Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES OF CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
  • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
  • A24D1/20—Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision device, a system comprising the article and a non-combustible aerosol provision device.
• an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device comprising an aerosol-generating section having a first axial end and a second axial end, wherein the aerosol-generating section comprises aerosol-generating material, wherein the article extends between a first article axial end and a second article axial end, and wherein the article further comprises a first segment between the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section and the first article axial end, and a second segment between the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section and the second article axial end, wherein the first segment is different to the second segment.
• the first segment may extend between a first segment input end and a first segment output end, wherein the first segment input end is closer to the aerosol-generating section than the first segment output end, and wherein the second segment extends between a second segment input end and a second segment output end, wherein the second segment input end is closer to the aerosol-generating section than the second segment output end, wherein a first pressure drop across the first segment from the first segment input end to the first segment output end, is greater than a second pressure drop across the second segment from the second segment input end to the second segment output end.
• the first pressure drop across the first segment may be at least ten percent greater than the second pressure drop across the second segment.
• the first segment may comprise a first body of material.
• the second segment may comprise a second body of material.
• the total density of the first body of material may be greater than the total density of the second body of material.
• the first body of material may have a first density per millimetre of axial length and the second body of material may have a second density per millimetre of axial length, wherein the first density per millimetre of axial length is greater than the second density per millimetre of axial length.
• the first density per millimetre of axial length may be at least ten percent greater than the second density per millimetre of axial length.
• the first body of material may be formed by sheet material such as paper, bandcast tobacco or cellulose-based material.
• the second body of material may be formed by sheet material such as paper, bandcast tobacco or cellulose-based material.
• the sheet material of the first body of material may be crimped.
• the sheet material of the second body of material may be crimped.
• the spacing between peaks and troughs of the crimps of the sheet material of the first body of material may be less than the spacing between peaks and troughs of the sheet material of the second body of material.
• the first body of material may comprise cellulose acetate tow.
• the second body of the second material may comprise cellulose acetate tow.
• the denier per filament of the first body of material may be less than the denier per filament of the second body of material.
• the dernier per filament of the first body of material may be at least 20 percent less than the dernier per filament of the second body of material.
• the total denier of the first body of material may be greater than the total denier of the second body of material.
• the total dernier of the first body of material may be at least 20 percent greater than the total dernier of the second body of material.
• the second segment may comprise a tube comprising an internal channel.
• the axial length of the first segment may be greater than the axial length of the second segment.
• the axial length of the first body of material may be greater than the axial length of the second body of material.
• the article may further comprise an outer wrapper which circumscribes the aerosol-generating material.
• the outer wrapper may further circumscribe the first segment and/or the second segment.
• the outer wrapper may comprise at least one air permeable section for providing a flow path through the outer wrapper.
• the at least one air permeable section may be between the first axial end of the aerosol generating section and the second axial end of the aerosol generating section.
• the first segment may be formed from a different type of material to the second segment.
• the second body of material may comprise one or more bore holes.
• the first segment may have a higher filtration efficacy than the second segment.
• the first segment may be configured to filter around ten percent or more constitutes than the second segment from the aerosol which is generated by the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating section.
• the first segment may be configured to filter one or more specific constituents from the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating section and the second segment may not able to filter the one or more specific constituents.
• a system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article.
• the device comprises a chamber for receiving the article, the chamber having a first axial end and a second axial end, and a heater for heating the article when it is located in the chamber, wherein the article can be located in the chamber in a first configuration and in a second configuration which is different to the first configuration.
• the first article axial end and the second article axial end may be located within the chamber.
• the chamber may comprise a vent between the first axial end of the chamber and the second axial end of the chamber.
• the at least one air permeable section may aligns with the vent when the article is located in the chamber in the first configuration and/or in the second configuration for allowing air to flow into the article through the vent and the at least one air permeable section.
• Figs. 1A to 1D show an example of an article 1 for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device.
• the article 1 extends between a first article axial end 11 and a second article axial end 12.
• the first article axial end 11 is a free end of the article.
• the second article axial end 12 is a free end of the article.
• the article comprises an aerosol-generating section 30 which extends between a first axial end 4 and a second axial end 5, which can be seen in Fig. 1B in which the outer wrapper has been partly removed from the article.
• the aerosol-generating section 30 comprises aerosol-generating material 3.
• the article 1 has an axis 8.
• the aerosol-generating material 3 is in the form of a rod of aerosol-generating material.
• the rod of aerosol-generating material extends along the axis 8.
• a first segment 9 is located between the first axial end 4 of the aerosol generating section 30 and the first article axial end 11.
• a second segment 10 is located between the second axial end 5 of the aerosol generating section 30 and the second article axial end 12.
• the first segment 9 abuts the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section 30.
• the second segment 10 abuts the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section 30.
• the first segment 9 extends between the first article axial end 11 and the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section.
• the second segment 10 extends between the second article axial end 12 and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section.
• first segment 9 and the aerosol-generating section 30 there may be a separation between the first segment 9 and the aerosol-generating section 30 and/or between the second segment 10 and the aerosol-generating section 30. Additionally or alternatively, there may be an additional component between the first segment 9 and the first article axial end 11, and/or an additional component between the second segment 10 and the second article axial end 12.
• the outer wrapper 6 surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30 around the axis 8.
• the outer wrapper 6 can be said to circumscribe the aerosol-generating section 30.
• the outer wrapper 6 extends from the first axial end 4 to the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section.
• the outer wrapper 6 further circumscribes the first segment 9 and the second segment 10.
• the outer wrapper extends to the first article axial end 11 and the second article axial end 12.
• the outer wrapper 6 circumscribes the first wrapper 1001 and the second wrapper 1002, which are discussed in more detail below. In another embodiment, the outer wrapper 6 does not circumscribe the first segment 9 and/or the second segment 10.
• the outer wrapper 6 comprises tipping paper.
• the outer wrapper 6 is opaque.
• the outer wrapper 6 may be formed from a different material or the outer wrapper 6 may not extend to the first article axial end 11 and/or to the second article axial end 12.
• the first segment 9 comprises a first body of material 52.
• the second segment 10 comprises a second body of material 53.
• the first body of material 52 abuts the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section.
• the second body of material 53 abuts the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section.
• the first segment 9 forms a closure which extends across the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating material to cover the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating material for maintaining the aerosol-generating material 3 within the article.
• the second segment 10 forms a closure which extends across the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating material to cover the second axial end of the aerosol-generating material for maintaining the aerosol-generating material 3 within the article.
• the first and second segments 9, 10 can be said to fully cover the first and second axial ends 4, 5 of the aerosol-generating section respectively.
• an internal channel may extend through the first segment 9 so that the first segment partially covers the first axial end of the aerosol-generating material, and/or an internal channel may extend through the second segment 10 so that the second segment partially covers the second axial end of the aerosol-generating material.
• the first segment 9 is different to the second segment 10.
• the first segment 9 extends between a first segment input end 59 and a first segment output end 58.
• the first segment input end 59 is closer to the aerosol-generating section 30 than the first segment output end 58.
• the second segment 10 extends between a second segment input end 60 and a second segment output end 61.
• the second segment input end 60 is closer to the aerosol-generating section 30 than the second segment output end 61.
• the pressure drop across the first segment 9 from the first segment input end 59 to the first segment output end 58 is greater than the pressure drop across the second segment 10 from the second segment input end 60 to the second segment output end 61.
• the pressure drop across the first segment 9 and the second segment 10 must be measured under the same conditions.
• the pressure drop could be measured in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 6565:2015.
• ISO International Organization for Standardization
• the pressure drop is the static pressure difference between the two ends of a test piece completely encapsulated in a measuring device such that no air can pass through the outer membrane (or wrapping) when it is traversed by an air flow under steady conditions in which the measured volumetric flow, under standard conditions, at the output end (3.4) is 17,5 ml/s, as defined in ISO 3402.
• the test piece would be the first segment 9 or the second segment 10.
• the pressure drop is measured with the air flowing in the direction from the first segment input end 59 to the first segment output end 58.
• the pressure drop across the second segment is measured with the air flowing in the direction from the first segment input end 60 to the first segment output end 61.
• the pressure drop across the first segment may be at least ten percent greater than the pressure drop across the second segment. For example, if the pressure drop across the second segment is 2mmWG then the pressure drop across the first segment is at least 2.2mmWG.
• the pressure drop across the first segment may be 0.1mmWG to 80mmWG.
• the pressure drop across the first segment may be 0.1mmWG to 10mmWG and optionally 0.2mmWG to 6.0mmWG.
• the total pressure drop across the article 1 may be up to 80 or 90 mmWg.
• the first segment 9 is formed by a first body of material 52.
• the second segment 10 is formed by a second body of material 53.
• the first body of material 52 abuts the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section.
• the second body of material 53 abuts the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section.
• the first body of material 52 covers the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section.
• the second body of material 53 covers the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section.
• the total density of the first body of material 52 may be greater than the total density of the second body of material 53.
• the first body of material 52 may have a first density per millimetre of axial length
• the second body of material 53 may have a second density per millimetre of axial length.
• the first density per millimetre of axial length may be greater than the second density per millimetre of axial length.
• the first density per mm of axial length may be
• the first density per millimetre of axial length is at least ten percent greater than the second density per millimetre of axial length.
• the first body of material 52 may be formed from a different type of material to the second body of material 53.
• the types of material which the first segment and the second segment may be made formed from include a woven or non-woven material, cellulose acetate, paper or cellulose-derived materials.
• the first segment may have a greater axial length than the second segment 10.
• the first body of material 52 is formed by sheet material such as paper, bandcast reconstituted tobacco or cellulose-based material.
• the sheet material is crimped and/or gathered to form the first body of material 52, as shown, for example, in Figs 1B and 1C .
• the first body of material 52 may be formed from shredded or cut strips of the sheet material.
• the first body of material 52 may be formed from a cellulose-based material such as wood pulp or cotton.
• the second body of material 53 is formed by sheet material such as paper or bandcast reconstituted tobacco or cellulose-based material.
• the sheet material is crimped and/or gathered to form the second body of material 53.
• the second body of material 53 may be formed from shredded or cut strips of the sheet material.
• the second body of material may be formed from a cellulose-based material such as wood pulp or cotton.
• the spacing S A between peaks 62A and troughs 63A of the crimps of the sheet material of the first body of material 52 is less than the spacing S B between peaks 62B and troughs 63B of the sheet material of the second body of material, as illustrated schematically in Figs. 2A and 2B , where the sheet materials are illustrated before they are gathered to form the first body of material 52 and the second body of material 53, respectively.
• the second body of material may have a lower filtration efficacy than the first body of material in view of the difference in spacing of the peaks and troughs.
• the first body of material 52 may be formed from cellulose acetate tow
• the second body of material 52 may be formed from cellulose acetate tow.
• the denier per filament of the first body of material 52 is less than the denier per filament of the second body of material 53.
• the dernier per filament of the first body of material is at least 20 percent less than the dernier per filament of the second body of material and optionally the dernier per filament of the first body of material is at least 50 percent less than the dernier per filament of the second body of material.
• the denier per filament of the cellulose acetate tow which forms the first body of material may be around 8 .
• the denier per filament of the cellulose acetate tow which forms the second body of material 53 may be around 1.5 Alternatively or additionally, the total denier of the first body of material may be greater than the total denier of the second body of material.
• the total dernier of the first body of material may be at least 20 percent greater than the total dernier of the second body of material and optionally the total dernier of the first body of material may be at least 50 percent greater than the total dernier of the second body of material.
• the total denier of the cellulose acetate tow which forms the first body of material may be around 46000
• the total denier of the cellulose acetate tow which forms the second body of material may be around 28000
• the first body of material 52 may be formed from a different type of material to the first body of material 52.
• the first body of material 52 could be formed from a sheet material and the second body of material 53 could be formed from cellulose acetate tow.
• the first body of material 52 has an additive 1000 in the form of an aerosol-generating material formed as a film or a gel, or in a breakable capsule.
• the aerosol-generating material comprise a flavour such as menthol.
• the second body of material 53 may or may not comprise an additive in the form of an aerosol-generating material.
• the additive 1000 may be omitted.
• the first segment 9 is air permeable for providing a flow path through the first segment.
• the second segment 10 is air permeable for providing a flow path through the second segment.
• the first segment 9 may additionally or alternatively have a higher filtration efficacy than the second segment 10.
• the first segment 9 is able to filter a greater total amount of constituents from the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material 3 compared to the total amount of constituents from the aerosol-generating material 3 which can be filtered by the second segment.
• the first segment may be able to filter around 10% or more constituents from the aerosol which is generated from the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating section than the second segment.
• the constitutes may include one or more of total particulate matter, nicotine and/or glycerol, for example.
• the first segment 9 is able to filter one or more specific constituents from the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material 3 and the second segment 10 is not able to filter the one or more specific constituents from the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material 3.
• the filtration efficacy of the first segment 9 and second segment 10 must be compared under the same conditions, for example by conducting emissions testing.
• the first body of material 52 may comprise a first additive for removing substances from aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material.
• the first additive comprises activated charcoal.
• the second body of material does not comprise an additive for removing substances from aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material.
• the second body of material 53 either does not comprise the aerosol modifier or the second body of material 53 comprises the aerosol modifier but has a lower total amount of the aerosol modifier than the total amount of the aerosol modifier in the first body of material 52.
• the aerosol modifier may alternatively include sepiolite, coconut shell carbon silica or Blucher, for example.
• the pressure drop across the first segment 9 is the same as the pressure drop across the second segment 10 but the first segment 9 is different to the second segment 10 since the first segment 9 has a higher filtration efficacy that the second segment 10, as discussed in more detail above.
• the aerosol-generating material 3 in the aerosol-generating section 30 may be of varying forms.
• the aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise tobacco or another material.
• the aerosol-generating material 3 may comprise nicotine.
• the aerosol-generating material 3 and/or article may comprise an aerosol former in an amount of greater than 10% by weight of the aerosol-generating material 3.
• An aerosol-former material comprises one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol.
• the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.
• the first segment 9 has a first wrapper 1001 which circumscribes the first body of material 52.
• the second segment 10 has a second wrapper 1002 which circumscribes the second body of material 53.
• the first and second wrappers 1001, 1002 may be omitted.
• the outer wrapper 6 comprises air permeable sections in the form of windows 7.
• the windows 7 are in the shape of circles although it will be appreciated that a window 7 could alternatively have other shapes such as an oval or have straight sides.
• the aerosol-generating material 3 is visible through each of the windows 7. Although two windows 7 are shown in Fig. 1A , it will be appreciated that more than two windows 7 could be provided in the outer wrapper 6 or just one window 7.
• Each window 7 is formed by a hole in the outer wrapper.
• a window 7 may be formed by a transparent section or a translucent section in the outer wrapper 6.
• a window 7 may be formed by a porous section in the wrapper, for example the porous section may be translucent.
• the air permeable section is in the form of a window 7 then this allows a user to identify the article.
• the user can see the aerosol-generating material 3 through the windows 7 to ascertain or confirm its form.
• the window also allows the user to identify if the article has been used or not yet used in a non-combustible aerosol provision device, if the aerosol-generating material undergoes a visual change during use in the device.
• the or each window 7 extends across an axial length of at least 1mm.
• the axial length of the or each window may be up to around 5mm or up to around 22mm. This allows the aerosol-generating material 3 to be easily visible and/or air to flow through the window.
• the windows 7 are provided between the first axial end 4 and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol generating section 30.
• the or each window 7 may be centrally located between the first axial end 4 and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol generating section 30.
• the article 1 further comprises a second wrapper 15 which surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30.
• the second wrapper 15 extends between the first and second axial ends 4, 5 of the aerosol generating section 30.
• the outer wrapper 6 surrounds the second wrapper 15, as shown, for example, in Fig. 1C which is a cross-section taken along the line A-A from Fig. 1A .
• the second wrapper 15 is transparent or translucent for allowing the aerosol-generating material to be seen through the windows 7 and the second wrapper 15.
• the second wrapper 15 may be made from a shine-through paper.
• the second wrapper 15 may prevent the aerosol-generating material 3 from falling out through the windows 7 if the windows 7 are in the form of holes in the outer wrapper 6.
• the second wrapper 15 comprises perforations which form an air permeable section which is aligned with the or each window 7 for allowing air to flow through the window 7 and the second wrapper 15. It will be appreciated that the air permeable section in the second wrapper 15 could alternatively be formed by a porous section, for example.
• the second wrapper 15 could instead be a sheet of aerosol-generating material which is visible through the windows 7.
• the sheet of aerosol-generating material could comprise a tobacco material and/or an organic material, for example.
• the second wrapper 15 could be omitted from the article.
• the second wrapper 15 may not be necessary, for example if the aerosol-generating material has a form such that it will not fall out through the window 7 or if the window 7 is not present.
• the article 1 and the aerosol-generating material 3 are in the shape of a cylinder although it will be appreciated that they do not need to be limited to this shape or to having a circular cross section.
• the first body of material 52 has the same axial length as the second body of material 53.
• the axial length of the first body of material 52 may be greater than the axial length of the second body of material 53 for providing a greater pressure drop across the first segment 9 than the pressure drop across the second segment 10.
• the first part of the outer wrapper 106A surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30 towards the first axial end 4 of the aerosol generating section.
• the first part of the outer wrapper 106A fully surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30 around its circumference.
• the first part of the outer wrapper 106A also surrounds the first segment 9, although it will be appreciated that the first part of the outer wrapper 106A may not extend to the first end 11 of the article 100.
• the second part of the outer wrapper 106B surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30 towards the first axial end 5 of the aerosol generating section.
• the second part of the outer wrapper 106B fully surrounds the aerosol-generating section around its circumference.
• the second part of the outer wrapper 106B also surrounds the second segment 10, although it will be appreciated that the second part of the outer wrapper 106B may not extend to the second end 12 of the article 100.
• the separation may be at least 1mm.
• the separation may be up to around 5mm or up to around 22mm.
• the separation extends around the entire circumference of the article so that the window extends around the entire circumference of the article.
• the separation may extend only partly around the circumference, so that the window is formed along part of the circumference. Multiple windows may be formed if multiple separations are formed at different positions around the circumference of the article between the first part of the outer wrapper 106A and the second part of the outer wrapper 106B.
• Fig. 3B shows the first and second parts of the wrapper 106A, 106B being partly removed from the article 100. The parts of the wrapper have been lifted up to see the underneath construction of the article 100.
• the first segment is different to the second segment as discussed herein.
• the articles discussed in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D and 3A and 3B include air permeable sections in the form windows. However, these articles may be modified so that the windows are not present in the article or instead of providing a window, perforations or a porous section may be provided in the wrapper to form an air permeable section.
• Figs. 4A and 4B show an article 400.
• the article of Figs. 4A and 4B has corresponding features to those described in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D , and corresponding reference numerals relate to corresponding features.
• the air permeable section 407 comprises perforations 409 in the wrapper 406.
• the air permeable section 407 is provided between the first and the second axial ends 4, 5 of the aerosol-generating section 30.
• the air permeable section 407 has a circular shape.
• the perforations 409 define a circle-shaped area and perforations 409 are within the circle-shaped area.
• the perforations 409 may define an area having straight sides, and perforations 409 are within the area.
• the air permeable section 407 extends across an axial length of at least 1mm.
• the axial length of the air permeable section 407 may be up to around 5mm or up to around 22mm.
• the size of the air permeable section 407 allows the air to flow at a desired rate through the air permeable section.
• the axial length of the air-permeable section may have other dimensions in other embodiments.
• the air permeable section 407 is centrally located between the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating material and the second axial end 5 of the aerosol-generating section. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the air permeable section 407 may be located closer to the first axial end 4 of the aerosol-generating section, for example.
• the air permeable section may instead be porous.
• the article 400 further comprises a second wrapper 15 which surrounds the aerosol-generating section 30, as discussed for example, in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D .
• the outer wrapper 406 surrounds the second wrapper 15.
• the second wrapper 15 comprises perforations or a porous section or a hole which aligns with the air permeable section 407 in the first wrapper 406.
• the second wrapper 15 may not be present in the article 500.
• the first segment is different to the second segment as discussed herein.
• Figs. 5A and 5B show an alternative example of an article 950.
• the first segment 9 comprises a body of material 52, as discussed above in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D , and corresponding reference numerals relate to corresponding features.
• the second segment is in the form of a tube 952.
• the internal surface of the tube 952 forms an internal channel 953. Having the second segment in the form of a tube 952, and the first segment comprising a first body of material 52, allows the pressure drop across the first segment to be greater than the pressure drop across the second segment.
• the first segment 9 may have a higher filtration efficiency than the second segment.
• the first body of material 52 may comprise an aerosol modifier, such as activated charcoal, for removing substances from aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material 3.
• the tube 952 may be formed from paper.
• the tube 952 abuts the second end 5 of the aerosol-generating section 5.
• the tube 952 extends between the second end 5 of the aerosol-generating section 30 and the second article axial end 12.
• the tube 952 extends between a second segment input end 160 and a second segment output end 161.
• the second segment input end 160 is closer to the aerosol-generating section 30 than the second segment output end 161.
• the pressure drop across the first segment 9 from the first segment input end 59 to the first segment output end 58 is greater than the pressure drop across the tube 952 from the second segment input end 160 to the second segment output end 161.
• the outer wrapper 6 comprises a window 7 for forming an air-permeable section through the wrapper, as discussed in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D .
• the window 7 may not be present in the outer wrapper 6 or the outer wrapper 6 may comprise perforations for forming an air permeable section thought the outer wrapper.
• Figs. 6A to 6C show an example of a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device 2, and an article such as the article 1 described in relation to Figs. 1A to 1D .
• the article could be any of the articles described or contemplated herein.
• the aerosol provision device 2 is configured to receive the article 1 and to generate an aerosol or inhalable medium from the aerosol-generating material 3 to be inhaled by a user.
• the aerosol provision device 2 comprises a body 34 having a housing 18 or outer cover which surrounds and houses various components of the device within the body 34.
• the device 2 comprises a chamber 35 within the body 34 for receiving the article 1 into the device 1.
• the chamber 35 has an opening 33 through which the article 1 is inserted into the chamber 35.
• the chamber 35 extends along an axis 49.
• the chamber 35 extends between a first axial end 46 and a second axial end 47.
• the device 2 comprises a mouthpiece 31 which engages with the body 34.
• the mouthpiece 31 has a first end 44 for contacting a user's mouth and a second end 45 for connecting to the body 44.
• the mouthpiece 31 has a passage 22 which extends through the mouthpiece 31 from a first opening 54 at the first end 44 of the mouthpiece to a second opening 55 at the second end 45 of the mouthpiece for conveying aerosol through the mouthpiece for inhalation by a user.
• the mouthpiece 31 is movable relative to the body 34 to allow a user to close the chamber, and to access the chamber 35 to insert the article 1 therein.
• the mouthpiece 31 may be removably attached to the body 34 by magnets, or the mouthpiece 31 may be attached to the body 34 by a hinged or other type of connection.
• the diameter of the second opening 55 of the passage 22 is less than the diameter of the opening 33 of the chamber 35 for maintaining the article in the chamber when the mouthpiece is connected to the body.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision device 2 comprises an aerosol generator, such as a heater, for heating the aerosol-generating material 3 to release the aerosol therefrom.
• the heater is provided in the body 34.
• the heater has a first part 32A and a second part 32B which circumferentially surround the chamber 35.
• aerosol generators such as induction heaters or pin heaters may be provided.
• the heater in Fig. 6C aligns with the aerosol-generating section 30 when the article 1 is located in the chamber.
• Fig. 6C the article 1 is shown to be fully enclosed in the chamber 35.
• the first and second axial ends 11, 12 of the article 1 are located within the chamber 35.
• the chamber 35 comprises a vent 36.
• the vent 36 is located between the first axial end 46 and the second axial end 47 of the chamber. If the article comprises an air permeable section, such as a window 7, then this aligns with the vent 36 when the article 1 is located in the chamber 35 for allowing air to flow into the article 1 through the vent 36 and the window 7 in use.
• the vent 36 aligns with the air permeable section of the article which is between the first end 4 of the aerosol-generating section and the second end 5 of the aerosol generating section.
• the vent 36 may additionally or alternatively prevent condensation from building up within the chamber 35.
• the opening 33 to the chamber and the passageway 22 allows air, and any aerosol entrained therein, to flow out from the article 1.
• the air permeable section 407 aligns with the vent 36 when the article 400 is located in the chamber 35.
• the vent 36 is connected to a passage 38 which extends through the housing 18 to an aperture 136 in the housing.
• the chamber 35 could alternatively be positioned closer to the housing such that a passage 38 is not required.
• the vent 36 may be joined to an aperture 136 in the housing 18.
• the chamber 35 comprises a channel 51 which is connected to the first vent 36.
• the channel 51 extends around the axis 49 of the chamber.
• the channel 51 allows air to flow into or out of the article through the vent 36 and the air permeable section via the channel 51. This can be useful if the article which is inserted in the chamber has more than one air permeable section or if the air permeable section is not perfectly aligned with the vent 36.
• the article 1 can be located in the chamber 35 in a first configuration in which the first article axial end of the article 11 is towards the first axial end 46 of the chamber 35 and the second article axial end of the article 12 is towards the second axial end 47 of the chamber 35 as shown, for example in Fig. 6C .
• the article 1 can be located in the chamber 35 in a second configuration, in which the first article axial end 11 of the article is towards the second axial end 47 of the chamber and the second artile axial end 12 of the article is towards the first axial end 46 of the chamber.
• the air permeable section aligns with the vent 36 when the article 1 is located in the chamber 35 in the first configuration and the second configuration.
• the first configuration air flows into the chamber 35 through the vent 36.
• the air flows into the article 1 through the air permeable section, which may be a window 7.
• the heater 32A, 32B heats the aerosol-generating material 3 to release aerosol therefrom.
• the released aerosol travels through the first segment input end 59 and out of the first segment output end 58 if the article is located in the device in the first configuration.
• the released aerosol travels through the second segment input end 60 and out of the second segment output end 61 if the article is located in the device in the second configuration.
• a user removes the mouthpiece 31 from the body 34 and inserts an article 1 into the chamber 35 through the opening 33. The user then replaces the mouthpiece 31 on the body 34 and activates the heater to heat the aerosol-generating material 3.
• a user draws on the mouthpiece 31 to draw air into the vent 36 and into the aerosol-generating material 3 through the air permeable section in the wrapper.
• the aerosol which is released from the aerosol-generating material 3 travels through the passage 22 from the second end 55 to the first end 54 of the mouthpiece and is inhaled by the user through the first opening 54.
• a user can choose whether to insert the article 1 into the chamber 35 in the first configuration or the second configuration.
• the user's experience will change depending on whether the article is in the first configuration or the second configuration as the first segment 9 is different to the second segment 10.
• the air which flows in through the vent 36 will either travel through the first segment 9 if the article is in the first configuration or the second segment 10 if the article is in the second configuration.
• first segment 9 has a higher filtration efficacy than the second segment 10 then first segment 9 is able to remove a greater total amount of the constituents of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material 3 when the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material 3 is flowing from the first segment input end 59 to the first segment output end 58, compared to the total amount of constituents of the aerosol generated form the aerosol-generating material 3 which are removed by the second segment 10 when the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material 3 is flowing from the second segment input end 60 to the second segment output end 61.
• the first segment 9 may be able to filter one or more specific constituents from the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material 3 when the article is in the first configuration, wherein the one or more specific constituents are not filtered by the second segment 10 when the article is in the second configuration.
• a user can therefore choose their experience by inserting the article in the device in the first configuration or the second configuration.
• the user When the article 1 is used up, the user removes the mouthpiece 31 from the body 34 and places a new article 1 in the chamber 35.
• Fig. 7 is an alternative example of a non-combustible aerosol provision system.
• the system is the same as that described in relation to Figs. 6A to 6C but the chamber 35 does not comprise a vent 36.
• Fig. 7 shows the article 1 inserted in the chamber 35, although any of the other articles described in this application can be used in the system of Fig. 7 .
• the device 34 comprises a heater 132.
• the heater 132 circumscribes the chamber 35.
• the heater 132 aligns with the aerosol-generating section 30.
• the heater 132 aligns with the aerosol-generating section 30.
• first segment 9 has a higher filtration efficacy than the second segment 10 then first segment 9 is able to remove a greater total amount of the constituents of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material 3 when the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material is flowing from the first segment input end 59 to the first segment output end 58, compared to the total amount of constituents of the aerosol which are removed by the second segment 10 when the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material 3 is flowing from the second segment input end 60 to the second segment output end 61.
• the first segment 9 may be able to filter one or more specific constituents from the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material when the article is in the first configuration, wherein the one or more specific constituents are not filtered by the second segment 10 when the article is in the second configuration.
• Any of the devices described herein may comprise alternative heaters such as electromagnetic generators and susceptors.
• the article may also be referred to herein as a consumable.
• 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, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use.
• the heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.
• Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.
• the aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.
• the aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former.
• a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present.
• a solvent such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent.
• the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material.
• the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.
• the aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosol-generating film.
• the aerosol-generating film may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former.
• a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present.
• the aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material.
• the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.
• the aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm.
• the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.
• the aerosol-generating film may be continuous.
• the film may comprise or be a continuous sheet of material.
• the sheet may be in the form of a wrapper, it may be gathered to form a gathered sheet or it may be shredded to form a shredded sheet.
• the shredded sheet may comprise one or more strands or strips of aerosol-generating material.
• the aerosol-generating film may be discontinuous.
• the aerosol-generating film may comprise one or more discrete portions or regions of aerosol-generating material, such as dots, stripes or lines, which may be supported on a support.
• the support may be planar or non-planar.
• the aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as one or more substances to be delivered, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film.
• a binder such as a gelling agent
• a solvent such as water
• an aerosol-former such as one or more other components, such as one or more substances to be delivered
• the slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt% or 90 wt% of the solvent.
• the aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an "amorphous solid".
• the aerosol-generating materiel comprises an aerosol-generating film that is an amorphous solid.
• the amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid".
• the amorphous solid may be substantially non-fibrous.
• the amorphous solid may be a dried gel.
• the amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it.
• the amorphous solid may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.
• the amorphous solid may be substantially free from botanical material.
• the amorphous solid may be substantially tobacco free.
• the aerosol-generating material may comprise or consist of plant/botanical material.
• the term “botanical material” includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like.
• the term “botanical material” refers to solid plant matter (i.e., part of a plant) and does not encompass a "botanical extract”.
• 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
• the mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha arvensis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v., Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cordifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.
• the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.
• the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.
• the botanical material comprises leaf material.
• the botanical material is tobacco material.
• 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.
• the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic 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.
• END electronic nicotine delivery system
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system.
• a heat-not-burn system is a tobacco heating system.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or 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.
• 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.
• 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 non-combustible aerosol provision system such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device, may comprise a power source and a controller.
• the power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source.
• 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 proximity to the exothermic power source.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise 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.
• 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, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
• An article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device wherein the article comprises an aerosol-generating section having a first axial end and a second axial end, wherein the aerosol-generating section comprises aerosol-generating material, wherein the article extends between a first article axial end and a second article axial end, and wherein the article further comprises a first segment between the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section and the first article axial end, and a second segment between the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section and the second article axial end, wherein the first segment is different to the second segment.
• Clause 2 The article of clause 1, wherein the first segment extends between a first segment input end and a first segment output end, wherein the first segment input end is closer to the aerosol-generating section than the first segment output end.
• Clause 3 The article of clause 2, wherein the second segment extends between a second segment input end and a second segment output end, wherein the second segment input end is closer to the aerosol-generating section than the second segment output end.
• Clause 4 The article of clause 3, wherein a first pressure drop across the first segment from the first segment input end to the first segment output end is greater than a second pressure drop across the second segment from the second segment input end to the second segment output end.
• Clause 5 The article of clause 4, wherein the first pressure drop across the first segment is at least ten percent greater than the second pressure drop across the second segment, and optionally wherein the first pressure drop is 1 to 80mmWg.
• Clause 6 The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the first segment comprises a first body of material.
• Clause 7 The article according to clause 6, wherein the first body of material abuts the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
• Clause 8 The article according to clause 6 or 7, wherein the first body of material at least partially covers the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
• Clause 10 The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the second segment comprises a second body of material.
• Clause 11 The article according to clause 10, wherein the second body of material abuts the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
• Clause 12 The article according to clause 10 or 11, wherein the second body of material at least partially covers the second axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
• Clause 13 The article according to clause 12, wherein the second body of material fully covers the first axial end of the aerosol-generating section.
• Clause 14 The article according to any one of clauses 10 to 13, wherein the total density of the first body of material is greater than the total density of the second body of material.
• Clause 15 The article according to any one of clauses 10 to 14, wherein the first body of material has a first density per millimetre of axial length and the second body of material has a second density per millimetre of axial length, wherein the first density per millimetre of axial length is greater than the second density per millimetre of axial length, and optionally wherein the first density per millimetre of axial length is at least ten percent greater than the second density per millimetre of axial length.
• first body of material is formed by sheet material such as paper, bandcast tobacco or cellulose-based material and/or wherein the first segment is formed from a different type of material to the second segment and/or wherein the first body of material is formed from a different type of material to the second body of material and/or wherein the second body of material comprises one or more bore holes.
• Clause 17 The article according to clause 16, wherein the sheet material of the first body of material is crimped.
• Clause 18 The article according to any one of clauses 10 to 17, wherein the second body of material is formed by sheet material such as paper, bandcast tobacco or cellulose-based material.
• Clause 19 The article according to clause 18, wherein the sheet material of the second body of material is crimped.
• Clause 20 The article according to clause 19, wherein the spacing between peaks and troughs of the crimps of the sheet material of the first body of material is less than the spacing between peaks and troughs of the sheet material of the second body of material.
• Clause 21 The article according to any one of clauses 6 to 15, wherein the first body of material comprises cellulose acetate tow.
• Clause 22 The article according to any one of clauses 6 to 17, wherein the second body of the second material comprises cellulose acetate tow.
• Clause 23 The article according to clause 21 or 22, wherein the denier per filament of the first body of material is less than the denier per filament of the second body of material, and optionally wherein the dernier per filament of the first body of material is at least 20 percent less than the dernier per filament of the second body of material, and optionally at least 50 percent less than the dernier per filament of the second body of material.
• Clause 25 The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 24, wherein the second segment comprises a tube comprising an internal channel.
• Clause 26 The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 25, wherein the axial length of the first segment is greater than the axial length of the second segment and/or wherein the axial length of the first body of material is greater than the axial length of the second body of material.
• Clause 28 The article according to clause 27, wherein the outer wrapper further circumscribes the first segment and/or the second segment.
• Clause 29 The article according to clause 27 or 28, wherein the outer wrapper comprises at least one air permeable section for providing a flow path through the wrapper.
• Clause 31 The article according to clause 29 or 30, wherein the air permeable section comprises a window.
• Clause 33 The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 32, wherein the first segment comprises a first aerosol-generating material, and optionally wherein when the first segment comprises the first body of material then the first body of material comprises the first aerosol-generating material.
• Clause 36 The article according to clause 33 or 34, wherein the second segment comprises a second aerosol-generating material but the total amount of the second aerosol-generating material is less than the total amount of the first aerosol-generating material, and optionally wherein when the when the second segment comprises the second body of material then the second body of material comprises less aerosol-generating material than the first body of material.
• Clause 38 The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 37, wherein the first segment has a higher filtration efficacy than the second segment, and optionally wherein the first segment is configured to filter around ten percent or more constitutes than the second segment from the aerosol which is generated by the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating section and/or wherein the first segment is configured to filter one or more specific constituents from the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating section and the second segment is not able to filter the one or more specific constituents.
• Clause 39 The article according to clause 38, wherein the first segment comprises an aerosol modifier for removing components of the aerosol passing through the first segment, and optionally wherein the aerosol modifier comprises activated charcoal, and optionally wherein when the first segment comprises the first body of material then the first body of material comprises the aerosol modifier such as activated charcoal.
• Clause 40 The article according to clause 38 or 39, wherein the second segment does not comprise an aerosol modifier such as activated charcoal, and optionally wherein when the second segment comprises the second body of material then the second body of material does not comprise an aerosol modifier.
• an aerosol modifier such as activated charcoal
• Clause 41 The article according to clause 39 or 40, wherein the second segment comprises an aerosol modifier such as activated charcoal but has a lower total amount of the aerosol modifier than the total amount of the aerosol modifier in the first segment, and optionally wherein when the first segment comprises the first body of material and the second segment comprises the second body of material then the second body of material has a lower total amount of the aerosol modifier than the total amount of the aerosol modifier in the first body of material.
• an aerosol modifier such as activated charcoal
• Clause 42 The article according to any one of clauses 1 to 37, wherein the second segment has a higher filtration efficacy than the first segment.
• Clause 43 A system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and an article as defined in any one of clauses 1 to 42, wherein the device comprises a chamber for receiving the article, the chamber having a first axial end and a second axial end, and a heater for heating the article when it is located in the chamber, wherein the article can be located in the chamber in a first configuration and in a second configuration which is different to the first configuration.
• Clause 44 The system according to clause 43, wherein when the article is located in the chamber in the first configuration, the first article axial end of the article is towards the first axial end of the chamber and the second article axial end of the article is towards the second axial end of the chamber.
• Clause 45 The system according to clause 44, wherein when the article is located in the chamber in the second configuration, the first article axial end of the article is towards the second axial end of the chamber and the second article axial end of the article is towards the first axial end of the chamber.
• Clause 46 The system according to clause 44 or 45, wherein when the article is located in the chamber the first article axial end and the second article axial end are located within the chamber.
• Clause 47 The system according to any one of clauses 43 to 46, wherein the chamber comprises a vent between the first axial end of the chamber and the second axial end of the chamber.
• Clause 48 The system according to clause 47, wherein when the article comprises at least one air permeable section, then the at least one air permeable section aligns with the vent when the article is located in the chamber in the first configuration and/or in the second configuration for allowing air to flow into the article through the vent and the at least one air permeable section.

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• 2024
  • 2024-06-11 EP EP24181459.9A patent/EP4663037A1/de active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-06-10 WO PCT/GB2025/051271 patent/WO2025257540A1/en active Pending

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