Aerosol-Generating Article with Upstream Aversive Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol-generating articles face challenges in deterring accidental ingestion or handling while maintaining the quality of the aerosol delivery, as aversive agents can contaminate fingers or lips and affect the taste during normal use.

Innovation Solution

The aerosol-generating article is designed with an aversive agent positioned in an upstream section away from the airflow pathway and consumer contact, preventing direct exposure and release into the aerosol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If an aversive agent is added to deter accidental ingestion, then safety against accidental ingestion is improved, but the risk of contaminating fingers and affecting aerosol taste is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccidental ingestion riskVSAvoidaerosol taste contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The aerosol-generating article is divided into distinct sections: an upstream section containing the aversive agent, an aerosol-generating substrate, and a downstream section. This segmentation isolates the aversive agent in the upstream section, preventing it from contaminating the aerosol generated downstream while maintaining its deterrent function against accidental ingestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an aversive agent is placed in the aerosol-generating article, then deterrent effect is improved, but contact with lips during normal use is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveingestion deterrenceVSAvoidunpleasant taste during normal use
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The aversive agent is localized specifically in the upstream section of the aerosol-generating article, which is positioned away from the consumer's lips during normal use. This local placement ensures the aversive agent remains effective for deterrence while minimizing contact with the user's oral mucosa during intended operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the aversive agent is positioned upstream away from airflow, then aerosol quality is improved, but effectiveness in deterring ingestion is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol taste qualityVSAvoidingestion deterrence effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The upstream section acts as an intermediary zone that contains the aversive agent separately from the aerosol generation pathway. This intermediate positioning allows the aversive agent to serve its deterrent function while being physically separated from the airflow pathway, preventing contamination of the aerosol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design effectively prevents aversive agent contact during normal use, maintaining aerosol quality and reducing accidental ingestion risks without affecting the intended use experience.

Implementation Method 1

volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate by heat transfer from the heat source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

heat transfer from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-generating substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP4561377B1Aerosol-generating article with embedded aversive agent
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP4561377B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4561377B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided an aerosol-generating article (10, 100), particularly for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article (10, 100) comprising: an aerosol-generating substrate (12), a downstream section (14) extending from a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate (12) to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article (10, 100); and an upstream section (16, 116) extending from an upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate (10, 100) to an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article (10, 100), wherein the upstream section (16, 116) comprises an aversive agent.