AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE FOR AN AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE

Abstract

 An aerosol generating article (12) for an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating article (12) extending along a longitudinal axis (X12) and comprising a substrate portion (15), including a vaporizable material (11), and a cooling portion (16), the substrate portion (15) and the cooling portion (16) being arranged successively along the longitudinal axis (X12). The cooling portion (16) is deformable between a contracted state, in which a cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion (16) substantially corresponds to, or is enclosed into, a cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion (15), and an expanded state, in which the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion (16) extends beyond the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion (15), according to at least one transversal direction (Y, Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X12).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns an aerosol generating article for an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating set comprising said aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device.

[0002] The aerosol generating article according to the invention is configured to operate with an aerosol generating device and has, for example, a solid substrate able to form aerosol when being heated. Thus, such type of aerosol generating devices, also known as heat-not-burn devices, is adapted to heat, rather than burn, the substrate by conduction, convection and/or radiation, to generate aerosol for inhalation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporisers) has grown rapidly in the past few years as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit smoking traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm vaporizable substances as opposed to burning tobacco in conventional tobacco products.

[0004] A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generation device or heat-not-burn device. Devices of this type generate aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporizable material to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 350°C. Heating an aerosol substrate, but not combusting or burning it, releases aerosol that comprises the components sought by the user but not the toxic and carcinogenic byproducts of combustion and burning. Furthermore, the aerosol produced by heating the tobacco or other vaporizable material does not typically comprise the burnt or bitter taste resulting from combustion and burning that can be unpleasant for the user and so the substrate does not therefore require the sugars and other additives that are typically added to such materials to make the smoke and/or vapour more palatable for the user.

[0005] Some known aerosol generating devices operate with a consumable aerosol generating article, including a substrate portion, containing an vaporizable material that forms aerosol to be inhaled by the user when heated, and a cooling portion, through which the aerosol formed may flow to the user's mouth. The cooling portion may contribute to cooling the aerosol before it reaches the user's mouth, for avoiding burning of the user. For operating with the aerosol generating device, the substrate portion is first inserted into a heater belonging to a body of the device. Then, a mobile mouthpiece belonging to the device and having a flow outlet, is assembled with the body of the device, thereby covering the heater and the cooling portion, said cooling portion opening in the flow outlet. The generated aerosol flows to the user's mouth through the flow outlet, as the mouth of the user is in contact with the mouthpiece of the article.

[0006] In this known device, the mouthpiece enables comfortable vaping of the user, since the mouthpiece has an ergonomic shape and size. However, the mouthpiece may need to be cleaned often and assembling the mouthpiece to the body of the device may be considered inconvenient. In the other hand, vaping without the mouthpiece may not be comfortable because the cooling portion is often very small and does not have a shape and size suitable for the user's mouth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One of the aims of the invention is to provide an aerosol generating article which enables comfortable vaping without the need of a separate mouthpiece and which remains of a small size when packaged.

[0008] For this purpose, the invention relates to an aerosol generating article for an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating article extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a substrate portion, including an vaporizable material, and a cooling portion, the substrate portion and the cooling portion being arranged successively along the longitudinal axis, wherein the cooling portion is deformable between:

• a contracted state, in which a cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion substantially corresponds to, or is enclosed into a cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion, and
• an expanded state, in which the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion extends beyond the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion, according to at least one transversal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0009] Thanks to these features, in the contracted state, the aerosol generating article may remain sufficiently small and of convenient shape for storage and packaging, whereas in the expanded state, the cooling portion gets sufficiently big and acquires an appropriate shape for being used as a mouthpiece in a convenient and comfortable manner. Thus, preferably, no separate mouthpiece is required. Preferably, when the cooling portion is in the expanded state, the shape of the substrate portion remains the same or substantially the same than when the cooling portion is in the contracted state.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the cooling portion is configured to:

• elastically expand from the contracted state to the expanded state, when in the contracted state, so as to be in the expanded state when coupled to the aerosol generating device; and
• be maintained in the contracted state when packaged.

[0011] Thanks to these features, the cooling portion automatically expands when unpacked, thanks to the elasticity of the cooling portion itself. Thus, it is ensured that, when unpacked, the aerosol generating article is deployed to the expanded state for properly being used. On the other hand, packaging enables keeping the cooling portion in the contracted state, where the cooling portion is more compact.

[0012] In other embodiments, the cooling portion is configured to remain in the contracted state, and, when the user exerts a squeeze on the cooling portion, to expand to the expanded state. For example, the squeeze is to be exerted onto opposite side edges or side faces of the cooling portion, when the portion is in the contracted state.

[0013] According to some embodiments, in the expanded state, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion extends beyond the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion according to at least two perpendicular transversal directions.

[0014] According to some embodiments, in the expanded state, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion extends radially beyond the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion, in respect with the longitudinal axis.

[0015] Thanks to these features, as the substrate portion may be flat-shaped, the cooling portion in the expanded state may be not only thicker but also larger, for conveniently and comfortably be used as a mouthpiece.

[0016] According to some embodiments, in the expanded state, the cooling portion forms rounded side edges.

[0017] According to some embodiments, in the expanded state, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion is oval.

[0018] Thanks to these features, the cooling portion is especially comfortable for being used as a mouthpiece when in the expanded state.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the substrate portion is flat-shaped and forms a pair of narrow side faces and a pair of wide side faces parallel to the longitudinal axis, each narrow side face connecting the wide side faces.

[0020] Thanks to these features, the aerosol generating device to be coupled with the substrate portion may easily be designed for insertion of the substrate portion therein.

[0021] According to some embodiments, in the contracted state, the cooling portion is flat and forms a pair of narrow side faces, extending the narrow side faces of the substrate portion along the longitudinal axis, and a pair of wide side faces extending the wide side faces of the substrate portion along the longitudinal axis; at least one side face of the cooling portion forming an edge pointing inwards in the contracted state.

[0022] Thanks to these features, the aerosol generating article, including the cooling portion and the substrate portion, can be contained in a compact package, such as a parallelepiped-shaped package.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the cooling portion is attached to the substrate portion by at least two, advantageously three and preferably four pivot points; each pivot point remaining fixed relative to the substrate portion during the expansion of the cooling portion.

[0024] Thanks to these features, the cooling portion is firmly connected to the substrate portion and the deformation to the expanded state is precise.

[0025] According to some embodiments, each pivot point is arranged at a respective edge of the cooling portion, each edge being formed between a narrow side face and a wide side face of the cooling potion.

[0026] Thanks to these features, firm connection of the cooling portion to the substrate portion and precision of the deformation to the expanded state are further improved.

[0027] According to some embodiments, each pivot point is reinforced by a fiber or thread extending from the substrate portion to the cooling portion.

[0028] Thanks to these features, the connections between the cooling portion and the substrate portion are strong while enabling the deformation of the cooling portion.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the cooling portion is attached to the substrate portion by a central rod extending through both cooling portion and substrate portion.

[0030] Thanks to these features, the cooling portion is firmly connected to the substrate portion and the deformation to the expanded state is precise.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the cooling portion comprises corrugated paper configured to expand when released, so that the cooling portion expands to the expanded state.

[0032] Thanks to these features, the corrugated paper ensures not only the elastic deformation of the cooling portion to the expanded state, but also guiding and cooling of the aerosol to the user's mouth. The corrugations of the corrugated paper may be oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis for forming aerosol guiding channels parallel to the longitudinal axis, when the cooling portion is in the expanded state. In some embodiments, the cooling portion comprises an acetate filter instead of corrugated paper or a combination of acetate filter and corrugated paper.

[0033] The invention also concerns an aerosol generating set comprising the aerosol generating article as defined above, and an aerosol generating device configured to operate with the aerosol generating article.

[0034] According to some embodiments, in the expanded state, the cooling portion of the aerosol generating article forms a mouthpiece designed to be in contact with the user's mouth, when the aerosol generating device operates with the aerosol generating article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting example and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating set according to a first embodiment of the invention, including an aerosol generating device operating with an aerosol generating article, a cooling portion thereof being in an expanded state;
• Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the aerosol generating set of figure 1, showing the aerosol generating article and a part of the aerosol generating device in greater detail;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating article of figures 1 and 2, shown on the left with the cooling portion in the contracted state, and on the right with the cooling portion in the expanded state;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating article according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

[0037] As used herein, the term "aerosol generating device" or "device" may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of a heater element explained in further detail below. The device may be portable. "Portable" may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating the heater element for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapour to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.

[0038] As used herein, the term "aerosol" may include a suspension of vaporizable material as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. Aerosol may include one or more components of the vaporizable material.

[0039] As used herein, the term "vaporizable material" or "precursor" may refer to a smokable material which may for example comprise nicotine or tobacco and an aerosol former. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and/or reconstituted tobacco. Suitable aerosol formers include: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating agent may be glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerol and propylene glycol. The substrate may also comprise at least one of a gelling agent, a binding agent, a stabilizing agent, and a humectant.

FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Figure 1 shows an aerosol generating set 1 according to the first embodiment, including an aerosol generating device 10 and an aerosol generating article 12, shown individually in figure 3. The aerosol generating device 10 is intended to operate with the aerosol generating article 12.

[0041] In reference to figures 2 and 3, the aerosol generating article 12 comprises a substrate portion 15 and a cooling portion 16 arranged along a longitudinal axis X12 of the article 12, said axis X12 being fixed relative to the substrate portion 15. While the substrate portion 15 remains the same shape, the cooling portion 16 is deformable between a contracted state, visible on the left of figure 3, and an expanded state, visible in figures 1 and 2, and on the right of figure 3.

[0042] The cooling portion 16 is configured to elastically expand from the contracted state to the expanded state, when in the contracted state, so as to automatically be in the expanded state and thus, ready for use. In particular, the cooling portion 16 is in the expanded state when the article 12 is coupled to the aerosol generating device 10. Before use, such as, when the article 12 is packaged, the cooling portion 16 is preferably maintained in the contracted state by an external element, such as a packaging wrapping the article 12.

[0043] A longitudinal direction X is defined parallel to the axis X12, directed from the substrate portion 15 to the cooling portion 16. Two transversal directions are defined transversally, preferably perpendicular, to the longitudinal direction X and to each other, including a lateral direction Y and a height direction Z. The directions X, Y and Z are fixed relative to the substrate portion 15.

[0044] The substrate portion 15 defines an abutting end 18 of the article 12 and the cooling portion 16 defines a mouth end 20 of the article 12, the ends 18 and 20 being opposite along the longitudinal axis X12 and preferably perpendicular thereto.

[0045] The substrate portion 15 is intended to be heated by a heater, such as by a heating chamber as defined below, and comprises a vaporizable material 11, contained therein, as defined above, for generating aerosol when heated by the heater. The generated aerosol is to be inhaled by the user during a vaping session with the aerosol generating set 1. In use, the cooling portion 16 in the expanded state guides the aerosol formed at the substrate portion 15 to the user's mouth at the mouth end 20. Preferably, the substrate portion 15 forms longitudinal guiding channels, directed parallel to the axis X12, connecting the abutting end 18 to the cooling portion 16, for guiding the airflow and aerosol flow.

[0046] The substrate portion 15 and the cooling portion 16 may be fixed one to the other by a single-piece tubular wrapper 14, extending around the longitudinal axis X12. In other embodiments, the wrapper 14 may be formed by several wrapping elements assembled with each other by any suitable mean. The wrapper 14 may, for example, comprise paper and/or non-woven fabric and/or aluminium. The wrapper 14 may be porous or air impermeable. In some embodiments, the wrapper 14 may be porous at the cooling portion 16 and air impermeable at the substrate portion 15. Preferably, as best visible in figures 2 and 3, the wrapper 14 does not cover the mouth end 20 of the article 12, for enabling aerosol to be delivered to the user therethrough. Preferably, the wrapper 14 does not cover the abutting end 18 of the article 12, for enabling admission of an airflow into the article 12, in the direction X, under suction of the user at the mouth end 20, the sucked in airflow being intended to carry the aerosol formed in the substrate portion 15 to the end 20, via the cooling portion 16. In some embodiments, venting holes or air-inlet holes may be provided through the wrapper 14, at the cooling portion 16, at the substrate portion 15, or at both portions 15 and 16.

[0047] The substrate portion 15 preferably has four side faces 21, 22, 23 and 24, extending parallel to the axis X12. The side faces 21, 22, 23 and 24 extend along direction X starting from the abutting end 18, and connect the end 18 to the cooling portion 16. The side faces 21, 22, 23 and 24 are preferably planar-shaped. The side faces 21, 22, 23 and 24 are preferably formed by the wrapper 14. The side faces 21 and 23 are opposite, parallel to each other, perpendicular to the direction Y and connect the side faces 22 and 24. The side faces 22 and 24 are opposite, parallel to each other, perpendicular to the direction Z and connect the side faces 21 and 23. The side faces 22 and 24 are narrow compared to the side faces 23 and 24 which are wider. Overall, the substrate portion 15 is flat-shaped, in particular is flatter along direction Z than along direction Y. The substrate portion 15 has a cross-section 30, taken perpendicular to the axis X12, which is delineated by the side faces 21, 22, 23 and 24. The cross-section 30 is preferably of constant shape all along the substrate portion 15 along the axis X12. Here the cross-section 30 is rectangular.

[0048] The substrate portion 15 preferably forms edges 33, here four edges 33, parallel to the axis X12, each edge 33 connecting two adjacent side faces among the side faces 21, 22, 23 and 24. The edges 33 are formed by the wrapper 14. The edges 33 point outwardly. Each edge 33 extends in the direction X, starting from the end 18 and connects the end 18 to the cooling portion 16. Preferably, each edge 33 is formed by a respective crease of the wrapper 14.

[0049] The vaporizable material 11 is contained inside the substrate portion 15, preferably from the end 18 to the cooling portion 15, and is surrounded by the wrapper 14 forming the faces 21, 22, 23 and 24.

[0050] The cooling portion 16 preferably has four side faces 25, 26, 27 and 28, extending parallel to the axis X12. The side faces 25, 26, 27 and 28 extend along direction X starting from the substrate portion 15, in particular starting from the corresponding faces 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the substrate portion 15, and connect the said substrate portion 15 to the mouth end 20. The side faces 25, 26, 27 and 28 are preferably formed by the wrapper 14.

[0051] In the contracted state, the side faces 25 and 27 are opposite, parallel to each other, perpendicular to the direction Y and connect the side faces 26 and 28. The side faces 26 and 28 are opposite, parallel to each other, perpendicular to the direction Z and connect the side faces 25 and 27. The side faces 25 and 27 are narrow compared to the side faces 26 and 28 which are wider. Overall, in the contracted state, the cooling portion 16 is flat-shaped, in particular is flatter along direction Z than along direction Y, and extends the substrate portion in direction X.

[0052] The cooling portion 16 preferably forms edges 34, here four edges 34, parallel to the axis X12, each edge 34 connecting two adjacent side faces among the side faces 25, 26, 27 and 28. Each edge 34 extends in the direction X, starting from the cooling portion 15 and connects the cooling portion 15 to the end 20. The edges 34 point outwardly. The edges 34 are formed by the wrapper 14. Preferably, each edge 34 is formed by a respective crease of the wrapper 14. Preferably, each edge 34 extends one respective edge 33 in the longitudinal direction X. The edges 34, in particular if formed by a crease, may contribute to the elastic expansion of the cooling portion 16 to the expanded shape.

[0053] In the first embodiment, a respective pivot point 35 is formed at each connection between one of the edges 33 with the corresponding edge 34. Thus, a total of four pivot points 35 is formed in the present example. The pivot points 35 are preferably formed by the wrapper 14. The cooling portion 16 is firmly connected i.e. attached to the substrate portion 15 at the pivot points 35, by the pivot points 35. The pivot points 35 are substantially fixed relative to the substrate portion 15 when the cooling portion 16 deforms. To the contrary, parts of the wrapper 14 between the pivot points 35 may deform and/or be displaced during deformation of the cooling portion 16. In other embodiments, less than four pivot points 35 may be provided, such as three, two, or a single pivot point.

[0054] Optionally, as shown in figure 3, some or each pivot point 35 may be reinforced by a respective thread or fiber 36. The thread or fiber 36 extends along the wrapper 14 or is integrated to the wrapper 14, along the edges 33 and 34, parallel to the axis X12.

[0055] When less than three pivot points are provided, it is preferred that additional connection means are provided between the cooling portion 16 and the substrate portion, such as a central rod as defined below for the second embodiment.

[0056] In the contracted state, each side face 25, 26, 27 and 28 preferably forms an edge 29 pointing inwards, said edge 29 being parallel to the longitudinal axis X12. In other words, the side faces with the edge 29 are convex shaped. The edge 29 may be formed by a longitudinal crease of the wrapper 14. The edge 29 may contribute to the elastic expansion of the cooling portion 16 from the contracted state to the expanded state. Alternatively, only one of the side faces 25, 26, 27 and 28 has an edge 29 pointing inwards, while the others may be planar-shaped. Alternatively, more than one of the side faces 25, 26, 27 and 28 have an edge 29 pointing inwards, while the other(s) is(are) planar-shaped. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the narrow faces 25 and 27 have the edge 29 while the wide faces 26 and 28 are planar-shaped.

[0057] The cooling portion 16 has a cross-section 31, taken perpendicular to the axis X12, which is delineated by the side faces 25, 26, 27 and 28. The cross-section 31 is preferably of constant shape all along the cooling portion 16 along the axis X12, regardless the cooling portion 16 is in the contracted or extended shape.

[0058] In the contracted state, the cross-section 31 may for example be rectangular, if the faces 25, 26, 27 and 28 are planar, or, for example, may be X-shaped as in the illustrated example where the faces 25, 26, 27 and 28 have an edge 29 pointing inwards.

[0059] In the contracted state, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion 16 corresponds to, or is enclosed into, i.e. is smaller than, the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion 15. In the illustrated example, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion 16 is enclosed in the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion 15. In other words, the cross-section 31 has a shape that is inscribed in the cross-section 30, i.e. that does not extends outwardly beyond the cross-section 30. This is the case when at least one of the side faces 25, 26, 27 and 28 has an inwardly pointing side edge 29.

[0060] In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion 16 may correspond, or substantially correspond, to the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion 15. In this case, the cross-section 31 would correspond to the cross-section 30, i.e. be identical to the cross-section 30, such as, rectangular.

[0061] The article 12 is very easy to package, since it has a consistent shape all along its length along axis X12, when the cooling portion 16 is in the contracted shape.

[0062] As shown in figures 1, 2 and on the right in figure 3, in the expanded shape, the edges 34, and the edges 29 if any, become outwardly rounded. Thus, the edges 34 do not point outward anymore and the edges 29, if any do not point inward. The faces 25, 26, 27 and 28, which were planar or even concave, are now rounded outwardly, i.e. convex-shaped. In particular, the faces 25, 26, 27 and 28 are curved around the axis X12. The centre of each face 25, 26, 27 and 28 is positioned outwardly relative to corresponding faces 21, 22, 23 and 24. As shown in figure 3, in the expanded state, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion 16 is preferably oval, i.e. the cross-section 30 is oval-shaped, flatter in the direction Z and wider in the direction Y. Preferably, in the expanded state, the edges 34 did not substantially move compared to their position in the contracted state, and still extend the edges 33 in the longitudinal direction X. The edges 34, however, moved radially outwardly relative to the axis X12.

[0063] Overall, in the expanded shape, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion 16 extends beyond the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion 15, here according to the transversal directions Y and Z and according to directions opposite to the directions Y and Z. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion 15 extends radially beyond the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion 15, relative to the axis X12. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion 15 is now enclosed into the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion 16. This means that the cross-section 30 is embedded or inscribed in the cross-section 31.

[0064] According to other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion could extend beyond the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion for only one of the transversal directions X and Y, or an oblique transversal directions, or several transversal directions, while however not extending beyond the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion for one or more other transversal directions.

[0065] When in the expanded state, the cooling portion 16 preferably forms itself a mouthpiece intended to be in contact with the user's mouth and/or lips. Preferably no additional mouthpiece is required, and, in use, the cooling portion 16 remains uncovered whereas the substrate portion 15 is inserted in to the device 10. Preferably, in use, the user's lips contact the faces 25, 26, 27 and 28 and the mouth end 20 opens inside the user's mouth for delivering the aerosol.

[0066] The cooling portion 16 comprises a core 17, which is located inside the cooling portion 16. The core 17 extends from the mouth end 20 to the substrate portion 15, and which is surrounded by the wrapper 14 forming the faces 25, 26, 27 and 28. Preferably, in the contracted state, the core 17 is itself elastically compressed, so as to tend to expand radially relative to the axis X12, for contributing to expand the cooling portion 16 to the expanded shape when the cooling portion 16 is not maintained. In the expanded state, the core 17 is porous to the flow of aerosol generated at the substrate portion 15, so as to guide the flow of aerosol to the user's mouth at the mouth end 20. Preferably, in the expanded state, the core 17 forms longitudinal guiding channels directed parallel to the axis X12, connecting the substrate portion 15 to the mouth end 20, for guiding the aerosol flow.

[0067] Preferably, the core 17 is made of a corrugated paper, which corrugations are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis X12. Thus, the core 17 tends to elastically expand along the transversal directions Y and Z, similarly to a concertina, without tending to expand along the longitudinal direction X. In the expanded state, the corrugations are open and form the guiding channels for the aerosol flow. In other embodiments, the core 17 may be formed by a foam, or packed strands or fibres.

[0068] In use, the aerosol may cool down while flowing through the cooling portion 16 and before reaching the user's mouth, considering the length L1 to be travelled by the aerosol flow from the source of heat located at the substrate portion 15. Depending on the chosen material, the core 17 may also act as a filter.

[0069] The substrate portion 15 may for example be slightly longer than the cooling portion 16, parallel to the longitudinal axis X12. For example, the length L2 of the substrate portion 15 according to the longitudinal axis X12 may be substantially equal to 18 mm (millimetres) and the length L1 of the cooling portion 16 according to the longitudinal axis X12 may be substantially equal to 15 mm. The lengths L1 and L2 preferably do not change between the contracted state and the expanded state. In a typical example, the length of the article 12 according to the longitudinal axis X12 equals substantially to 33 mm. In a typical example, in the contracted state of the cooling portion 16, the width of the article 12, measured parallel to the direction Y, is substantially equal to 12 mm and the depth of the article 12, measured parallel to the direction Z, is substantially equal to 1,2 mm. According to different examples, the values of the length, width and depth of the article can be selected within a range of +/-40%, for example. The depth of the article 12 is measured from the face 22 or 26 to the face 24 or 28. The width of the article 12 is measured from the face 21 or 25 to the face 23 or 27.

[0070] According to other embodiments of the invention, the aerosol generating article 12 can have any other suitable shape and/or external dimensions. For example, the aerosol generating article 12 may form a circular- or oval- based cylindrical shape, centred on the axis X12. In this case, for example, the cylindrical shape of the substrate portion 15 remains substantially unchanged between the contracted and expanded shape, whereas the cylindrical shape of the cooling portion 16 corresponds substantially to the shape of the substrate portion in the contracted state, and grows radially larger in the expanded state.

[0071] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the aerosol generating device 10 preferably has an elongated shape along an axis X10. The device 10 may embed a battery for powering the device 10, a control module for controlling the operation of the device 10, a heating chamber 45 for heating the aerosol generating article 12 and at least one heating element 47 for heating the heating chamber 45. In some embodiments, the device 10 can have one or several control and/or visual elements. For example, such element may comprise control buttons, touch panels, screens, LEDs, etc. For example, a LED may indicate an ON/OFF state of the device 10. It can also indicate for example a low battery state, an error state, etc. Among these elements, only the heating chamber 45 and the heating element 47 will be explained in further detail in reference to figure 2.

[0072] The device 10 has an insertion opening 51 at one longitudinal end thereof, connecting the heating chamber 45 to the outside of the device 10. The article 12 may be received in the heating chamber 45 through the opening 51. When the article 12 is received, the axes X10 and X12 are preferably coaxial. When the article 12 is received, the substrate portion 15 is received, preferably entirely, in the heating chamber 45, while the cooling portion 16 preferably remains outside from the heating chamber 45 and from the device 10, preferably entirely, through the opening 51. Thus, the cooling portion 16 may be used as mouthpiece. Preferably, the abutting end 18 abuts the heating chamber 45 along axis X12.

[0073] Preferably, the inside shape of the heating chamber 45 is complementary to the outside shape of the substrate portion 15. When received in the heating chamber 45, the article 12 may remained fixed by adjustment of the portion 15 into the chamber 45, or by other suitable means, such as locking means, for securing the article 12 to the device 10.

[0074] The device 10 may comprise one or more air inlets, such as an air inlet 50, visible in figure 1, for admitting the incoming airflow sucked in by the user during use. Preferably, each air inlet is in fluidic connection with the heating chamber 49, for example at an end of the heating chamber 47 opposite to the opening 51. Thus, the airflow may be sucked into the abutting end 18 via the air inlets. Alternatively or additionally, the incoming airflow may be admitted into the abutting end 18 through the opening 51 itself, for example if the opening 51 is wider than the article 12.

[0075] As shown in Figure 2, the heating element 47 is arranged along the heating chamber 45. When the article is received, the heating element 47 for example extends along the wide side faces 22 and/or 24 of the substrate portion 15.

[0076] The heating element 47 may comprise a polyimide film heater extending along substantially the total area of an outer surface of the chamber 45 or only along a part of the outer surface, preferably covering the entire faces 22 and/or 24 of the article 12. The heating element 47 is powered by the battery and controlled by the control module of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0077] The operation of the aerosol generating device set 1 will now be described.

[0078] Initially, the aerosol generating article 12 is provided in a package, maintaining the cooling portion 16 in the contracted state. At this stage, the article 12 is separate from the device 10. When the package is removed, the cooling portion 16 elastically deforms to the expanded state, and remains this way, forming the mouthpiece of the set 1. Then, the user introduces the article 12 into the opening 51, so that the substrate portion 15 is received in the heating chamber 45.

[0079] Then, the user may contact the cooling portion 16 with is mouth and activate the operation of the aerosol generating device 10 by actuating for example an ON button of the device, 10 or by performing a puff, if the device 10 includes an appropriate pressure detector. When actuated, the device 10 powers the heating element 47 so that some of the vaporizable material of the substrate portion 15 is vaporized into aerosol within the guiding channels of the substrate portion 15. The depression caused at the end 20 by the mouth of the user sucks an airflow into the device 10, for example through the inlet 50, said airflow being admitted into the article 12 at the abutting end 18. Through the guiding channels of the article 12, the airflow carries the aerosol to the mouth of the user, said airflow and aerosol exiting the article at the mouth end 20, into the mouth of the user.

[0080] Alternatively, the cooling portion 16 is configured to remain in the contracted state without the need to be maintained in the contracted state by external means such as by the packaging. In this case, it may be provided that the cooling portion 16 pops to (i.e. expands to) the expanded state, under the squeezing exerted by the user on the cooling portion 16. For example, the squeeze is to be exerted onto opposite side faces 25 and 27.

SECOND EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION

[0081] Figure 4 shows an aerosol generating article 112 according to the second embodiment of the invention. The article 112 is identical to the article 12 and is operated in the same manner, except for the differences mentioned below. Identical features are designated with the same reference number for the article 12 and 112.

[0082] The article 112 differs from the article 12 in that, in the article 112, the cooling portion 16 is attached to the substrate portion 15 by a central rod 137, extending through both portions 15 and 16, parallel to the axis X12. The central rod 137 is positioned centrally relative to the side faces 21, 22, 23 and 24. Preferably the rod 137 is coaxial with the axis X12. The central rod 137 is preferably rigid and is used as a reinforcing beam holding the cooling portion 16. Preferably, the central rod 137 is planted in the core 17 and in the material 11. In this embodiment, the pivot points 35 and the fibers or threads 36 are optional. Preferably, the portions 15 and 16 are only connected by the rod 137.

[0083] Any feature described for one of the embodiments may be implemented in the other embodiments described above, as long as technically feasible.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating article (12; 112) for an aerosol generating device (10), the aerosol generating article (12; 112) extending along a longitudinal axis (X12) and comprising a substrate portion (15), including a vaporizable material (11), and a cooling portion (16), the substrate portion (15) and the cooling portion (16) being arranged successively along the longitudinal axis (X12),
wherein the cooling portion (16) is deformable between:

- a contracted state, in which a cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion (16) substantially corresponds to, or is enclosed into, a cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion (15), and

- an expanded state, in which the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion (16) extends beyond the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion (15), according to at least one transversal direction (Y, Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X12).

2. The aerosol generating article (12; 112) according to claim 1, wherein the cooling portion (16) is configured to:

- elastically expand from the contracted state to the expanded state, when in the contracted state, so as to be in the expanded state when coupled to the aerosol generating device (10); and

- be maintained in the contracted state when packaged.

3. The aerosol generating article (12; 112) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the expanded state, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion (16) extends beyond the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion (15) according to at least two perpendicular transversal directions (Y, Z).

4. The aerosol generating article (12; 112) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the expanded state, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion (16) extends radially beyond the cross-sectional shape of the substrate portion (15), in respect with the longitudinal axis (X12).

5. The aerosol generating article (12; 112) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the expanded state, the cooling portion (16) forms rounded side edges (34).

6. The aerosol generating article (12; 112) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the expanded state, the cross-sectional shape of the cooling portion (16) is oval.

7. The aerosol generating article (12; 112) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate portion (15) is flat-shaped and forms a pair of narrow side faces (21, 23) and a pair of wide side faces (22, 24) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X12), each narrow side face (21, 23) connecting the wide side faces (22, 24).

8. The aerosol generating article (12; 112) according to claim 7, wherein, in the contracted state, the cooling portion (16) is flat and forms a pair of narrow side faces (25, 27), extending the narrow side faces (21, 23) of the substrate portion (15) along the longitudinal axis (X12), and a pair of wide side faces (26, 28) extending the wide side faces (22, 24) of the substrate portion (15) along the longitudinal axis (X12);
at least one side face (25, 26, 27, 28) of the cooling portion (16) forming an edge (29) pointing inwards in the contracted state.

9. The aerosol generating article (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling portion (16) is attached to the substrate portion (15) by at least two, advantageously three and preferably four pivot points (35);
each pivot point (35) remaining fixed relative to the substrate portion (15) during the expansion of the cooling portion (16).

10. The aerosol generating article (12; 112) according to claims 8 and 9, wherein each pivot point (35) is arranged at a respective edge (34) of the cooling portion (16), each edge (34) being formed between a narrow side (25, 27) face and a wide side face (26, 28) of the cooling potion (16).

11. The aerosol generating article (12) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein each pivot point (35) is reinforced by a fiber or thread (36) extending from the substrate portion (15) to the cooling portion (16).

12. The aerosol generating article (112) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling portion (16) is attached to the substrate portion (15) by a central rod (137) extending through both cooling portion (16) and substrate portion (15).

13. The aerosol generating article (12; 112) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling portion (16) comprises corrugated paper configured to expand when released, so that the cooling portion (16) expands to the expanded state.

14. An aerosol generating set (1) comprising:

- the aerosol generating article (12; 112) according to any one of the preceding claims; and

- an aerosol generating device (10) configured to operate with the aerosol generating article (12; 112).

15. The aerosol generating set according to claim 14, wherein in the expanded state, the cooling portion (16) of the aerosol generating article (12; 112) forms a mouthpiece designed to be in contact with the user's mouth, when the aerosol generating device (10) operates with the aerosol generating article (12; 112).

Drawing