamber to the aerosol outlet. The second air path structure may be a separate structure from the first air path structure. The second air path structure may not be a part of the first air path structure, but may branch from the first air path structure, forming a separate channel. The second air path structure may therefore form a branch-off or fork at its connection to the first air path structure.

[0018] The heating chamber for the aerosol-forming article or substrate and the aroma release chamber for the aroma-releasing consumable may be arranged as two separate compartments of the aerosol-forming device. While they may share common elements, as will be described in more detail below, they may provide separate reception spaces for the aerosol-forming article or substrate and the aroma-releasing consumable. For example, the reception spaces provided by the heating chamber and the aroma release chamber may be separated by a part of the housing of the aerosol-forming device, for example by a wall. The aerosol outlet and the aroma outlet may be arranged as separate outlets. They may not share a common outlet opening. For example, the aerosol outlet and the aroma outlet may be arranged at different positions on the outer surface of the aerosol-forming device, as described in more detail below. The aerosol outlet may be arranged on the mouthpiece of the aerosolforming device so that a user may inhale the aerosol released from the aerosol outlet from the mouthpiece. The aroma outlet may be arranged distanced from the mouthpiece in a way that ensures that the aroma outlet is not covered by the mouth or lips of a user when the user puffs on the mouthpiece. In this way, nasal intake of the aroma released from the aroma outlet may be facilitated.

[0019] As mentioned, the second air path structure is configured to passively supply air from the first air path structure to the aroma release chamber during a puff of a user. This may mean that the airflow effected by the puff of the user, i.e. by the user drawing on the mouthpiece, enters the aerosol-forming device through the air inlet, flows through the first air path structure to the mouthpiece, and simultaneously flows through the second air path structure to the aroma release chamber and the aroma outlet. The airflow in the second air path structure may therefore also be effected by the puff of the user. Particularly, the airflow in the second air path structure may branch off the airflow in the first air path structure. That this supply of air for the second air path structure is passively provided from the first air path structure may mean that no additional component actively transporting, for example pumping, air into the second air path structure is necessary. The air simply flows from the first air path structure into the second air path structure, through the aroma release chamber and to the aroma outlet. The solution provided herein therefore is of low complexity and is very cost-effective to implement. Also, the aroma for nasal uptake may be released from the aroma outlet simultaneously with the user puffing on the device, because the airflow for aroma release is effected by said puff. Conversely, when the user does not puff on the device, no aroma may be released.

[0020] For example, the second air path structure may be connected to the first air path structure via a tubular element arranged at least partly inside the first air path structure. The tubular element may be or may include a hollow tube, for example a cylindrical hollow tube. Other shapes may also be possible, however, for example an oval, a rectangular or a polygonal hollow tube. The tubular element may be configured to receive air from the airflow in the first air path structure and guide the airflow into the second air path structure. For example, the tubular element may comprise a free end arranged in the first air path structure and may comprise a second or connection end connecting the tubular element, in particular the hollow interior space of the tubular element, to the second air path structure. The internal diameter or clearance of the tubular element may correspond to the internal diameter or clearance of the second air path structure so that there may be a smooth transition between the tubular element and the second air path structure, particularly their inside surfaces. However, to influence the airflow provided in the second air path structure and / or to influence the resistance to draw of the aerosol-forming device, there may be embodiments in which the internal diameter or clearance of the tubular element may be greater or smaller than the internal diameter or clearance of the second air path structure. This may lead to an increase or decrease of pressure and / or airflow speed in the second airflow structure.

[0021] The tubular element may be at least partially arranged parallel to a direction of airflow in the first air path structure. In other words, at least a part of the tubular element may be arranged parallel to a direction of airflow in the first air path structure. Particularly, the part of the tubular element comprising or ending with the free end may be arranged parallel to a direction of airflow in the first air path structure. Herein, that the tubular element or parts thereof are arranged parallel to a direction may mean that the tubular element is configured so that the direction of the airflow inside the tubular element or the part thereof is directed parallel to said direction. The tubular element and the first air path structure may be arranged such that a flow axis of airflow inside the tubular element or inside at least a part of the tubular element is arranged coaxially with a flow axis of airflow inside the first air path structure. For the purposes of the present disclosure, that there is a flow axis of airflow inside the tubular element and / or the air path structures may mean that the tubular element and / or the air path structures comprise guiding surfaces, for example the inner surfaces, actively guiding airflow in and / or into the axial direction of the flow axis. Random flow directions, for example turbulent flow, may be ignored and may not contribute to the definition of the flow axis.

[0022] The tubular element may include an opening directed against the direction of the airflow in the first air path structure. The opening may be arranged on the free end of the tubular element. Air from the airflow in the first air path structure may enter the tubular element through the opening. The outside surface of the tubular element around and / or in the area of the opening may comprise a bevel and / or a beveled surface such that the outer diameter of the tubular element increases from the free end and / or the opening in the direction of the airflow in the first air path structure and / or the tubular element. This may provide the tubular element, particularly the free end, with an aerodynamic shape, thereby mitigating detrimental effects of the presence of the tubular element in the first air path structure on the airflow and the resistance to draw.

[0023] The size of the opening and the internal diameter of the tubular element may be chosen so that the airflow in the second air path structure is sufficient for the aroma release while simultaneously ensuring that the bulk of the airflow in the first air path structure is provided to the user as aerosol. For example, the internal diameter of the tubular element and / or the diameter of the opening of the tubular element may be 15% to 75%, for example 25% to 60% or 33% to 50%, or 38% to 45%, of the internal diameter of the first air path structure. The internal diameter may refer to the clearance of the tubular element and / or the opening and / or the air path structures. They may be measured in a radial direction of the flow axis or central flow axis of airflow inside the respective element or structure.

[0024] The tubular element, particularly at least the part of the tubular element arranged in parallel to the direction of airflow in the first air path structure, i.e. the part comprising the free end, may be arranged in the middle or center of the first air path structure. In other words, the flow axis or central flow axis of the tubular element, particularly of at least the part of the tubular element comprising the free end, may be arranged coaxially with the flow axis or central flow axis of the first air path structure. For instance, this may mean that the tubular element and the first air path structure are arranged such that a distance between the flow axis of airflow inside the tubular element and the inner surface of the first air path structure is equal in all radial directions of the flow axis of airflow inside the tubular element. This may particularly be applicable to a crosssection of the first air path structure and / or the tubular element in an orthogonal direction of the respective flow axes.

[0025] The free end of the tubular element, i.e. the end comprising the opening, may comprise or constitute a straight section of the tubular element. In other words, the opening of the tubular element may be followed, in the direction of the airflow inside the tubular element, by a straight section. All of the explanations above with regard to the tubular element may particularly be applicable to this straight part or section of the tubular element. Fluidically connected to this straight section, the tubular element may include a curved portion or section. The curved portion or section may directly follow the straight portion or section, for example downstream of the straight portion or section with regard to the direction of airflow in the tubular element. For example, the tubular element may include a curved portion or section changing a flow direction of air and / or aerosol inside the tubular element from a flow direction of air and / or aerosol inside the first air path structure by at least 10°, for example by at least 30° or by at least 45° or by at least 60° or by at least 75° or by at least 90° or by at least 105° or by at least 120° or by at least 135° or by at least 150°. Particularly, the airflow direction in the tubular element may be changed from a direction parallel to the airflow in the first air path structure to the direction of airflow in the second air path structure by the curved portion or section. The specific degree in which the direction is changed may be chosen with regard to structural demands, but may also take into account the effects on the airflow in the first and the second air path structures as well as the resistance to draw of the aerosol-forming device.

[0026] In a specific example, the tubular element may be or may include a pitot tube, for example a simple pitot tube free of a static pressure tube. Such tubes are known from flow velocity measurement applications and are suitable for passively supplying the aroma release chamber with an airflow from the first air path structure by creating an overpressure in the second air path structure and the aroma release chamber by the airflow in the first air path structure alone. They may therefore constitute suitable embodiments of the tubular element according to the present disclosure. In flow velocity measurement applications, pitot tubes may comprise an additional static pressure tube. However, to keep complexity and costs low, the static pressure tube may be dispensed with and a simple pitot tube without such a static pressure tube may be used.

[0027] The aerosol-forming device may comprise a first housing part and a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part such that the first and the second housing parts are movable relative to each other. Particularly, they may be movable between an open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive and / or remove the aerosol-forming article or substrate, and a use position, in which the heating chamber is connected to the outside environment solely by the first and second air path structure (not counting potentially additional air inlets of the nucleation chamber, see below). The movement may, for example, be a rotational movement around a hinge connecting the first housing part and the second housing part. Alternatively, the moment may be a linear movement, for example a linear sliding movement. The first and / or the second housing part may comprise guiding and / or rail structures which may allow sliding the first and / or the second housing part at least partly into each other.

[0028] The first housing part may be a mouthpiece portion of the aerosol-forming device. The first housing part may include the mouthpiece. The first housing part may include the aerosol outlet and may include at least part of a downstream airflow path of the heating chamber. The downstream airflow path of the heating chamber may be part of the first air path structure and be arranged downstream of the heating chamber in terms of the airflow through the first air path structure. The downstream airflow path may connect the heating chamber to the aerosol outlet and may therefore conduct aerosol from the heating chamber to the aerosol outlet and ultimately to the user. The downstream airflow path, particularly the part of the downstream airflow path in the first housing part, may comprise a nucleation chamber. The nucleation chamber may improve aerosol quality by mixing the aerosol and possibly mixing fresh air from the outside environment into the aerosol.

[0029] The second housing part may be a device body of the aerosol-forming device. The second housing part may include further components of the device, for example an energy storage, a controller and connectivity and communications interfaces. The second housing part may include the aroma release chamber and may include the aroma outlet.

[0030] Several components of the aerosol-forming device may be arranged partly on the first housing part and partly on the second housing part. For example, the first air path structure may be at least partly arranged between the first and the second housing part in such a way that at least a part of the first air path structure as explained herein is formed when the first housing part and the second housing part are in the use position. For example, at least part of the first air path structure may comprise a groove or channel on one of the first and the second housing parts and may be covered or closed by the respective other housing part in the use position so that the first air path structure is formed. Similarly, the heating chamber may be arranged partly on the first housing part and partly on the second housing part. By moving the first and second housing parts relative to each other, the heating chamber may be opened or closed for example for inserting or removing an aerosol-forming article or substrate.

[0031] The second air path structure may also be split between the first and the second housing part. For example, the second air path structure may include a first air path portion arranged in the first housing part and a second air path portion arranged in the second housing part. The first air path portion arranged in the first housing part may be fluidically connected to the first air path structure, for example through or by the tubular element. The second air path portion arranged in the second housing part may be fluidically connected to the aroma release chamber. The first and the second air path portion may be fluidically connected to each other when the first and the second housing parts are in the use position. Conversely, the first and the second air path portions may be disconnected and distanced from each other when the first and the second housing parts are in the open position.

[0032] To secure an airtight seal between the first and the second air path portions in the use position, a sealing device, for example an elastic ring or lip may be provided. The sealing device may be configured to be in contact with both the first and the second air path portions in the use position to provide an airtight seal between these portions. The sealing device may comprise or may be made of elastomeric compounds complying with regulations such as FDA CFR177.2600, 3-A, USP Class VI, Cytotoxicity (USP 87), NSF, KTW, and WRAS. Particularly, the sealing device may comprise or may be made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) compounds, including silicone-based compounds of these, ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) polymeric compounds as non-polar hydrocarbon based elastomers, perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) compounds, fluoroelastomer (FKM) compounds, and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) compounds.

[0033] The position where the second air path structure connects to the first air path structure may influence the type and composition of the aroma released from the aroma outlet. For example, the second air path structure may be fluidically connected to the first air path structure upstream of the heating chamber in terms of the airflow direction in the first air path structure. In this case, at the position of the connection, the first air path structure is filled with fresh air from the outside environment. Consequently, the second air path structure may also be filled with fresh air, which may then enter the aroma release chamber and exit the aroma outlet along with the aroma released from the aroma-releasing consumable. In an alternative embodiment, the second air path structure may be fluidically connected to the first air path structure downstream of the heating chamber in terms of the airflow direction in the first air path structure. In this case, at the position of the connection, the first air path structure may be filled with aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate in the heating chamber. Consequently, the second air path structure may also be filled with aerosol, which may then enter the aroma release chamber and exit the aroma outlet along with the aroma released from the aroma-releasing consumable. In this case, therefore, a mixture of aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate in the heating chamber and aroma from the aroma-releasing consumable in the aroma release chamber is released through the aroma outlet. This may enhance a user’s sensory experience because the flavor and / or aroma of the aerosol-forming article or substrate is present both in the aerosol inhalable from the mouthpiece and the aroma for nasal uptake released from the aroma outlet.

[0034] In general, the aroma-releasing consumable may continuously release aroma at ambient or room temperatures. Aroma may therefore be released simply by the airflow through or past the aroma-releasing consumable. However, consumables of this type may also deplete during times in which the user does not even use the aerosol-forming device. It may therefore be provided that the aroma-releasing consumable is configured to release aroma at a temperature higher than ambient or room temperature. The aroma release chamber may include at least one heating element configured to heat the aroma-releasing consumable. Particularly, the heating element may be configured to heat the aroma-releasing consumable when or exclusively when a user puffs on the aerosol-forming device. In this way, aroma may be released from the consumable on demand only, decreasing waste of aroma and improving usability of the aroma-releasing consumable. For heating the aroma-releasing consumable, the same heating principles as applied to the aerosol-forming article or substrate may be implemented, for example resistive heating, inductive heating, microwave or dielectric heating. The heating element of the aroma release chamber may be controlled by the controller of the aerosol-forming device to activate simultaneously with a heating device or heating element of the heating chamber. For example, the heating elements may be activated when a puff is detected by a puff sensor.

[0035] While it is possible to provide the aroma release chamber with a separate heating element, separate from the heating element or heating device of the heating chamber, a structurally less complex solution may be achieved by utilizing the heating device or heating element of the heating chamber to also heat the aroma-releasing consumable. For instance, it may be provided that the heating chamber comprises at least one heating element configured to heat the aerosol-forming article or substrate. The heating element of the aroma release chamber and the heating element of the heating chamber may be thermally connected or coupled to each other such that the heating element of the aroma release chamber is heatable by the heating element of the heating chamber. In other words, the heating element of the aroma release chamber may be a functional and / or structural extension of the heating element of the heating chamber. The heating element of the aroma release chamber may be configured to heat the aroma-releasing consumable when the heating element of the heating chamber heats the aerosol-forming article or substrate. This may be achieved, for example, by heating the heating element of the aroma release chamber by the heating element of the heating chamber so that in turn, the heating element of the aroma release chamber heats the aroma-releasing consumable. To make the thermal coupling of the heating element of the aroma release chamber and the heating element of the heating chamber especially efficient, the heating element of the aroma release chamber and the heating element of the heating chamber may form a single common heating element. In other words, the heating element of the aroma release chamber and the heating element of the heating chamber may be two sections of a single integral heating element. This single heating element may be configured and / or arranged to span, at least partly and particularly completely, both the heating chamber and the aroma release chamber. During use, at least one side of the heating chamber adjacent to the aerosol-forming article or substrate and at least one side of the aroma release chamber adjacent to the aroma-releasing consumable may be at least partly and particularly completely constituted by the single heating element. The aroma release chamber, the heating chamber and the single heating element may be arranged such that, in use, the aroma-releasing consumable in the aroma release chamber and the aerosol-forming article or substrate in the heating chamber are arranged on opposite sides of the single heating element.

[0036] In a practical implementation, the heating element of the heating chamber may include at least one heat source and at least one heat dissipating element heatable by the heat source. The heat dissipating element may be partly arranged in the heating chamber and in the aroma release chamber. Through the heat dissipating element, the heat from the heat source may be distributed both in the heating chamber and the aroma release chamber. The heat source may be exclusively arranged in the heating chamber.

[0037] To improve the thermal coupling of the aroma-releasing consumable to the heating element, the aroma release chamber may include a consumable receptacle configured to receive the aroma-releasing consumable. The consumable receptable may include a heat dissipating material and may be thermally connected to the heat dissipating element. For example, the consumable receptacle may be configured in a corresponding shape to the aroma-releasing consumable, for example so that an aroma-releasing consumable in the aroma release chamber may be contacted by the consumable receptacle on at least two sides. The consumable receptacle may be configured as a pan or socket for receiving the aroma-releasing consumable. In this way, the heat from the heating element may be transmitted to the aroma-releasing consumable through the consumable receptacle.

[0038] As explained, the aroma-releasing consumable may be seated on the heating element and / or the heat dissipating element and / or the consumable receptacle. To ensure sufficient perfusion of the aroma-releasing consumable by the air or aerosol flow in the second air path portion, it may be provided that the aroma-releasing consumable is perfused through the heating element and / or the heat dissipating element and / or the consumable receptacle. To achieve this, the at least one heating element of the aroma release chamber and / or the heat dissipating element and / or the consumable receptacle may be arranged in the second air path structure and / or the aroma release chamber such that air and / or aerosol is guided along and / or through the at least one heating element and / or the heat dissipating element and / or the consumable receptacle of the aroma release chamber. To this end, the at least one heating element and / or the heat dissipating element and / or the consumable receptacle may be permeable for air and / or aerosol. For example, the at least one heating element and / or the heat dissipating element and / or the consumable receptacle may include at least one channel, a porous material and / or a mesh. By providing close contact between the air or aerosol flowing through the second air path structure and the aroma-releasing consumable, sufficient saturation with aroma can be achieved.

[0039] For example, the heat dissipating element and / or the consumable receptacle may include or may be made of a porous ceramic of high thermal conductivity, optionally having a basic pore structure such as open-cell (or reticulated) with meso-porosity (2 nm < d < 50 nm), and / or microporosity (d < 2 nm). Porosity may be about 45% to 85%, for example about 65% to 75%. Pore size distribution may be within 3 nm - 0.21 mm. These materials may exhibit low density, large specific surface area, high toughness, strong thermal shock resistance, and good thermal conductivity capability. The ceramic material may include diamond, cubic boron nitride, carbon fibre, and carbon nano tubes ceramic compounds, such as oxide ceramics and beryllia compound formulations, diamond or cubic boron nitride (cBN), carbon based compounds like single-wall carbon nanotubes, as well as aluminium / diamond, copper / diamond, and copper / cubic boron nitride ceramic compound formulations.

[0040] A temperature profile for aroma release in the aroma release chamber may be different than a temperature profile for aerosol ization in the heating chamber. For example, the aroma-releasing consumable may be configured to release aroma at a different temperature than the temperature needed to release aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate. The aroma release chamber may be arranged more closely to the outer surface of the aerosol-forming device than the heating chamber. Therefore, the thermal insulation between the aroma release chamber and the outside environment and potentially the fingers of a user may be less than between the heating chamber and the outside environment. It may therefore be provided that a heating temperature in the aroma release chamber during the puff of the user may be smaller than a heating temperature in the heating chamber. Consequently, the aroma-releasing consumable may be configured to release aroma at a smaller temperature than the temperature needed to release aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate. Despite less efficient thermal insulation of the aroma release chamber in comparison to the heating chamber, a user’s fingers may thus be sufficiently protected from heat.

[0041] The aroma release chamber may include a door which may be configured to open and close the aroma release chamber to the outside environment of the aerosol-forming device. For instance, the door may be movably coupled to the aerosol-forming device, such that the door may be movable between a loading position, in which the aroma release chamber is accessible to receive and / or remove the aroma-releasing consumable, and a closed position, in which the aroma release chamber is connected to the outside environment solely by the first and second air path structure. In the loading position, the aroma release chamber may be open to the outside environment so that the aroma-releasing consumable may be inserted into the aroma release chamber or so that a depleted aroma-releasing consumable may be removed from the aroma release chamber. In the closed position, the aroma release chamber may be closed to the outside environment so that aroma may be released from an aroma-releasing consumable in the aroma release chamber during a usage session and / or a puff of the user. For example, the door may be rotatably coupled to one of the housing parts of the aerosol-forming device, particularly the housing part including the aroma release chamber. The coupling may comprise a hinge defining a rotational axis around which the door may be rotated or swiveled.

[0042] The door of the aroma release chamber may be arranged on the first housing part or on the second housing part, in the region adjacent or directly adjacent the respective other housing part in the use position. For instance, the door of the aroma release chamber may be arranged on the first housing part or on the second housing part such that the respective other housing part abuts the door of the aroma release chamber in the use position. To make sure that the aroma release chamber is never open during use of the aerosol-forming device, the door and / or the first and / or second housing parts may be configured, shaped and / or arranged so that the door of the aroma release chamber is mechanically closed when the first and second housing parts transition from the open position into the use position. For example, the first housing part or the second housing part may include a stopping surface configured to press the door into the closed position when the first and second housing parts transition from the open position into the use position. The stopping surface may therefore be configured to move, swivel or rotate the door of the aroma release chamber into the closed position when the first and second housing parts are moved into the usage position from the open position.

[0043] To add a further layer of security, the stopping surface may be configured to lock the door in the closed position when the first and second housing parts are in the use position. For example, the stopping surface may abut or contact the door of the aroma release chamber when the first and second housing parts are in the use position, thereby mechanically preventing opening the door. In other words, the door of the aroma release chamber may only be opened when the first and second housing parts of the aroma-forming device are in the open position. This prevents the user from opening the aroma release chamber during use, when the aromareleasing consumable may be heated and therefore pose a hazard for the user.

[0044] In a particular embodiment, the aroma release chamber and optionally also the door may be arranged on the second housing part, while the stopping surface may be included in the first housing part. The door of the aroma release chamber may be rotatably fixed to the second housing part by a hinge.

[0045] In general, the aroma outlet may be arranged anywhere in the vicinity of the aroma release chamber. For example, the aroma outlet may be provided between the door of the aroma release chamber and the housing part on which the aroma release chamber and / or the door is arranged, for example the first housing part or the second housing part. Alternatively, the door of the aroma release chamber may include the aroma outlet. The aroma outlet in the door of the aroma release chamber may be or may include at least one opening, a channel, a porous material, a grid and / or a mesh. The aroma outlet may therefore be provided so that the aroma is released through the door of the aroma release chamber. Such an arrangement may provide the shortest connection between the aroma release chamber and the outside environment, therefore providing the highest quality of aroma for nasal intake by the user.

[0046] The door of the aroma release chamber may include at least one protruding element on an inner surface of the door facing the aroma release chamber, for example wherein the protruding element has a polygonal or conical or cylindrical shape. The protruding element may protrude from the inner surface of the door into the aroma release chamber, particularly in the direction of the aroma-releasing consumable in the aroma release chamber. The protruding element may be used to position or to hold the aroma-releasing consumable in the desired position inside the aroma release chamber. For example, the at least one protruding element may be pressable against the aroma-releasing consumable when the door is in the closed position. By the pressure of the protruding element, the aroma-releasing consumable may be pressed into and / or held in the consumable receptacle. Also, the thermal contact between the aroma-releasing consumable and the heating element of the aroma release chamber may be improved for more efficient heat transfer to the consumable.

[0047] The protruding element may thus contact the aroma-releasing consumable. It may therefore be desirable that the protruding element fulfills medical grade requirements. The protruding element may be made of or comprise a polymeric compound and / or a metallic alloy, for example a compound oralloy of medical grade as certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Union (EU) according to EU MDR / EU 2017 / 745. Suitable polymeric compounds may be polyether ether ketone (PEEK), other polyaryletherketones (PAEKs) or poly-e- caprolactone (PCL). Suitable metallic alloys may be stainless-steel alloys, particularly non-ferritic alloys, such as austenitic alloys. Specific examples may include 316L, BioDur 108, BioDur 316LS (316LVM), and BioDur 734; Suitable martensitic alloys may include 410, 416, 420, 440A / C, and TrimRite; Suitable stainless steel alloys may include H-grade alloys, particularly: Custom 455, Custom 465, Custom 470, and Custom 630 (17-4).

[0048] Additionally, the protruding element may improve the aroma release to the aroma outlet. For this, the protruding element may be configured to distance the inner surface of the door from the aroma-releasing consumable such that an open space inside the aroma release chamber is provided between the inner surface of the door and the aroma-releasing consumable when the door is in the closed position. The open space may be provided by the protruding element by distancing the aroma-releasing consumable from the inner surface of the door as well as by pushing into the aroma-releasing consumable and thereby pushing some of the material of the aroma-releasing consumable away from the inside surface or inner surface of the door. The open space provided in this way may be connected to the aroma outlet and may act as a collection chamber in which the aroma released from the aroma-releasing consumable is collected before exiting through the aroma outlet. This prevents the aroma-releasing consumable from contacting or being pressed against the inside surface of the door and the aroma outlet. In this case, the aroma would have to be transported to the aroma outlet through the aroma-releasing consumable and could only exit or be released from the consumable at the location of the aroma outlet. By providing the open space between the inside surface of the door and the aroma-releasing consumable, the aroma may exit or be released from the consumable on a much bigger surface area of the consumable and then exit through the aroma outlet. The open space may, in this way, improve the quality of the aroma and provide for a more homogeneous depletion of the aromareleasing consumable.

[0049] In principle, one single opening in or through the door of the aroma release chamber may be sufficient as the aroma outlet. However, the aroma outlet may include two or more openings in or through the door of the aroma release chamber, for example so that more aroma is released or so that the released aroma is provided over a larger area on the outside surface of the aerosolforming device. For example, the aroma outlet may include at least two openings to the outside environment. However, more than two openings may also be provided, for example three, four, five or more than five openings. To ensure easy and homogeneous release of the aroma from the aroma release chamber, it may be provided that the open space inside the aroma release chamber may be in fluid connection to the at least two openings, for example all the openings, included in the aroma outlet. In this way, the aroma may be released from a large surface area of the aroma-releasing consumable and then be evenly distributed between the openings of the aroma outlet. As already mentioned, the aroma provided to the aroma outlet is meant for nasal uptake by the user. Therefore, it may be provided that the aerosol outlet is arranged on the aerosol-forming device in a region which is close to the nose of the user whenever a user takes a puff on the mouthpiece of the aerosol-forming device. To facilitate this, the aroma may be released through the aroma outlet in a different direction than the aerosol is released through the aerosol outlet and / or the mouthpiece. In the present disclosure, that the aroma or the aerosol is released in a direction may pertain to the flow direction of the aroma and / or the aerosol through the aroma outlet and / or the aerosol outlet during a puff of the user. In particular, the aerosol outlet and the aroma outlet may be arranged on the aerosol-forming device such that the aroma is released from the aroma outlet in a direction transverse to a direction in which an aerosol is released from the aerosol outlet. For example, the direction in which the aroma is released from the aroma outlet may be transverse by at least 15° or by at least 30° or by at least 45° or by at least 60° or by at least 75° or by at least 90°, for example by 90°, in comparison to the direction in which an aerosol is released from the aerosol outlet.

[0050] The distance between the aroma outlet and the aerosol outlet, particularly in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device, may be between 1 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 5 cm and more preferably between 3 cm and 4 cm. Such a placement of the aroma outlet may enable the user to smell the aroma whenever the user puffs on the mouthpiece. Simultaneously, the aroma outlet may be positioned so that the aroma released from the aroma outlet may mixed with air in the outside environment, which may improve aroma quality and user experience.

[0051] The aerosol-forming device may include an aerosol-forming article or substrate and / or an aroma-releasing consumable, wherein the aerosol-forming device may be configured to form aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate and / or to release aroma from the aromareleasing consumable. Any of the aerosol-forming articles or substrates and aroma-releasing consumables mentioned herein may be used.

[0052] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aroma-releasing consumable for use with an aerosol-forming device according to the present disclosure. Another aspect may pertain to the use of an aroma-releasing consumable in an aerosol-forming device according to the present disclosure. All of the features, functions, and advantages of the aerosolforming device as described herein are also applicable to the aroma-releasing consumable and / or the use and vice versa. The aroma-releasing consumable may be provided with a rectangular, oval or round plate-like shape, for example a rectangular parallelepiped or cuboid shape with or without rounded corners. These shapes may be advantageous for homogeneously heating and depleting the aroma-releasing consumable. The aroma-releasing consumable may comprise or be made of a porous material, for example a porous cellulose material like cardboard. The aroma-releasing consumable may comprise an aroma-releasing substrate. The aroma-releasing substrate may be sufficient for at least two usage sessions of the aerosol-forming device, preferably for a plurality of usage sessions. In other words, the aroma-releasing consumable may be configured to last for more than one usage session and may therefore last longer than an aerosol-forming article or substrate. In this way, the user may not have to replace the aroma-releasing consumable after each usage session, but may experience two or more usage sessions using the same aroma-releasing consumable.

[0053] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for releasing an aroma for nasal intake from an aerosol-forming device, for example an aerosolforming device according to the present disclosure. The method may include: providing an aerosol-forming article or substrate in a heating chamber of the aerosol-forming device; providing an aroma-releasing consumable in an aroma release chamber of the aerosol-forming device; providing an aerosol formed from the aerosol-forming article or substrate to a user through an aerosol outlet during a puff of the user; passively providing an airflow to the aroma release chamber during the puff of the user; and providing an aroma formed from the aroma-releasing consumable to the user through an aroma outlet. All of the features, functions, and advantages of the aerosol-forming device, aroma-releasing consumable and / or the use as described herein are also applicable to the method and vice versa.

[0054] The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0055] Example 1 . An aerosol-forming device comprising: an air inlet for receiving an airflow from an outside environment of the aerosol-forming device, a heating chamber configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article or substrate, an aerosol outlet, a first air path structure fluidically connecting the air inlet to the heating chamber and the heating chamber to the aerosol outlet, an aroma release chamber configured to removably receive an aroma-releasing consumable, an aroma outlet, a second air path structure fluidically connecting the aroma outlet to the aroma release chamber and the aroma release chamber to the first air path structure, wherein the second air path structure is configured to passively supply air from the first air path structure to the aroma release chamber such that an aroma released from the aromareleasing consumable is releasable through the aroma outlet to the outside environment during a puff of a user.

[0056] Example 2. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 1 , wherein the second air path structure is connected to the first air path structure via a tubular element arranged at least partly inside the first air path structure, for example wherein the tubular element is or includes a hollow tube, for example a cylindrical hollow tube.

[0057] Example 3. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 2, wherein the tubular element is at least partially arranged parallel to a direction of airflow in the first air path structure and includes an opening directed against the direction of the airflow.

[0058] Example 4. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 2-3, wherein the tubular element and the first air path structure are arranged such that a flow axis of airflow inside the tubular element is arranged coaxially with a flow axis of airflow inside the first air path structure.

[0059] Example 5. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 2-4, wherein the internal diameter of the tubular element is 15% to 75%, for example 25% to 60% or 33% to 50% or 38% to 45%, of the internal diameter of the first air path structure.

[0060] Example 6. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 2-5, wherein the tubular element and the first air path structure are arranged such that a distance between the flow axis of airflow inside the tubular element and the inner surface of the first air path structure is equal in all radial directions of the flow axis of airflow inside the tubular element.

[0061] Example 7. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 2-6, wherein the tubular element includes a curved portion changing a flow direction of air and / or aerosol inside the tubular element from a flow direction of air and / or aerosol inside the first air path structure by at least 10°, for example by at least 30° or by at least 45° or by at least 60° or by at least 75° or by at least 90° or by at least 105° or by at least 120° or by at least 135° or by at least 150°.

[0062] Example 8. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 2-7, wherein the tubular element is or includes a pitot tube, for example a simple pitot tube free of a static pressure tube.

[0063] Example 9. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous Examples, further comprising: a first housing part, including the aerosol outlet and at least part of a downstream airflow path of the heating chamber, and a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part, such that the first and second housing parts are movable relative to each other between an open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive and / or remove the aerosol-forming article or substrate, and a use position, in which the heating chamber is connected to the outside environment solely by the first and second air path structure, wherein the second housing part includes the aroma release chamber and the aroma outlet.

[0064] Example 10. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 9, wherein the second air path structure includes a first air path portion arranged in the first housing part and a second air path portion arranged in the second housing part.

[0065] Example 11. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 10, wherein the first air path portion and the second air path portion are fluidically connected to each other when the first and second housing parts are in the use position and wherein the first air path portion and the second air path portion are disconnected and distanced from each other when the first and second housing parts are in the open position.

[0066] Example 12. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous Examples, wherein the second air path structure is fluidically connected to the first air path structure downstream of the heating chamber.

[0067] Example 13. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous Examples, wherein the aroma release chamber includes at least one heating element configured to heat the aroma-releasing consumable.

[0068] Example 14. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 13, wherein the heating chamber comprises at least one heating element configured to heat the aerosol-forming article or substrate, and wherein the heating element of the aroma release chamber and the heating element of the heating chamber are thermally connected to each other such that the heating element of the aroma release chamber is heatable by the heating element of the heating chamber.

[0069] Example 15. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 14, wherein the heating element of the aroma release chamber is configured to heat the aromareleasing consumable when the heating element of the heating chamber heats the aerosolforming article or substrate.

[0070] Example 16. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 14-15, wherein the heating element of the aroma release chamber and the heating element of the heating chamber form a single common heating element.

[0071] Example 17. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 14-16, wherein the heating element of the heating chamber includes at least one heat source and at least one heat dissipating element heatable by the heat source and wherein the heat dissipating element is partly arranged in the heating chamber and in the aroma release chamber.

[0072] Example 18. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 17, wherein the aroma release chamber includes a consumable receptacle configured to receive the aroma-releasing consumable, wherein the consumable receptable includes a heat dissipating material and is thermally connected to the heat dissipating element.

[0073] Example 19. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 13-18, wherein the at least one heating element of the aroma release chamber is arranged in the second air path structure and / or the aroma release chamber such that air and / or aerosol is guided along and / or through the at least one heating element of the aroma release chamber.

[0074] Example 20. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 19, wherein the at least one heating element is permeable for air and / or aerosol, for example wherein the at least one heating element includes at least one channel, a porous material and / or a mesh.

[0075] Example 21. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous Examples, wherein a temperature profile for aroma release in the aroma release chamber is different than a temperature profile for aerosolization in the heating chamber.

[0076] Example 22. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 21 , wherein a heating temperature in the aroma release chamber during the puff of the user is smaller than a heating temperature in the heating chamber.

[0077] Example 23. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous Examples, wherein the aroma release chamber includes a door, wherein the door is movably coupled to the aerosol-forming device, such that the door is movable between a loading position, in which the aroma release chamber is accessible to receive and / or remove the aroma-releasing consumable, and a closed position, in which the aroma release chamber is connected to the outside environment solely by the first and second air path structure.

[0078] Example 24. The aerosol-forming device according to Examples 9 and 23, wherein the first housing part includes a stopping surface configured to press the door into the closed position when the first and second housing parts transition from the open position into the use position.

[0079] Example 25. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 24, wherein the stopping surface is configured to lock the door in the closed position when the first and second housing parts are in the use position.

[0080] Example 26. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 23-25, wherein the aroma release chamber is arranged in the second housing part and the door of the aroma release chamber is rotatably fixed to the second housing part by a hinge.

[0081] Example 27. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 23-26, wherein the door of the aroma release chamber includes the aroma outlet, for example wherein the aroma outlet in the door of the aroma release chamber is or includes at least one opening, a channel, a porous material, a grid and / or a mesh.

[0082] Example 28. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 23-27, wherein the door of the aroma release chamber includes at least one protruding element on an inner surface of the door facing the aroma release chamber, for example wherein the protruding element has a polygonal or conical or cylindrical shape.

[0083] Example 29. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 28, wherein the at least one protruding element is pressable against the aroma-releasing consumable when the door is in the closed position.

[0084] Example 30. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 28-29, wherein the protruding element is configured to distance the inner surface of the door from the aroma-releasing consumable such that an open space inside the aroma release chamber is provided between the inner surface of the door and the aroma-releasing consumable when the door is in the closed position.

[0085] Example 31. The aerosol-forming device according to Example 30, wherein the aroma outlet includes at least two openings to the outside environment and wherein the open space inside the aroma release chamber is in fluid connection to the at least two openings, for example all the openings, included in the aroma outlet.

[0086] Example 32. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous Examples, wherein the aerosol outlet and the aroma outlet are arranged on the aerosol-forming device such that the aroma is released from the aroma outlet in a direction transverse to a direction in which an aerosol is released from the aerosol outlet, for example transverse by at least 15° or by at least 30° or by at least 45° or by at least 60° or by at least 75° or by at least 90°, for example by 90°.

[0087] Example 33. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous Examples, wherein the distance between the aroma outlet and the aerosol outlet in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device is between 1 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 5 cm and more preferably between 3 cm and 4 cm.

[0088] Example 34. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous Examples, including an aerosol-forming article or substrate and / or an aroma-releasing consumable, wherein the aerosol-forming device is configured to form aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate and / or to release aroma from the aroma-releasing consumable.

[0089] Example 35. An aroma-releasing consumable for use with an aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous Examples.

[0090] Example 36. The aroma-releasing consumable according to Example 35, comprising an aroma-releasing substrate sufficient for at least two usage sessions of the aerosol-forming device, preferably for a plurality of usage sessions.

[0091] Example 37. A method for releasing an aroma for nasal intake from an aerosol-forming device, for example an aerosol-forming device according to any one of Examples 1 to 34, including: providing an aerosol-forming article or substrate in a heating chamber of the aerosolforming device; providing an aroma-releasing consumable in an aroma release chamber of the aerosolforming device; providing an aerosol formed from the aerosol-forming article or substrate to a user through an aerosol outlet during a puff of the user; passively providing an airflow to the aroma release chamber during the puff of the user; and providing an aroma formed from the aroma-releasing consumable to the user through an aroma outlet.

[0092] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

[0093] Figure 1 shows an aerosol-forming system including an aerosol-forming device and a companion device;

[0094] Figure 2 shows several perspective views of an aerosol-forming device in the use position;

[0095] Figure 3 shows several perspective views of an aerosol-forming device in the open position;

[0096] Figure 4 shows a see-through view of an aerosol-forming device;

[0097] Figure 5 shows a sectional view of an aerosol-forming device;

[0098] Figure 6a shows a sectional view of an aerosol-forming device;

[0099] Figures 6b to 6f show sectional view of an aerosol-forming device during loading and usage of an aerosol-forming article or substrate and an aroma consumable; and

[0100] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of the method. The figures are schematic only and not to scale.

[0101] Figure 1 shows an aerosol-forming or aerosol-generating system 1 for forming or generating aerosol, for example for consumption or inhalation by a user in one or more usage sessions. The system 1 may comprise at least one of an aerosol-forming device 2 for generating aerosol and a companion device 3 for at least partially receiving the aerosol-forming device 2. The companion device 3 may be a charging device for charging the aerosol-forming device 2 and / or an energy storage 15 or battery thereof.

[0102] Merely for exemplary purposes and without limitation, the aerosol-forming device 2 may have a height of between 80 mm and 150 mm, for example between 90 mm and 130 mm or between 100 mm and 120 mm. The aerosol-forming device 2 may further have a width of between 17 mm and 48 mm, for example between 20 mm and 37 mm or between 23 mm and 33 mm. The aerosol-forming device 2 may further have a thickness of between 20 mm and 40 mm, for example between 25 mm and 35 mm, for example of 27 mm.

[0103] The aerosol-forming device 2 may comprise a mouthpiece 4, through which a user may inhale aerosol provided by the aerosol-forming device 2 for consumption during a usage session. The aerosol may be provided from an aerosol-forming article or substrate provided inside the aerosol-forming device 2 and therefore not visible in Figure 1 .

[0104] The aerosol-forming device 2 may further include processing circuitry or control circuitry with at least one controller 5 and one or more processors 6. For generating the aerosol during use or consumption of the aerosol-forming article, the aerosol-forming device 2 may comprise at least one heating element 7 or heater device for applying heat to at least a portion of the aerosolforming article. Instead of the heating element 7, an ultrasonic device (not shown) may also be used to generate aerosol from the aerosol-forming article. The processing circuitry and / or the controller 5 and / or the processor 6 may be configured to control actuation, activation and / or deactivation of at least one heating element 7 or ultrasonic device.

[0105] For powering the at least one heating element 7 with electrical power, the aerosol-forming device 2 may further comprise the at least one energy storage 15, for example in the form of a battery, for storing electrical energy or power. In Figure 1 , both the aerosol-forming device 2 and the companion device 3 each comprise an energy storage 15 and the energy storage 15 is electrically coupled to the respective device 2, 3. In particular, energy storage 15 may be removably couplable to the aerosol-forming device 2 and / or the companion device 3. In other words, energy storage 15 may be a replaceable energy storage or battery. The connection between the energy storage 15 and the devices 2, 3 may be configured so that the devices 2, 3 may be run by electrical energy provided by the energy storage 15. Additionally, the connection between the energy storage 15 and the aerosol-forming device 2 and / or the companion device 3 may be configured so that data may be transmitted between the processing circuitries of the aerosol-forming device 2 and / or the companion device 3 and the energy storage 15.

[0106] The aerosol-forming device 2 may further comprise at least one electrical connector 12 for coupling to a corresponding at least one electrical connector 13 of the companion device 3 and / or an electrical connector of an external power supply (not shown), e.g., a USB charger. For example, when the aerosol-forming device 2 is at least partially inserted into the opening 14 of the companion device 3, the one or more electrical connectors 12 of the aerosol-forming device 2 may be coupled with the one or more electrical connectors 13 of the companion device 3 to charge the at least one energy storage 15 of the aerosol-forming device 2.

[0107] The aerosol-forming device 2 may further comprise a communications arrangement 9 or communication circuitry 9 with one or more communications interfaces 10 for communicatively coupling the aerosol-forming device 2 with the companion device 3 or other devices, for example, via an Internet connection, a wireless LAN connection, a WiFi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a mobile phone network, a mobile data connection for example but not limited to a 3G / 4G / 5G connection, an edge connection, an LTE connection, a BUS connection, a wireless connection, a wired connection, an optical data connection such as but not limited to IrDa, a radio connection, a near field connection, and / or an loT connection.

[0108] The aerosol-forming device 2 may further comprise a data storage 11 or memory for storing information, program code or data. Data storage 11 may also store collected values of sensors and / or one or more mathematical functions or formulas, software and computer instructions that can be executed by the processing circuitry, particularly controller 5 and / or processor 6. One or more sensors 16 may be arranged on, at or in the aerosol-forming device 2 or the companion device 3 to collect data. One or more of the sensors 16 may for example be temperature sensors, strain sensors, accelerometers or any other suitable sensors.

[0109] The aerosol-forming device 2 may further comprise user interface components, for example comprising an input element or input device 8, for example in the form of a pushbutton or a capacitive button. The input device 8 may be used as a power button to activate or deactivate the heating element 7 or ultrasonic device for aerosol generation thereby to activate or deactivate the aerosol-forming device 2. Upon activation of the aerosol-forming device 2, the heating element 7 may be activated and heat may be applied to at least a part of the aerosol-forming article, such that aerosol can be generated for consumption or inhalation by the user, for example in a usage session. The aerosol generating device 2 and / or the companion device 3 may each comprise one or more output elements, such as a display device 17 and / or one or more LEDs, for outputting a signal and / or displaying information to a user, for example a user interface such as a GUI, or haptic and acoustic data output devices. The display device 17 may be, for example, a touchscreen and may therefore be configured as both an output and an input element. Figure 2 shows several perspective views of the aerosol-forming device 2. From left to right, there is a bottom view, a left-side view, a top view, and a right-side view. Above the top view, there is a top view of the front of the aerosol-forming device 2, whereas below the top view, there is a top view of the back of the aerosol-forming device 2.

[0110] The aerosol-forming device 2 may comprise a first housing part 25 and a second housing part 26. The first housing part 25 and the second housing part 26 may be joined together in the longitudinal direction Z of the aerosol-forming device 2. The first housing part 25 may be movably fixed to the second housing part 26 so that the housing parts 25, 26 may be movable with respect to each other. In figure 2, the housing parts 25, 26 are shown in the use or usage position, in which the aerosol-forming device 2 is closed and ready to be used to generate or form aerosol. On the front end of the aerosol-forming device 2, the mouthpiece 4 may be provided with an aerosol outlet 22 through which the aerosol formed in the aerosol-forming device 2 may be inhaled by a user when puffing on mouthpiece 4. On the back end of the aerosol-forming device 2, there may be provided the electrical connector 12, for example in the form of a LISB-C socket.

[0111] The aerosol-forming device 2 may comprise an air inlet 18 or main air inlet. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 2, the air inlet 18 may be arranged on the bottom side of the aerosolforming device 2, in a region where the first housing part 25 and the second housing part 26 meet. On the top side of the aerosol-forming device 2, there may be a door 42 of an aroma release chamber that will be described in more detail below. Door 42 may comprise an aroma outlet 35, which may comprise two or more openings through the door 42. In the example shown, there may be three openings through the door 42 comprised by the aroma outlet 35. During a usage session, when the user puffs on mouthpiece 4, ambient air may be drawn from the outside environment of the aerosol-forming device 2 through air inlet 18. Inside the aerosol-forming device 2, both aerosol and an aroma may be generated or formed. The aerosol may then exit the aerosol-forming device 2 through the aerosol outlet 22 in mouthpiece 4 whereas the aroma may exit the aerosol-forming device 2 through the aroma outlet 35. It may be provided that a mixture of aerosol and aroma is released through aroma outlet 35.

[0112] Figure 3 shows several perspective views of the aerosol-forming device 2 with the first housing part 25 and the second housing part 26 in an open position. In the example shown, the first housing part 25 and the second housing part 26 may be pulled apart in a sliding motion in the longitudinal direction Z of the aerosol-forming device 2 to move from the use position as shown in Figure 2 to the open position as shown in Figure 3. From left to right, Figure 3 shows a top view, a left side view and a left side view with open door 42 of the aerosol-forming device 2. The first housing part 25 may comprise a tray 45 configured to receive the aerosol-forming article or substrate. The tray 45 becomes available in the open position of the housing parts 25, 26 so that an aerosol-forming article or substrate may be loaded or inserted into tray 45. By moving the housing parts 25, 26 from the open position into the use position, tray 45 and the aerosol-forming article or substrate may then be moved into the heating chamber configured to heat the aerosolforming article or substrate for generating aerosol.

[0113] Figure 4 shows a see-through top view of the aerosol-forming device 2 to illustrate the arrangement of several components which are partly also shown in Figure 5, which shows a cross-sectional view of the part of the aerosol-forming device 2 comprising the heating chamber 20, in which an aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 is inserted. Ambient air may be drawn into the aerosol-forming device 2 through the air inlet 18. Inside the aerosol-forming device 2, there may be provided a first air path structure 23 which may connect the air inlet 18 to the heating chamber 20. Inside the heating chamber 20, there may be arranged a heating element 7 configured to heat the aerosol-forming article or substrate 21. For example, the heating element 7 may comprise a heat source 38, for example a resistive heater, and a heat dissipating element 39. The heating chamber 20 may additionally comprise insulation and electromagnetic shielding 40 configured to contain the heat in the chamber both to protect the fingers of a user holding the aerosol-forming device 2 and to minimize energy losses. The heating element 7 may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 to form or generate aerosol. From the heating chamber 20, the aerosol may then flow into a downstream portion of the first air path structure 23, which may lead to a nucleation chamber 48 (Figure 4), in which the aerosol may be mixed with air from the outside environment of the aerosol-forming device 2. This may cool the aerosol and increase its overall quality, before the aerosol may then be released through the aerosol outlet 22 in mouthpiece 4.

[0114] As shown in the enlarged view of Figure 5, the aerosol-forming device 2 according to the present disclosure may additionally comprise an aroma release system 31. In particular, the aerosol-forming device 2 may comprise an aroma release chamber 32, in which an aromareleasing consumable 34 may be inserted. The aroma release chamber 32 may be connected to the first air path structure 23 by a second air path structure 24, which may branch off the first air path structure 23. In the example shown, the second air path structure 24 may branch off the first air path structure 23 downstream of the heating chamber 20. In principle however, the second air path structure 24 may also branch off the first air path structure 23 upstream of the heating chamber 20. Air (in case the second air path structure 24 branches off the first air path structure 23 upstream of the heating chamber 20) or aerosol (in case the second air path structure 24 branches off the first air path structure 23 downstream of the heating chamber 20) from the first air path structure 23 may stream through the second air path structure 24 and into the aroma release chamber 32. From there, the air or aerosol may be released together with the aroma released from the aroma-releasing consumable 34 through the aroma outlet 35 for nasal intake by the user. As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 2 and 3, the second air path structure 24 may be pulled apart when the first and second housing parts 25, 26 are moved into the open position. In other words, the second air path structure 24 may comprise a first air path portion arranged in the first housing part 25 and a second air path portion arranged in the second housing part 26. These two portions may be joined together and fluidically connected to each other when the housing parts 25, 26 are in the use position. Conversely, the two portions may be disconnected and / or distanced from each other when the housing parts 25, 26 are in the open position. To improve the seal between the first air path portion and the second air path portion in the use position, one or more sealing elements 30 may be provided on the first air path portion and / or the second air path portion, particularly the end of the respective portion facing the other portion. The one or more sealing element 30 may be configured to provide an airtight seal between the first and second air path portions.

[0115] The second air path structure 24 may be connected to the first air path structure 23 by a tubular element 27, which may be arranged inside the first air path structure 23. Particularly, the tubular element 27 may be configured and / or arranged inside the first air path structure 23 as a pitot tube, for example a simple pitot tube. The tubular element 27 may therefore ensure that part of the airflow inside the first air path structure 23 is split off into the second air path structure 24, thereby creating an overpressure in the aroma release chamber and effecting the release of the aroma from the aroma outlet 35. The correct airflow direction in the second air path structure 24 may therefore be realized despite the user drawing on the mouthpiece 4. By providing the tubular element 27, from the draw or puff of the user, an airflow may be passively provided to the aroma release chamber 32.

[0116] The tubular element 27 may be concentrically arranged inside the first air path structure 23, i.e. may be arranged in the middle of the first air path structure 23. It may comprise an opening

[0117] 28 pointing against the direction of airflow in the first air path structure 23. The plane of the opening 28 may be transverse, particularly orthogonal, to the direction of airflow in the first air path structure 23 and / or the longitudinal direction Z of the aerosol-forming device 2. Directly behind or downstream the opening 28 in the direction of airflow in both the first air path structure 23 and the tubular element 27, the tubular element 27 may comprise a straight section in which the tubular element 27 extends parallel to the direction of airflow in the first air path structure 23 and / or the longitudinal direction Z of the aerosol-forming device 2. Directly behind or downstream the straight section, the tubular element 27 may comprise a curved portion 29. The curved portion

[0118] 29 may be configured to redirect the airflow direction in the tubular element 27 away from the direction of airflow in the first air path structure 23 and / or the longitudinal direction Z of the aerosolforming device 2 and towards the second air path structure 24 and / or the aroma release chamber 32. The aroma release chamber 32 may further comprise a heating element 36 configured to heat the aroma-releasing consumable 34 for aroma release. The heating element 36 may be configured to heat the aroma-releasing consumable 34 simultaneously with the heating element 7 of the heating chamber 20 heating the aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 . While the heating element 36 of the aroma release chamber 32 may be implemented as separate from the heating element 7 of the heating chamber 20, a simpler and more cost-effective construction may be achieved by providing the heating element 36 of the aroma release chamber 32 as a single common heating element 37 together with the heating element 7 of the heating chamber 20. In other words, the heating element 7 of the heating chamber 20 and the heating element 36 of the aroma release chamber 32 may be thermally coupled with each other so that the heating element 7 of the heating chamber 20 heats the heating element 36 of the aroma release chamber 32 whenever the heating element 7 of the heating chamber 20 is heated. This may be achieved by providing the heating element 36 of the aroma release chamber 32 and the heating element 7 of the heating chamber 20 as a single common heating element 37. For example, the heat dissipating element 39 of the heating element 7 of the heating chamber 20 may span, at least partly, both the heating chamber 20 and the aroma release chamber 32. The heating element 36 of the aroma release chamber 32 may then be provided as a part of the heat dissipating element 39 arranged on at least one side of the aroma release chamber 32.

[0119] Additionally, the aroma release chamber 32 may comprise a consumable receptacle 33, which may be arranged on the heating element 36 and which may be configured to receive the aroma-releasing consumable 34. For example, the consumable receptacle 33 may be configured to form-fittingly engage the aroma-releasing consumable 34 on at least two or more sides. The heating element 36, for example the part of the heat dissipating element 39 arranged at the aroma release chamber 32, and / or the consumable receptacle 33 may be configured to be permeable for airflow entering the aroma release chamber 32 through the second air path structure 24. For example, the heating element 36 and / or the consumable receptacle 33 may comprise or be made from the same material, for example the same material as the heat dissipating element 39, for example a porous material, for example a porous ceramic material. The airflow from the second air path structure 24 may therefore be provided to the aroma-releasing consumable 34 through and / or along the heating element 36 and / or the consumable receptacle 33.

[0120] The aroma release chamber 32 may be opened or closed to the outside environment by the door 42. As shown in Figure 5, the door may be movably, specifically rotatably, connected to the second housing part 26 by hinge 44. The door 42 may include channels or other openings constituting the aroma outlet 35. Further, door 42 may include one or more protruding elements 46, which may be arranged on the inside surface of the door 42 facing the aroma release chamber 32 and / or the aroma-releasing consumable 34 when the door 42 is closed. The protruding elements 46 may be configured to press against and / or into the aroma-releasing consumable 34 when the door 42 is in the closed position. On the one hand, this contact may fix or hold the aroma-releasing consumable 34 in position, for example in the consumable receptacle 33. On the other hand, by pushing the aroma-releasing consumable 34 away from the inside surface of the door 42 and possibly at least partly compacting the aroma-releasing consumable 34 at the point of contact with the protruding elements 46, an open space 47 is provided inside the aroma release chamber 32, particularly between the inside surface of the door 42 and the aroma-releasing consumable 34. The open space 47 may act as a collection space for the aroma released from the aroma-releasing consumable 34. Particularly, the open space 47 may be fluidically connected to all the openings constituting the aroma outlet 35, thereby contributing to an even distribution and release of the aroma from all of the openings constituting the aroma outlet 35.

[0121] Figures 6a shows another overview of the aerosol-forming device 2 in a cross-section along the longitudinal direction Z. Figures 6b to 6f show different configurations of the front part of the aerosol-forming device 2 during use. In Figure 6a, a completely closed aerosol-forming device 2 is shown. The housing parts 25, 26 are in the use position and the door 42 is in the closed position. However, no aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 is loaded into the heating chamber 20 and no aroma-releasing consumable 34 is loaded into the aroma release chamber 32. By pulling the first and second housing parts 25, 26 apart from each other along the longitudinal axis or direction Z, the housing parts 25, 26 may be brought into the open position as shown in Figure 6b. In the open position, the heating chamber 20 may be opened and the tray 45 arranged in the first housing part 25 may be accessible from the outside for inserting an aerosol-forming article or substrate 21. Also shown in Figure 6b, the door 42 of the aroma release chamber 32 is in the loading position, i.e. is opened, and the aroma release chamber 32 may be accessible from the outside for inserting an aroma-releasing consumable 34. After inserting the aroma-releasing consumable 34, door 42 may be closed as shown in Figure 6c. Additionally, the housing parts 25, 26 may be transitioned from the open position into the use position by pushing the housing parts 25, 26 towards each other along the longitudinal direction Z the aerosol-forming device 2.

[0122] When the housing parts 25, 26 transition into the use position, a stopping surface 43 on the first housing part 25 may contact the door 42 and push the door 42 into the closed position. In the use position, the stopping surface 43 of housing part 25 may be in contact with the door 42 in such a way that opening the door 42 is prevented. In other words, the stopping surface 42 may lock or fix the door 42 in the closed position when the housing parts 25, 26 are in the use position.

[0123] As shown in Figure 6d, a usage session may be initiated by the user when the housing parts 25, 26 are in the use position and the door 42 is in the closed position. Aerosol may be released from the aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 in the heating chamber 20 by heating the aerosolforming article or substrate 21 by the heating element 7. Simultaneously, aroma may be released from the aroma-releasing consumable 34 in the aroma release chamber 32 by heating the aromareleasing consumable 34 by the heating element 36. Powered by the draw or puff of the user on mouthpiece 4, and airflow 19 may enter the aerosol-forming device 2 at the air inlet 18. The airflow 19 may be guided through the first air path structure 23 to the heating chamber 20, the nucleation chamber 48 and to the aerosol outlet 22. In this way, the aerosol 41 from the aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 in the heating chamber 20 may exit through the aerosol outlet 22 for inhalation by the user. Simultaneously, a part of the airflow 19 and / or the aerosol 41 may flow through the second air path structure 24 into the aroma release chamber 32 and from there to the aroma outlet 35. In this way, the aroma 55 from the aroma-releasing consumable 34 in the aroma release chamber 32 may exit through the aroma outlet 35 for nasal uptake by the user, thereby enhancing the sensory experience of the user during the usage session.

[0124] After the usage session, for example when the aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 is depleted, the user may open the aerosol-forming device 2 by transitioning the housing parts 25, 26 from the use position back to the open position, as shown in Figures 6e and 6f. In the open position, the depleted aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 may be removed from the tray 45 and be disposed of. The aroma-releasing consumable 34, on the other hand, may be configured to last for more than one usage session and may therefore remain in the aroma release chamber 32.

[0125] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of method 49 according to the present disclosure for releasing an aroma for nasal intake from an aerosol-forming device 2. Method 49 may begin in step 50 by providing an aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 in the heating chamber 20 of the aerosolforming device 2. In other words, the aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 may be loaded into the heating chamber 20 in step 50. To this end, the aerosol-forming device 2 may be opened by moving the first housing part 25 and the second housing part 26 into the open position. In this position, the aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 may be inserted into the tray 45 of the first housing part 25. By transitioning the first housing part 25 and the second housing part 26 into the use position, the aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 may then be moved into the heating chamber 20. While the aerosol-forming device 2 is in the open position, door 42 of the aroma release chamber 32 may be opened. Method 49 may thus also comprise step 51 of providing an aroma-releasing consumable 34 in an aroma release chamber 32 of the aerosol-forming device 2. After the door 42 is closed and the housing parts 25, 26 have been brought into the use position, the user may initiate a usage session to form or generate aerosol and simultaneously provide an aroma for nasal uptake. To this end, method 49 may comprise step 52 of providing an aerosol formed from the aerosol-forming article or substrate 21 to the user through an aerosol outlet 22 during a puff of the user. The user may draw or puff on mouthpiece 4 and inhale the aerosol provided through aerosol outlet 22. Simultaneously, the method 49 may comprise step 53 of passively providing an airflow 32 during the puff of the user. In particular, the airflow effected by the user by drawing or puffing on mouthpiece 4 may lead to an overpressure in the aroma release chamber 32, which may be fluidically connected to an upstream or downstream air path structure of the heating chamber 20. By connecting the aroma release chamber 32 to the air path structure of the heating chamber 20 through a tubular element, for example a simple pitot tube, air may flow into the aroma release chamber 32 and carry the aroma released from the aroma-releasing consumable 34 out of the aerosol-forming device 2 through the aroma outlet 35. This may constitute step 54 of method 49 of providing the aroma formed from the aroma-releasing consumable 34 to the user through the aroma outlet 35.

[0126] While the steps of method 49 have been presented in a specific order for explanatory reasons, it is noted that steps 50 and 51 may be performed in any order. Additionally, steps 52, 53 and 54 may not have an order but be performed simultaneously.

[0127] In summary, the present disclosure may provide for an improved sensory experience of the user by providing the user with an additional aroma carrying potentially desired flavors for nasal uptake in addition to conventional aerosol inhalation. The presented solution is cost-effective and may be easily implemented in aerosol-forming devices 2.

[0128] For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 10 % of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An aerosol-forming device comprising: an air inlet for receiving an airflow from an outside environment of the aerosol-forming device, a heating chamber configured to removably receive an aerosol-forming article or substrate, an aerosol outlet, a first air path structure fl uidical ly connecting the air inlet to the heating chamber and the heating chamber to the aerosol outlet, an aroma release chamber configured to removably receive an aroma-releasing consumable, an aroma outlet, a second air path structure fluidically connecting the aroma outlet to the aroma release chamber and the aroma release chamber to the first air path structure, wherein the second air path structure is configured to passively supply air from the first air path structure to the aroma release chamber such that an aroma released from the aromareleasing consumable is releasable through the aroma outlet to the outside environment during a puff of a user.

2. The aerosol-forming device according to claim 1 , wherein the second air path structure is connected to the first air path structure via a tubular element arranged at least partly inside the first air path structure, for example wherein the tubular element is or includes a hollow tube, for example a cylindrical hollow tube.

3. The aerosol-forming device according to claim 2, wherein the tubular element is at least partially arranged parallel to a direction of airflow in the first air path structure and includes an opening directed against the direction of the airflow, and / or wherein the tubular element and the first air path structure are arranged such that a flow axis of airflow inside the tubular element is arranged coaxially with a flow axis of airflow inside the first air path structure.

4. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of claims 2-3, wherein the internal diameter of the tubular element is 15% to 75%, for example 25% to 60% or 33% to 50% or 38% to 45%, of the internal diameter of the first air path structure, and / or wherein the tubular element and the first air path structure are arranged such that a distance between the flow axis of airflow inside the tubular element and the inner surface of the first air path structure is equal in all radial directions of the flow axis of airflow inside the tubular element.

5. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the tubular element includes a curved portion changing a flow direction of air and / or aerosol inside the tubular element from a flow direction of air and / or aerosol inside the first air path structure by at least 10°, for example by at least 30° or by at least 45° or by at least 60° or by at least 75° or by at least 90° or by at least 105° or by at least 120° or by at least 135° or by at least 150°.

6. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein the tubular element is or includes a pitot tube, for example a simple pitot tube free of a static pressure tube.

7. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising: a first housing part, including the aerosol outlet and at least part of a downstream airflow path of the heating chamber, and a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part, such that the first and second housing parts are movable relative to each other between an open position, in which the heating chamber is accessible to receive and / or remove the aerosol-forming article or substrate, and a use position, in which the heating chamber is connected to the outside environment solely by the first and second air path structure, wherein the second housing part includes the aroma release chamber and the aroma outlet.

8. The aerosol-forming device according to claim 7, wherein the second air path structure includes a first air path portion arranged in the first housing part and a second air path portion arranged in the second housing part, for example wherein the first air path portion and the second air path portion are fluidically connected to each other when the first and second housing parts are in the use position and wherein the first air path portion and the second air path portion are disconnected and distanced from each other when the first and second housing parts are in the open position.

9. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the aroma release chamber includes at least one heating element configured to heat the aroma-releasing consumable, for example wherein the heating chamber comprises at least one heating element configured to heat the aerosol-forming article or substrate, and wherein the heating element of the aroma release chamber and the heating element of the heating chamber are thermally connected to each other such that the heating element of the aroma release chamber is heatable by the heating element of the heating chamber.

10. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein a temperature profile for aroma release in the aroma release chamber is different than a temperature profile for aerosolization in the heating chamber, for example wherein a heating temperature in the aroma release chamber during the puff of the user is smaller than a heating temperature in the heating chamber.11 . The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the aroma release chamber includes a door, wherein the door is movably coupled to the aerosol-forming device, such that the door is movable between a loading position, in which the aroma release chamber is accessible to receive and / or remove the aroma-releasing consumable, and a closed position, in which the aroma release chamber is connected to the outside environment solely by the first and second air path structure, for example wherein the first housing part includes a stopping surface configured to press the door into the closed position when the first and second housing parts transition from the open position into the use position.

12. The aerosol-forming device according to claim 11 , wherein the door of the aroma release chamber includes at least one protruding element on an inner surface of the door facing the aroma release chamber, for example wherein the protruding element has a polygonal or conical or cylindrical shape, for example wherein the at least one protruding element is pressable against the aroma-releasing consumable when the door is in the closed position, optionally wherein the protruding element is configured to distance the inner surface of the door from the aroma-releasing consumable such that an open space inside the aroma release chamber is provided between the inner surface of the door and the aroma-releasing consumable when the door is in the closed position.

13. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the aerosol outlet and the aroma outlet are arranged on the aerosol-forming device such that the aroma is released from the aroma outlet in a direction transverse to a direction in which an aerosol is released from the aerosol outlet, for example transverse by at least 15° or by at least 30° or by at least 45° or by at least 60° or by at least 75° or by at least 90°, for example by 90°, and / or wherein the distance between the aroma outlet and the aerosol outlet in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-forming device is between 1 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 5 cm and more preferably between 3 cm and 4 cm.

14. The aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous claims, including an aerosol-forming article or substrate and / or an aroma-releasing consumable, wherein the aerosol-forming device is configured to form aerosol from the aerosol-forming article or substrate and / or to release aroma from the aroma-releasing consumable.

15. An aroma-releasing consumable for use with an aerosol-forming device according to any one of the previous claims.

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