Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system
Technical field
The present invention relates to an article for use in a non-combustible
aerosol
provision system, to a system comprising the article and a non-combustible
aerosol
provision device, and to a method of manufacturing an article according to the
invention.
Background
Certain tobacco industry products produce an aerosol during use, which is
inhaled by a
user. For example, tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol generating
substrate such
as tobacco to form an aerosol by heating, but not burning, the substrate. Such
tobacco
industry products commonly include mouthpieces through which the aerosol
passes to
reach the user's mouth.
Summary
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an
article
for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system that includes an aerosol
provision device, the article comprising a rod of aerosol-generating material
having a
distal end for insertion into the non-combustible aerosol provision device
such that a
heating element of the device extends into the rod of aerosol-generating
material
through said distal end, wherein the article comprises a cavity extending in a
longitudinal direction into the rod of aerosol-generating material from said
distal end
to receive the heating element.
The article may comprise a mouth end opposite to said distal end, said mouth
end
being configured to be placed between the lips of a user when the distal end
is inserted
into a non-combustible aerosol provision device.
A cooling segment may be located between the aerosol-generating material and
the
mouth end.
so A filtration segment may be located between the cooling segment and the
mouth end.
The cavity may extend the full length of the aerosol-generating material.
The cavity may be coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the article.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise a tube.
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The tube may comprise an inner surface, and a profile is formed may be formed
in said
surface that extends in a longitudinal direction.
The profile may comprise a helical groove or recess.
The profile may comprise a linear groove or recess.
A plurality of cavities may extend into the aerosol-generating material from
said distal
end.
One or more of said cavities may be arranged about said longitudinal axis.
One of the cavities may be coaxial with said longitudinal axis of the aerosol-
generating
material.
io The or each cavity may have a non-circular cross-section.
The or each cavity may have a non-uniform cross section in a longitudinal
direction.
The or each cavity may be tapered in a longitudinal direction.
The or each cavity may be tapered so that it narrows in a direction away from
the distal
end.
15 An article may comprise a plug at said distal end. The plug may
abut the aerosol-
generating material.
The plug may have a passage positioned to correspond with the cavity extending
in the
aerosol-generating material. The passage can be a slit or slot in the plug.
The plug may be formed from gathered, and in some examples crimped, paper.
20 The article may comprise a material layer on an inner wall of
the cavity.
The material layer can be a gel, an amorphous solid, or a sheet material layer
such as
paper.
The material layer can be another layer of aerosol-generating material
different to the
aerosol-generating material.
25 In some embodiments, the material layer may comprise a heat-
conductive material. For
example, the material layer may comprise a metal or metal alloy, polymer
ceramic or
graphite.
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In accordance with some other embodiments described herein, there is provided
a
system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device having a heating
element; and an article comprising a rod of aerosol-generating material having
a distal
end for insertion into a non-combustible aerosol provision device such that
the heating
element of the device extends into the aerosol-generating material through
said distal
end, wherein a cavity extends into the rod of aerosol-generating material in a
longitudinal direction from said distal end to receive the heating element.
The heating element and the cavity may each have the same cross-sectional
shape.
The heating element may be a snug or interference fit in the cavity.
_to The heating element and the cavity may each have a different cross-
sectional shape
such that, when the heating element is received in the cavity, a passage
remains
between the heating element and an inner wall of the aerosol generating
material.
The pin may have a circular cross-section and the cavity may have a portion
with a
circular cross-section to receive the pin and at least one lobe extending from
the
circular portion to form said passage.
The aerosol-generating material may have a longitudinal axis and said cavity
to receive
the heating element may be a central cavity extending along said longitudinal
axis.
There may be a plurality of additional cavities extending into said aerosol-
generating
material from said distal end, wherein said additional cavities surround said
central
cavity and form open passages through the aerosol-generating material when the
heating element is received in said central cavity.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a
method of
manufacturing an article comprising a rod of aerosol-generating material
having a
distal end for insertion into a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the
method
comprising extruding the aerosol-generating material through a die head and
over a
mandrel to form a cavity extending through the aerosol-generating material.
The mandrel may be shaped to provide a correspondingly shaped cavity in the
aerosol-
generating material.
In accordance with some other embodiments described herein, there is provided
a
3o method of manufacturing an article comprising aerosol-generating
material having a
distal end for insertion into a non-combustible aerosol provision device,
comprising
molding the aerosol-generating material around a former.
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The former may be is shaped to provide a correspondingly shaped cavity in the
aerosol-
generating material.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with
reference to accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side-on cross-sectional view of an article for use with a non-
combustible
aerosol provision device;
io Figure 2 is a side-on cross-sectional view of an article for use with a
non-combustible
aerosol provision device according to another embodiment;
Figure 3at0 3e each show a different embodiment of a cross section through the
aerosol-generating material of the article of Figure 1 or 2, taken along line
A-A;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a non-combustible aerosol provision
device;
Figure 5 is a simplified schematic of the components within the housing of the
aerosol
provision device shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the non-combustible aerosol provision
device
shown in Figure 4 with the article shown in Figure 1 or 2 inserted into the
device.
Detailed description
As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to encompass systems
that
deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes:
combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars,
and
tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes
(whether based
on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco,
tobacco
substitutes or other smokable material);
non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an
aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating
material, such
as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to
generate
aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and
aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a
user
orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol,
including
but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable
powders, and
oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein
the at
least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.
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According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol provision
system is
one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision
system (or
component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery
of at least
one substance to a user.
In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol
provision
system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an
electronic
io cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine
delivery system (END),
although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating
material is
not a requirement.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an
aerosol-
Is generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-
burn system. An
example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid
system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating
materials, one or
20 a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-
generating materials may be,
for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain
nicotine.
In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-
generating
material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating
material
may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-
combustible aerosol provision device, and a consumable for use with the non-
combustible aerosol provision device.
The disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material
and
configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These
consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.
The terms 'upstream' and 'downstream' used herein are relative terms defined
in
relation to the direction of mainstream aerosol drawn through an article or
device in
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use. Reference to the 'distal end' refers to an upstream end of the device,
whereas
'proximal end' refers to the downstream end of the device.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a
non-
combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and
a
controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or
an
exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source
comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power
in the
form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material
in
io proximity to the exothermic power source.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system comprises an
area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation
area, a
housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol
provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-
generating
material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an
aerosol
generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a
mouthpiece,
20 and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
The consumable comprises a substance to be delivered. The substance to be
delivered
is an aerosol-generating material. As appropriate, the material may comprise
one or
more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former
materials,
25 and/or one or more other functional materials.
In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active
substance.
The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material,
which is a
material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active
substance
30 may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics,
psychoactives. The active
substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active
substance
may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as
B6 or
B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or
combinations
thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents,
derivatives or
35 extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical. In some embodiments,
the active
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substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance
comprises
caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.
As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or
more
botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein,
the term
"botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not
limited to,
extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen,
husk, shells or
the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound
naturally
existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the
form of
liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets,
shreds, strips,
sheets, or the like. Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise,
hemp, cocoa,
cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax,
ginger,
ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate,
orange skin,
papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove,
cinnamon, coffee,
aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg,
oregano,
paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower,
vanilla,
wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro,
bergamot,
orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram,
olive,
lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry,
ginseng,
theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab
or
any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint
varieties:
Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v.,Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha pip erita
citrata
c.v.,Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha
longifolia,
Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha
suaveolens.
In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or
more
botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical
is tobacco.
In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or
more
botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical
is selected
from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.
In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or
more
botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical
is selected
from rooibos and fennel.
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In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.
As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which,
where
local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or
other
somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include
naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals,
synthetically
obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice
(liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile,
fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise),
cinnamon,
turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red
berry,
cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical
fruit, papaya,
rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus
fruits,
Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint,
lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood,
bergamot,
geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla,
lemon oil,
orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine,
ylang-
ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint
oil from any
species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass,
rooibos, flax,
ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as
green tea or
black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano,
paprika,
rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro,
myrtle, cassis,
valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil,
chive,
carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers,
bitterness
receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators,
sugars and/or
sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame,
saccharine,
cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and
other
additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath
freshening
agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends
thereof. They
may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as
a powder,
or gas.
In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or
peppermint.
In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber,
blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour
comprises
eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components
extracted
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from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components
extracted from cannabis.
In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to
achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and
perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in
addition to
or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing
heating,
cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is
not limited
to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited
to
eucolyptol, WS-3.
An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating
aerosol, for
example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. An aerosol-
generating
material may be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not
contain an
active substance and/or flavourants. The aerosol-generating material is
incorporated
into an article for use in the aerosol-generating system.
As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material comprising
tobacco
or derivatives or substitutes thereof. The tobacco material may be in any
suitable form.
The term "tobacco material" may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco
derivatives,
expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco
material
may comprise one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibre, cut tobacco,
extruded
tobacco, tobacco stem, tobacco lamina, reconstituted tobacco and/or tobacco
extract.
A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating
material, part
or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable
may
comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material
storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol
generation
area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying
agent. A
consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, in particular a heating
element,
that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol
in use. The
heater may, comprise, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a
susceptor.
A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying
magnetic field,
such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-
conductive
material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes
induction
heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic
material, so that
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penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis
heating of
the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and
magnetic,
so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that
is
configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic
field
generator, herein.
An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the
aerosol
generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for
example by
changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol.
The aerosol-
/0 modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release
component,
that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent.
The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The
aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a
flavourant, a
colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for
example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in
powder,
thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from
filtration
material.
20 An aerosol-generating device is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol
to be
generated from the aerosol-generating material. The aerosol generating device
comprises a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to
heat
energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating
material to
form an aerosol.
The filamentary tow material described herein can comprise cellulose acetate
fibre tow.
The filamentary tow can also be formed using other materials used to form
fibres, such
as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL),
poly(1-4
butanediol succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)(PBAT),
starch
based materials, cotton, aliphatic polyester materials and polysaccharide
polymers or a
combination thereof. The filamentary tow may be plasticised with a suitable
plasticiser
for the tow, such as triacetin where the material is cellulose acetate tow, or
the tow may
be non-plasticised. The tow can have any suitable specification, such as
fibres having a
'Y' shaped or other cross section such as 'X' shaped, filamentary denier
values between
2.5 and 15 denier per filament, for example between 8.0 and 11.0 denier per
filament
and total denier values of 5,000 to 50,000, for example between 10,000 and
40,000.
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In the figures described herein, like reference numerals are used to
illustrate equivalent
features, articles or components.
Figure 1 is a side-on cross-sectional view of an article 1 for use in an
aerosol delivery
system that includes an aerosol delivery device 100 (see Figures 4 to 6).
The article 1 has an upstream or distal end D' and a downstream or proximal
end P'.
The proximal end P comprises a mouthpiece 2, and the distal end D comprises an
io aerosol-generating section, connected to the mouthpiece 2. In the
present example, the
aerosol generating section comprises a source of aerosol-generating material 3
in the
form of a rod. The aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise a plurality of
strands or
strips of aerosol-generating material 3. For example, the aerosol-generating
material 3
may comprise a plurality of strands or strips of an aerosolisable material
and/or a
plurality of strands or strips of an amorphous solid.
In the present example, the aerosol-generating material 3 comprises a
plurality of
strands and/or strips of aerosol-generating material, and is circumscribed by
a wrapper
4. In the present example, the wrapper 4 is a moisture impermeable wrapper.
The plurality of strands or strips of aerosol-generating material 3 may be
aligned within
the aerosol-generating section such that their longitudinal dimension is in
parallel
alignment with the longitudinal axis, X-X' of the article 1. Alternatively,
the strands or
strips may generally be arranged such that their longitudinal dimension
aligned is
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the article 1.
In the present example, the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 has a
circumference of
about 22.7 mm. In alternative embodiments, the rod of aerosol-generating
material 3
may have any suitable circumference, for example between about 20 mm and about
26
mm.
The article 1 is configured for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision
device loo
(see Figure 4) comprising an aerosol generator in the form of a heating
element 103,
such as a blade or pin, for insertion into the aerosol generating material 3
of the
0.3 aerosol-generating section, as will be described in more detail below.
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The mouthpiece 2 includes a cooling section 5, also referred to as a cooling
element,
positioned immediately downstream of and adjacent to the source of aerosol-
generating material 3. In the present example, the cooling section 5 is in an
abutting
relationship with the source of aerosol-generating material 3. The mouthpiece
2 also
includes, in the present example, a body of material 6 downstream of the
cooling
section 5, and a hollow tubular element 7 downstream of the body of material
6, at the
mouth end 2 of the article 1.
The cooling section 5 comprises a hollow channel, having an internal diameter
of
io between about 1 mm and about 4 mm, for example between about 2 mm and
about 4
mm. In the present example, the hollow channel has an internal diameter of
about 3
mm. The hollow channel extends along the full length of the cooling section 5.
In the
present example, the cooling section 5 comprises a single hollow channel. In
alternative
embodiments, the cooling section can comprise multiple channels, for example,
2, 3 or
4 channels. In the present example, the single hollow channel is substantially
cylindrical, although in alternative embodiments, other channel
geometries/cross-
sections may be used. The hollow channel can provide a space into which
aerosol drawn
into the cooling section 5 can expand and cool down. In all embodiments, the
cooling
section 5 is configured to limit the cross-sectional area of the hollow
channel/s, to limit
tobacco displacement into the cooling section 5, in use.
The moisture impermeable wrapper 4 can have a lower friction with the aerosol-
generating material 3, which can result in strands and/or strips of aerosol-
generating
material 3 being more easily displaced longitudinally, into the cooling
section 5, when
the heating element 103 is inserted into the rod of aerosol-generating
material 3. By
providing a cooling section 5 directly adjacent to the source of aerosol
generating
material 3, and comprising an inner channel with a diameter in this range, the
longitudinal displacement of strands and/or strips of aerosol-generating
material 3
when the heating element 103 of the device 100 is inserted into the rod of
aerosol-
generating material 3 is reduced. Reducing the displacement of aerosol-
generating
material 3, in use, can advantageously result in a more consistent packing
density of
aerosol-generating material 3 along the length of the rod, which can result in
more
consistent and improved aerosol generation.
The cooling section 5 may have a wall thickness in a radial direction. The
wall thickness
of the cooling section 5, for a given outer diameter of cooling section,
defines the
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internal diameter for the chamber surrounded by the walls of the cooling
section 5. The
cooling section 5 can have a wall thickness of at least about 1.5 mm and up to
about 2
mm. In the present example, the cooling section 5 has a wall thickness of
about 2 mm.
By providing a cooling section 5 having a wall thickness within this range
retention of
the source of aerosol-generating material 3 in the aerosol generating section
is
improved, in use, by reducing the longitudinal displacement of strands and/or
strips of
aerosol-generating material 3 when the aerosol generator is inserted into the
article 1.
The cooling section 5 is formed from filamentary tow. Other constructions can
be used,
io such as a plurality of layers of paper which are parallel wound, with
butted seams, to
form the cooling section 5; or spirally wound layers of paper, cardboard
tubes, tubes
formed using a papier-mache type process, moulded or extruded plastic tubes or
similar. The cooling section 5 is manufactured to have a rigidity that is
sufficient to
withstand the axial compressive forces and bending moments that might arise
during
manufacture and whilst the article 1 is in use.
The wall material of the cooling section 5 can be relatively non-porous, such
that at
least 90% of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material 3 passes
longitudinally through the one or more hollow channels rather than through the
wall
material of the cooling section 5. For instance, at least 92% or at least 95%
of the
aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material 3 can pass longitudinally
through
the one or more hollow channels.
In some examples, the mouthpiece 2 comprises a cavity having an internal
volume
greater than no mm3. Providing a cavity of at least this volume has been found
to
enable the formation of an improved aerosol. In certain examples, the
mouthpiece 2
comprises a cavity, for instance formed within the cooling section 5, having
an internal
volume greater than no mm3, or greater than 130 mm3, allowing further
improvement
of the aerosol. In some examples, the internal cavity comprises a volume of
between
about 130 mm3 and about 230 mm3, for instance about 134 mm3 or 227 mm3.
The cooling section 5 can be configured to provide a temperature differential
of at least
degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first,
upstream
end of the cooling section 5 and a heated volatilised component exiting a
second,
35 downstream end of the cooling section 5. The cooling section 5 may be
configured to
provide a temperature differential of at least 6o degrees Celsius, or at least
So degrees
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Celsius, or at least loo degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised
component
entering a first, upstream end of the cooling section 5 and a heated
volatilised
component exiting a second, downstream end of the cooling section 5. This
temperature differential across the length of the cooling section 8 protects
the
temperature sensitive body of material 6 from the high temperatures of the
aerosol-
generating material 3 when it is heated.
When in use, the aerosol-generating section may exhibit a pressure drop of
from about
to about 40 mm FLO. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating section
exhibits
io a pressure drop across the aerosol-generating section of from about 15
to about 30
mm H20.
In the present embodiment, the moisture impermeable wrapper 4 which
circumscribes
the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 comprises aluminium foil. In other
15 embodiments, the wrapper 4 comprises a paper wrapper, optionally
comprising a
barrier coating to make the material of the wrapper 4 substantially moisture
impermeable. Aluminium foil has been found to be particularly effective at
enhancing
the formation of aerosol within the aerosol-generating material 3. In the
present
example, the aluminium foil has a metal layer having a thickness of about 6
pm. In the
present example, the aluminium foil has a paper backing. However, in
alternative
arrangements, the aluminium foil can be other thicknesses, for instance
between 4 virn
and 16 !_im in thickness. The aluminium foil also need not have a paper
backing, but
could have a backing formed from other materials, for instance to help provide
an
appropriate tensile strength to the foil, or it could have no backing
material. Metallic
layers or foils other than aluminium can also be used. The total thickness of
the
wrapper may be between 20 p.m and 60 p.m, or between 30 p.m and 50 pm, which
can
provide a wrapper having appropriate structural integrity and heat transfer
characteristics. The tensile force which can be applied to the wrapper before
it breaks
can be greater than 3,000 grams force, for instance between 3,000 and 10,000
grams
force or between 3,000 and 4,500 grams force. Where the wrapper comprises
paper or
a paper backing, i.e. a cellulose based material, the wrapper can have a basis
weight
greater than about 30 gsm. For example, the wrapper 4 can have a basis weight
in the
range from about 40 gsm to about 70 gs, which can provide an improved rigidity
to the
rod of aerosol-generating material 3. The improved rigidity provided by
wrappers 4
having a basis weight in this range can make the rod of aerosol-generating
material 3
more resistant to crumpling or other deformation under the forces to which the
article
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is subject, in use, for example when the article is inserted into a device
and/or a heat
generator is inserted into the article 1.
In the present example, the moisture impermeable wrapper 4 is also
substantially
impermeable to air. In alternative embodiments, the wrapper 4 has a
permeability of
less than loo Coresta Units, or less than 60 Coresta Units. It has been found
that low
permeability wrappers, for instance having a permeability of less than 100
Coresta
Units, or less than 60 Coresta Units, result in an improvement in the aerosol
formation
in the aerosol-generating material 3. Without wishing to be bound by theory,
it is
hypothesised that this is due to reduced loss of aerosol compounds through the
wrapper 10. The permeability of the wrapper 10 can be measured in accordance
with
ISO 2965:2009 concerning the determination of air permeability for materials
used as
cigarette papers, filter plug wrap and filter joining paper.
The body of material 6 defines a substantially cylindrical overall outer shape
and is
wrapped in a first plug wrap 8. The first plug wrap 8 may have a basis weight
of less
than 50 gsm, or between about 20 gsm and 40 gsm. The first plug wrap 8 can
have a
thickness of between 30 pm and 60 pm, or between 35 pm and 45 p.m. The first
plug
wrap 8 may be a non-porous plug wrap, for instance having a permeability of
less than
100 Coresta units, for instance less than 50 Coresta units. However, in other
embodiments, the first plug wrap 8 can be a porous plug wrap, for instance
having a
permeability of greater than 200 Coresta Units.
As shown in Figure 1, the mouthpiece 2 of the article 1 comprises an upstream
end 2a
adjacent to the rod of aerosol-generating material 3. At the proximal end, the
mouthpiece 2 has a hollow tubular element 7 formed from filamentary tow. This
has
advantageously been found to significantly reduce the temperature of the outer
surface
of the mouthpiece 2 at the downstream end 2b of the mouthpiece which comes
into
contact with a consumer's mouth when the article 1 is in use. In addition, the
use of the
tubular element 7 has also been found to significantly reduce the temperature
of the
outer surface of the mouthpiece 2 even upstream of the tubular element 7.
Without
wishing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesised that this is due to the
tubular element
7 channelling aerosol closer to the centre of the mouthpiece 2, and therefore
reducing
the transfer of heat from the aerosol to the outer surface of the mouthpiece
2.
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The "wall thickness" of the hollow tubular element 7 corresponds to the
thickness of the
wall of the tube 7 in a radial direction. This may be measured, for example,
using a
calliper. The wall thickness is advantageously greater than 0.9 mm, and can be
tornm
or greater. In some examples, the wall thickness is substantially constant
around the
entire wall of the hollow tubular element 7. However, where the wall thickness
is not
substantially constant, the wall thickness may be greater than 0.9 mm at any
point
around the hollow tubular element 7, or Lomm or greater. In the present
example, the
wall thickness of the hollow tubular element 4 is about 1.3 mm.
io A tipping paper 9 is wrapped around the full length of the mouthpiece 2
and over part
of the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 and has an adhesive on its inner
surface to
connect the mouthpiece 2 and rod 3. In the present example, the rod of aerosol-
generating material 3 is wrapped in wrapper 4, which forms a first wrapping
material,
and the tipping paper 9 forms an outer wrapping material which extends at
least
partially over the rod of aerosol-generating material 3 to connect the
mouthpiece 2 and
rod 3. In some examples, the tipping paper 9 can extend only partially over
the rod of
aerosol-generating material 3.
The article 1 has a ventilation level of about to% of the aerosol drawn
through the
article 1. In alternative embodiments, the article 1 can have a ventilation
level of
between 1% and 20% of aerosol drawn through the article 1, for instance
between 1%
and 12%. Ventilation at these levels helps to increase the consistency of the
aerosol
inhaled by the user at the mouth end 2b, while assisting the aerosol cooling
process.
The ventilation is provided directly into the mouthpiece 2 of the article 1.
In the
present example, the ventilation is provided into the cooling section 5, which
has been
found to be particularly beneficial in assisting with the aerosol generation
process. The
ventilation is provided via perforations to, in the present case formed as a
single row of
laser perforations, positioned 13 mm from the downstream, mouth-end 2h of the
mouthpiece 2. In alternative embodiments, two or more rows of ventilation
perforations to may be provided. These perforations to pass though the tipping
paper
9, second plug wrap 11 and cooling section 5. In alternative embodiments, the
ventilation can be provided into the mouthpiece 2 at other locations, for
instance into
the body of material 6 or first tubular element 7. The article 1 may be is
configured such
that the perforations to are provided about 28mm or less from the upstream end
of the
article 1, preferably between 20MM and 28mm from the upstream end of the
article 1.
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In the present example, the apertures are provided about 25mm from the
upstream
end of the article .1.
The aerosol-generating material 3 comprises a plant-based material, such as a
tobacco
material. The aerosol-generating material 3 may be a sheet or shredded sheet
of
aerosolisable material comprising a plant based material, such as tobacco
material.
The plant based material may be a particulate or granular material. In some
embodiments, the plant based material is a powder. Alternatively or in
addition, the
io tobacco material may comprise may comprise strips, strands or fibres of
tobacco. For
example, the tobacco material may comprise particles, granules, fibres, strips
and/or
strands of tobacco. In some embodiments, the tobacco material consists of
particles or
granules of tobacco material.
The density of the tobacco material has an impact on the speed at which heat
conducts
through the material, with lower densities, for instance those below 900
mg/cc,
conducting heat more slowly through the material, and therefore enabling a
more
sustained release of aerosol.
The tobacco material can comprise reconstituted tobacco material having a
density of
less than about 900 mg/cc, for instance paper reconstituted tobacco material.
For
instance, the aerosol-generating material comprises reconstituted tobacco
material
having a density of less than about 800 mg/cc. Alternatively, or in addition,
the
aerosol-generating material can comprise reconstituted tobacco material having
a
density of at least 350 mg/cc.
The tobacco material may comprise tobacco obtained from any part of the
tobacco
plant. In some embodiments, the tobacco material comprises tobacco leaf.
The sheet or shredded sheet can comprise from 5% to about 90% by weight
tobacco
leaf.
The aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise an aerosol-former material. The
aerosol-former material comprises one or more constituents capable of forming
an
aerosol. The aerosol-former material comprises one or more of glycerine,
glycerol,
propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol,
1,3-butylene
glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl
suberate,
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triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl
phenyl acetate,
tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene
carbonate. The
aerosol-former material can be glycerol or propylene glycol.
The sheet or shredded sheet of aerosolisable material comprises an aerosol-
former
material. The aerosol-former material is provided in an amount of up to about
50% on
a dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet. In some
embodiments, the
aerosol former material is provided in an amount of from about 5% to about 40%
on a
dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet, from about 10% to
about 30%
ro on a dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet or from
about ro% to
about 20% on a dry weight base by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet.
The aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise a filler. In some embodiments,
the
sheet or shredded sheet comprises the filler. The filler is generally a non-
tobacco
component, that is, a component that does not include ingredients originating
from
tobacco. The filler may comprise one or more inorganic filler materials, such
as
calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica,
magnesium
oxide, magnesium sulphate, magnesium carbonate, and suitable inorganic
sorbents,
such as molecular sieves. The filler may be a non-tobacco fibre such as wood
fibre or
pulp or wheat fibre. The filler can be a material comprising cellulose or a
material
comprises a derivate of cellulose. The filler component may also be a non-
tobacco cast
material or a non-tobacco extruded material.
The aerosol-generating material 3 herein can comprise an aerosol modifying
agent,
such as any of the flavours described herein. In one embodiment, the aerosol-
generating material 3 comprises menthol. When the aerosol-generating material
3 is
incorporated into an article 1 for use in an aerosol-provision system, the
article may be
referred to as a mentholated article 1. The aerosol-generating material 3 can
comprise
from o.5mg to 2omg of menthol, from 0.7 mg to 20 mg of menthol, between ring
and
18mg or between 8mg and 16mg of menthol.
In some embodiments, the composition comprises an aerosol-forming "amorphous
solid", which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e.
non-fibrous).
In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may comprise a dried gel. The
amorphous
solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within
it.
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In some examples, the amorphous solid comprises:
- 1-6o wt% of a gelling agent;
- 0.1-50 wt% of an aerosol-former material; and
- 0.1-80 wt% of a flavour;
wherein these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.
In some further embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises:
- 1-50 wt% of a gelling agent;
- 0.1-50 wt% of an aerosol-former material; and
- 30-60 wt% of a flavour;
wherein these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.
The amorphous solid material may be provided in sheet or in shredded sheet
form. The
amorphous solid material may take the same form as the sheet or shredded sheet
of
aerosolisable material.
The aerosol-generating material 3 can comprise a paper reconstituted tobacco
material.
The composition can alternatively or additionally comprise any of the forms of
tobacco
described herein. The aerosol generating material 3 can comprise a sheet or
shredded
sheet comprising tobacco material comprising between 10% and 90% by weight
tobacco
leaf, wherein an aerosol-former material is provided in an amount of up to
about 20%
by weight of the sheet or shredded sheet, and the remainder of the tobacco
material
comprises paper reconstituted tobacco.
Where the aerosol-generating material 3 comprises an amorphous solid material,
the
amorphous solid material may be a dried gel comprising menthol.
In Figure 4, the components of an embodiment of a non-combustible aerosol
provision
device 100 are shown in a simplified manner. Particularly, the elements of the
non-
combustible aerosol provision device 100 are not drawn to scale in Figure 4.
Elements
that are not relevant for the understanding of this embodiment have been
omitted to
simplify Figure 4.
As shown in Figure 4, the non-combustible aerosol provision device 100
comprises a
non-combustible aerosol-provision device having a housing 101 comprising an
area 102
102 for receiving an article 1.
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The area 102 is arranged to receive the article 1. When the article 1 is
received into the
area 102, at least a portion of the aerosol-generating material 3 comes into
thermal
proximity with the heater 103. When the article 1 is fully received in the
area 102, at
least a portion of the aerosol-generating material 3 may be in direct contact
with the
heater 103. The aerosol-forming material 3 will release a range of volatile
compounds
at different temperatures. By controlling the maximum operation temperature of
the
electrically heated aerosol generating system 100, the selective release of
undesirable
compounds may be controlled by preventing the release of select volatile
compounds.
As shown in Figure 5, within the housing 101 there is an electrical energy
supply 104,
for example a rechargeable lithium ion battery. A controller 105 is connected
to the
heater 103, the electrical energy supply 104, and a user interface 106, for
example a
button or display. The controller 105 controls the power supplied to the
heater 103 in
order to regulate its temperature. Typically, the aerosol-forming substrate is
heated to
a temperature of between 250 and 450 degrees centigrade.
Figure 6 is a schematic cross-section of a non-combustible aerosol-provision
device 100
of the type shown in Figure 4, with the heater 103 inserted into the aerosol-
generating
material 3 of an article 1. The non-combustible aerosol provision device 100
is
illustrated in engagement with the aerosol-generating article 1 for
consumption of the
aerosol-generating article 1 by a user.
The housing 101 of non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 defines an
area 102 in
the form of a cavity, open at the proximal end (or mouth end), for receiving
an aerosol-
generating article 1 for consumption. The distal end of the cavity is spanned
by a
heating assembly comprising a heater 103. The heater 103 is retained by a
heater
mount (not shown) such that an active heating area of the heater is located
within the
cavity. The active heating area of the heater 103 is positioned within the
aerosol-
generating section of the aerosol-generating article 1 when the aerosol-
generating
article 1 is fully received within the cavity.
The heater 103 is configured for insertion into the aerosol generating
material 3. As the
article 1 is pushed into the device 100, the tapered point of the heater 103
engages with
the aerosol-generating material 3. By applying a force to the article 1, the
heater 103
penetrates into the aerosol-generating material 3. When the article 1 is
properly
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engaged with the non-combustible aerosol provision device 100, the heater 103
is
inserted into the aerosol-generating material 3. When the heater 103 is
actuated,
aerosol-generating material 3 is warmed and volatile substances are generated
or
evolved. As a user draws on the mouthpiece 2, air is drawn into the article 1
and the
volatile substances condense to form an inhalable aerosol. This aerosol passes
through
the mouthpiece 2 of the article 1 and into the user's mouth.
Irrespective of the composition of the aerosol-generating material 3,
embodiments of
the invention provide an aerosol-generating material 3 having a cavity 20 that
extends
io in a longitudinal direction from the distal end D in a direction towards
the proximal
end P so that, when the article 1 is inserted into the device 100, the heating
element 103
of the device loo is received in the cavity 20.
In some embodiments, the cavity 20 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis X-X'
of the
article and the aerosol-generating material 3 may be tubular in shape. In
other
embodiments, the cavity 20 may be offset from the longitudinal axis X-X',
and/or
comprise multiple cavities 20, one or more of which may receive a heating
element 103
when the article 1 is inserted into a device wo.
The cavity or cavities 20 may extend for the entire length of the aerosol-
generating
material 3. Alternatively, some or all the cavities 20 may extend for part of
the length of
the aerosol-generating material 3.
In embodiments of the invention, an inner surface 21 of the cavity 20, i.e. an
inner wall
21 of the aerosol-generating material 3, may be profiled or have an adapted
flow path,
to increase the surface area of the aerosol-generating material 3, and the
contact time
between the aerosol and the aerosol-generating material 3. For example, the
inner wall
21 may have rifling-type pattern formed in it, such as a helically-shaped
groove or
recess. The heating element 103 of the device 100 may have a complementary
shape, so
that the article 1 is rotated during insertion to effectively screw the
aerosol-generating
material 3 onto the heating element 103. In other embodiments, the heating
element
103 may be a pin or blade that slides into the cavity 20 without any rotation
being
required, and irrespective of any profile that may be cut into the inner wall
21. For
example, in another embodiment the inner wall 21 of the aerosol-generating
material 3
may have linear flutes or grooves that may extend in a longitudinal direction
between
the upstream and downstream ends of the article 1.
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Although the or each cavity 20 may have a circular cross-section, as shown in
the cross-
sectional view of Figure 3a, other cross-sections are possible. For example,
the cross-
section of a cavity 20 may be in the shape of a slot, as shown in Figure 3h,
or be star-
shaped, as shown in Figure 3c. It may also have some other non-circular cross-
section.
In these embodiments, the heating element 103 can be cylindrical, i.e. in the
form of a
pin, to avoid having to orientate the heating element 103 and the cavity 20
with each
other prior to insertion. However, it is possible that the heating element 103
and the
cavity 20 may both have the same cross-sectional shape.
Irrespective of the shape of the cavity 20, and irrespective of whether the
cavity 20 and
the heating element 103 have the same cross-sectional shape, the heating
element 103
may be a snug or interference fit in the cavity 20. In certain embodiments,
the heating
element 103 may have a size which is slightly larger than that of the cavity
20 so that
the aerosol-generating material 3 is compressed or deformed by the heating
element
103 during insertion into the device 100.
In any embodiments of the invention, the inner wall 21 of the cavity 20 of the
aerosol-
generating material 3 may be coated or otherwise bounded by a layer of a
material
different to the aerosol-generating material. For example, an amorphous solid,
and/or
a gel and/or a sheet material layer such as paper, or another layer of aerosol-
generating
material different to the first, may be disposed on the inner wall 21. The
cavity or
cavities in the aerosol-generating material therefore extends through this
second
material layer. The inner material layer may have a lower coefficient of
friction
compared to the aerosol-generating material so that the heating element 103
slides into
the cavity 20 more easily.
In a particular embodiment, a liner extends across at least a part of the
inner wall 21 of
the cavity 20 so that the heating element 103 is separated from the aerosol-
generating
material 3 by the liner. The liner can be formed from a heat-conducting
material, so
so that it improves the consistency of heating of the aerosol-generating
material 3 and so
that the aerosol-generating material will be heated more uniformly. Hygiene is
also
improved, as the heating element 103 does not come into direct contact with
the
aerosol-generating material 3 and so cannot stick to the aerosol-generating
material 3.
Disruption of the aerosol-generating material 3 is also minimised or
prevented.
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Particular examples of thermally conductive materials that are considered
suitable for
the liner include a metal or metal alloy, polymer ceramic or graphite. It will
be
appreciated that the cavity 20 can be lined and take different forms or
shapes, such as
those illustrated with reference to to Figure 3.
In some embodiments of the invention, the heating element 103 and the cavity
20 into
which it is inserted have different cross-sections so that the heating element
103 does
not entirely fill the cavity 20, leaving a passage or passages for the flow of
aerosol
between the inner wall of the aerosol-generating material 3 and the heating
element
103. It will also be understood that there may be multiple cavities 20 only
one or some
io of which are occupied by the heating element 103, leaving other passages
free to allow
for the flow of aerosol through the aerosol-generating material 3. By
controlling the size
of the passage in relation to the size of the heating element 103, or by
providing
additional cavities 20 that are not occupied by the heating element 103, the
resistance
to draw through the aerosol-generating material 3 can be controlled, and
optimised, for
a particular product or market. Figure 3e shows an arrangement in which there
are five
cavities, the heating element being configured to be received in the central
cavity
coaxial with the longitudinal axis X-X'. The remaining cavities form flow
passages
through the aerosol-generating material, and may be of the same or a different
size or
shape to the central cavity 20 that receives the heating element 103 of the
device 100.
In some embodiments, the passage for the flow of aerosol is formed as an
integral part
of the cavity 20 in which the heating element 103 is received. In particular,
the heating
element 103 and the cavity 20 are of different cross-sectional shapes, to form
passages
between the heating element 103 and the inner wall of the aerosol-generating
material
3. In a particular embodiment, the heating element 103 is cylindrical, i.e. in
the form of
a pin, but the cavity 20 has a cross-section in the form of a keyhole shape
having a
generally circular section with a lobe 21a extending from it, as shown in
Figure 3d, so
that the heating element 103 is received in the generally circular section of
the cavity 20
leaving the remaining lobe 21a open to form a free passage for the flow of
aerosol
through the aerosol-generating material 3. The size of the lobe 21a, and/or
number of
lobes 21a, may be determined on the basis of the required resistance to draw.
In any of the embodiments of the invention, the cavity or cavities 20 in the
aerosol-
generating material 3 may not be uniform along their length. For example,
their shape
may differ along the length of the aerosol-generating material 3, or the
cavity 20 may
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taper. For example, the cavity 20 may narrow in a direction extending away
from the
distal end of the aerosol-generating material 3.
In any embodiment, the aerosol-generating material 3 may be extruded through a
die.
In this manufacturing method, the die can be provided with a mandrel over
which the
aerosol-generating material 3 is extruded, in order to form the cavity 20 in
the aerosol-
generating material 3. The mandrel may be cylindrical, but it can have other
shapes or
configurations to form the required cross-sectional shape cavity within the
aerosol-
generating material 3.
In an alternate embodiment, the aerosol-generating material 3 may formed in a
moulding process by placing it within a mould and allowing it to set to retain
the shape
of the mould. The mould may have an inner core shaped to form the cavity 20
within
the aerosol-generating material 3.
In any embodiment of the invention, the article 1 may comprise a plug 25 at
the distal
end D, as shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the heating element 103 is
inserted
into the aerosol-generating material 3 through the plug 25. The plug 25 may
have a hole
or holes extending through it. The hole(s) may be positioned to correspond
with the
cavity or cavities 20 in the aerosol generating material 3 so that the heating
element
103 of the device 100 passes through the hole(s) in the plug 25 before passing
into the
cavity or cavities 20 in the aerosol-generating material 3. The hole or holes
in the plug
may have the same or a different cross-sectional shape to the cross-sectional
shape
of the cavity 20 in the aerosol-generating material 3.
The plug 25 can be made from a resiliently compressible material so that it
will deform
in response to the heating element 103 being pushed through it. A hole in the
plug 25
may reduce the force required for insertion of the heating element 103 through
the plug
25. The hole in the plug 25 may have a cross-sectional shape that compliments
the
cross-sectional shape of the heating element 103. For example, if the heating
element
103 is a pin and has a cylindrical cross-section, the hole in the plug 25 may
also be
cylindrical. Alternatively, if the heating element 103 is a blade, the hole in
the plug 25
may be shaped as a slot.
The plug 25 may wipe the heating element 103 during extraction. Ideally,
therefore, the
size of the hole in the plug 25 is marginally smaller than the size of the
heating element
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103 so that the material of the plug 25 will contact the surface of the
heating element
103 to carry out the wiping function during extraction.
The plug 25 may be formed of paper. In particular, the plug 25 may be formed
from a
gathered sheet or sheets of paper, or a gathered and crimped sheet or sheets
of paper.
The extent to which the paper is gathered controls the resistance to insertion
of the
heating element 103 through the plug. A tightly gathered paper plug 25 will
have a
greater resistance to insertion of the heating element 103 in relation to a
more loosely
gathered paper plug 25.
Once the heating element 103 is received in the aerosol-generating material 3,
the
article 1 is also more securely retained by the plug 25. This makes the
article 1 and
device 100 easier to use and also safer because the article 1 may be less
likely to become
displaced from the device 100 during use.
The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in
understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are
provided as
a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or
exclusive.
It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions,
features,
structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered
limitations
on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on
equivalents to
the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may
be
made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various
embodiments
of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of,
appropriate
combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps,
means, etc,
other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure
may include
other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.
CA 03222278 2023- 12- 11
