The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosolgenerating substrate and adapted to produce an inhalable aerosol upon heating. In particular, the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising an aversive agent.

Aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, is heated rather than combusted, are known in the art. Typically, in such heated smoking articles an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-generating substrate or material, which may be located in contact with, within, around, or downstream of the heat source. During use of the aerosol-generating article, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and are entrained in air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol.

A number of prior art documents disclose aerosol-generating devices for consuming aerosol-generating articles. Such devices include, for example, electrically heated aerosolgenerating devices in which an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from one or more electrical heater elements of the aerosol-generating device to the aerosol-generating substrate of a heated aerosol-generating article. For example, electrically heated aerosolgenerating devices have been proposed that comprise an internal heater blade which is adapted to be inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate. As an alternative, inductively heatable aerosol-generating articles comprising an aerosol-generating substrate and a susceptor arranged within the aerosol-generating substrate have been proposed by WO 2015/176898.

A need is generally felt to deter and prevent dangerous behaviours, such as for example accidental ingestion of objects, including aerosol-generating articles and their components, particularly by children. Risks associated with one such behaviour may be increased for an aerosol-generating article comprising hard parts, as may be the case of a susceptor element embedded within the aerosol-generating substrate.

Use of compounds having an unpleasant, for example bitter, taste as aversive agents is known. By way of example, denatonium benzoate has been proposed as a deterrent to the accidental ingestion of toxic substances, such as liquid detergents, by children. For use in that context, denatonium benzoate has been chosen among other candidate compounds based on its existing uses in alcohol as a denaturant and in thumb-sucking and nail-biting deterrent products. It has also been proposed to exploit the unpleasant, bitter flavour associated with certain aversive agents to encourage consumers to quit smoking. For example, WO 2019/056029 A1 discloses a smoking cessation attachment which may be fitted onto a circumferential surface of a cigarette and brought into contact with a consumer's lips during use of the cigarette. The attachment contains a bitter substance, which may be absorbed through the consumer’s lips or oral mucosa or both. This causes a change in taste during the normal use of the cigarette.

The smoke cessation attachment disclosed by WO 2019/056029 A1 aims at making the intended use of a cigarette highly unpleasant for the consumer. In contrast to that, in the context of the present disclosure a need is felt to deter and prevent incorrect uses of an aerosol-generating article (such as, for example, ingesting or chewing on the aerosolgenerating article), whilst at the same time aiming to ensure that the normal, intended use of the aerosol-generating article is substantially unaffected.

In practice, the technical solution disclosed by WO 2019/056029 A1 effectively relies on direct contact between the attachment and the consumer’s lips to intentionally deliver to the consumer the bitter substance during normal use of the cigarette and trigger an unpleasant sensorial response. In diametrically opposite fashion, in the present context it is desirable that contact between the aerosol-generating article and the consumer’s lips and oral mucosa during normal use of the aerosol-generating article is not associated with any kind of strong, unpleasant taste response, which certain compounds used as aversive agents may elicit even at high dilutions.

An additional challenge is represented by the fact that the consumer’s fingers may become contaminated by an aversive agent when handling the aerosol-generating article, which is also undesirable, as it may subsequently cause an unpleasant sensorial experience. Therefore, in the present context a need is felt to ensure that contact between the consumer’s fingers and the aerosol-generating article during the normal handling and use of the aerosolgenerating article does not result in transfer of the aversive agent onto the consumer’s fingers.

Further, it must be borne in mind that an aversive agent may have a less than desirable impact on the quality of the aerosol delivered to the consumer, particularly if even trace amounts of the aversive agent may be volatilised into the aerosol upon heating the aerosolgenerating substrate and be thus delivered to the consumer.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a new and improved aerosol-generating article adapted to deter ingestion of the aerosol-generating article or of components of the aerosol-generating article while at the same time generally limiting or preventing at least one of the undesirable effects referred to above. The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article, particularly for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a downstream section extending from a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to a downstream end of the aerosolgenerating article.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise an airflow pathway through which an aerosol may flow from the aerosol-generating substrate to the downstream section of the aerosol-generating article, if one such downstream section is present.

For example, where present, the downstream section may define one such airflow pathway.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise at least one wrapper circumscribing at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section. Thus, the at least one wrapper may at least partly circumscribe the aerosol-generating substrate or the downstream section or both.

The aerosol-generating article may further comprise an aversive agent. For example, the aversive agent may be provided in an aversive component, such as an aversive component comprising a thread substrate or a strip substrate and an aversive agent absorbed in the thread substrate or strip substrate.

The aversive component may be provided at a location within the aerosol-generating article such that direct contact between the aversive agent and the consumer’s lips or oral mucosa during the normal, intended use of the aerosol-generating article may be substantially prevented.

The aversive component may be provided at a location within the aerosol-generating article such that direct contact between the aversive agent and the consumer’s fingers during the normal, intended use of the aerosol-generating article may be substantially prevented. The aversive component may be provided at a location within the aerosol-generating article such that the aversive agent is not directly exposed to the airflow pathway such that the aversive agent may be substantially prevented from directly entering the airflow pathway.

In particular, the aerosol-generating article may be configured such that the aversive component is not directly exposed to the airflow pathway such that the aversive agent is substantially prevented from entering the airflow pathway, if a downstream section defining one such airflow pathway is present. For example, one or more of the at least one wrapper and the downstream section may be configured such that the aversive component is not directly exposed to the airflow pathway such that the aversive agent is substantially prevented from entering the airflow pathway.

According to the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating article, particularly for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article further comprises a downstream section extending from a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the downstream section defines an airflow pathway through which an aerosol may flow from the aerosol-generating substrate to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. Additionally, the aerosolgenerating article comprises at least one wrapper circumscribing at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section.

In contrast to existing aerosol-generating articles, in aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the present invention an aversive component is provided in the aerosolgenerating article, the aversive component comprising a thread substrate or a strip substrate and an aversive agent absorbed in the thread substrate or strip substrate. Further, the aerosol-generating article is provided at a location within the aerosol-generating article such that the aversive component is not directly exposed to the airflow pathway, such that the aversive agent is substantially prevented from directly entering the airflow pathway.

As will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the present invention, preventing direct contact between the aversive component and the consumer’s lips and oral mucosa during the normal, intended use of the aerosol-generating article can be achieved in different manners. Regardless of how separation of the aversive component from the consumer’s lips and oral mucosa is achieved, with aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the present invention it is advantageously possible to substantially prevent an unpleasant sensorial experience for the consumer during the normal, intended use of the aerosol-generating article. Equally, transfer of the aversive agent onto the consumer's fingers during normal handling of the aerosol-generating article is also desirably avoided.

Since the aversive agent is not on an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article, migration of aversive agent to other aerosol-generating articles - such as other aerosolgenerating articles provided within a same package during transportation or storage - may also advantageously be avoided. Additionally, as will be discussed in more detail below, certain preferred embodiments may make it possible to exclude direct exposure of the aversive agent to the flow of aerosol being generated, and in certain embodiments it may be possible to prevent even trace amounts of the aversive agent from being released into the aerosol. This is because the aversive agent is not directly exposed to the mainstream airflow pathway, and because the aversive agent is not provided at a location within the aerosolgenerating article to which heat should be supplied during normal use.

In the context of the present invention, the expression “not directly exposed to the airflow pathway” means that that there is at least a layer of another material separating the aversive agent at its intended location from the airflow pathway. For example, the aversive agent may be embedded in a component of the aerosol-generating article far from any surface of the component that may be directly contacted by the aerosol during use. Alternatively, an aversive component comprising the aversive agent may be sandwiched between elements of the aerosol-generating article such that no portion of an outer surface of the aversive component may be directly contacted by the aerosol during use.

As will be described in more detail below, in some embodiments a configuration of the at least one wrapper circumscribing at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section may be adapted to substantially separate the aversive component from the airflow pathway. In other embodiments, prevention of direct exposure of the aversive component to the airflow pathway may be achieved by way of a certain configuration of the downstream section. Thus, in aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the present invention it is also rather unlikely that the aversive agent may inadvertently come into contact with the consumer’s lips or oral mucosa during normal use of the aerosolgenerating article.

Providing the aversive component at a location within the aerosol-generating article such that the aversive component is not directly exposed to the airflow pathway, in accordance with the present invention, has the desirable effect that direct release of the aversive agent into the aerosol at said location is substantially prevented. However, migration of the aversive agent from the intended location of the aversive component to other portions or components of the aerosol-generating article may not be entirely preventable, and so trace amounts of the aversive agent may be detected at other locations within the aerosol-generating article. Nevertheless, the inventors have found that, with aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the present invention, the aversive agent is not detected in the aerosol delivered to the consumer at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is hypothesised that, if trace amounts of the aversive agent migrate from the intended location, for example as far as into the aerosol-generating substrate, the heat supplied to the article during use raises its temperature above the decomposition temperature of the aversive agent. As a result, only trace amounts of thermal decomposition products may actually be delivered to the consumer. As described briefly above, the present invention provides an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating.

The term “aerosol-generating article” is used herein to denote an article wherein an aerosol-generating substrate is heated to produce and deliver an inhalable aerosol to a consumer. As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating substrate” denotes a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating to generate an aerosol.

A conventional cigarette is lit when a user applies a flame to one end of the cigarette and draws air through the other end. The localised heat provided by the flame and the oxygen in the air drawn through the cigarette causes the end of the cigarette to ignite, and the resulting combustion generates an inhalable smoke. By contrast, in heated aerosol generating articles, an aerosol is generated by heating a flavour generating substrate, such as tobacco, without combustion of the flavour generating substrate. Known heated aerosol generating articles include, for example, electrically heated aerosol generating articles and aerosol generating articles in which an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol forming material.

Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention find particular application in aerosol-generating systems comprising an aerosol-generating device having a heating chamber into which the aerosol-generating article is received such that heat can be supplied to the aerosol-generating substrate. This may be achieved by providing one or more heating elements arranged about the periphery of the heating chamber, the one or more heating elements being heated resistively or inductively. Alternatively, this may also be achieved by way of a resistively heated blade-shaped component of the aerosol-generating device, which is inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber.

According to yet another alternative, a susceptor element may be provided within the aerosol-generating substrate, and the aerosol-generating device may have an inductor for producing an alternating or fluctuating electromagnetic field. When the aerosol-generating article engages with the aerosol-generating device, the fluctuating electromagnetic field produced by the inductor induces a current in the susceptor element, causing the susceptor element to heat up. The electrically-operated aerosol-generating device may be capable of generating a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a magnetic field strength (H-field strength) of between 1 and 5 kilo amperes per metre (kA m), preferably between 2 and 3 kA/m, for example about 2.5 kA/m. The aerosol-generating article may be in the form of a rod. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term “rod” is used to denote a generally cylindrical element of substantially circular, oval or elliptical cross-section.

As used herein, the term “longitudinal” refers to the direction corresponding to the main longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article, which extends between the upstream and downstream ends of the aerosol-generating article. As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” describe the relative positions of elements, or portions of elements, of the aerosol-generating article in relation to the direction in which the aerosol is transported through the aerosol-generating article during use.

During use, air is drawn through the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. The term “transverse” refers to the direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Any reference to the “cross-section” of the aerosol-generating article or a component of the aerosol-generating article refers to the transverse cross-section unless stated otherwise.

The term “length” denotes the dimension of a component of the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction. For example, it may be used to denote the dimension of the aerosol-generating substrate or of the upstream section in the longitudinal direction.

The term “aerosol former” is used herein to describe a compound which, upon volatilisation, can help convey other vaporised compounds released upon heating an aerosolgenerating substrate, such as nicotine and flavourants, in an aerosol. Suitable aerosol formers for inclusion in an aerosol-generating substrate are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerol; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

The term “aversive agent” is used herein to describe a compound which may be added to a product with the intent of deterring or limiting its ingestion. The chemical properties of an aversive agent determine the types of products the aversive agent can be added to. For example, chemical stability and solubility may have an impact on the compatibility of an aversive agent with a given type of product. Examples of aversive agents include pungent agents (also referred to as irritants) and bittering agents.

The term “pungent agents” is used herein to describe a group of compounds that produce a sharp biting taste and a burning sensation when topically applied to mucosal and skin surfaces. Common pungent agents include, but are not limited to, capsaicin (red chile peppers), piperine (black pepper), allyl isothiocyanate (mustard oil), resinferatoxin. The term “bittering agents” is used herein to describe a group of chemically dissimilar compounds that have a common trait of imparting a bitter taste to substances. Compounds considered to be bittering agents include, but are not limited to, denatonium benzoate, columbin, amarogentin, quassin, absinthin, quinine hydrochloride.

The “bitterness value” of a given substance, such as a bittering agent, can be determined in accordance with a standardised procedure described in the European Pharmacopoeia (European Pharmacopoeia. Volume 1 : General part of monograph groups, 5th edition, basic work. Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-7692-3638-6, 2.8.15 Bitterwert, p. 278). In more detail, the “bitterness value” can be determined as the reciprocal of the dilution of a compound, a liquid or an extract that still has a bitter taste. The bitterness value of a given substance is effectively determined by comparing the threshold bitter concentration of an extract of the substance with that of a dilute solution of quinine hydrochloride.

The bitterness value of quinine hydrochloride is set at 200,000. This means that 1 gram of quinine hydrochloride makes 200,000 grams of water taste bitter.

In order to assess the bitterness value of a given test compound, stock and diluted quinine hydrochloride solutions at increasing concentrations of quinine hydrochloride are prepared as reference solutions. In parallel, stock and diluted solutions of the test compound at increasing concentrations of the given compound are also prepared.

A test panel is assembled. To correct for individual differences in tasting bitterness among members of the test panel, a correction factor may be determined for each panel member based on their response to tasting the quinine hydrochloride reference solutions.

Before each tasting, a test panel member rinses their mouth with drinking water. The highest dilution still having a bitter taste is determined by taking 10 millilitres of the most diluted solution into the mouth and passing it from side to side over the back of the tongue for 30 seconds. If the solution is found not to be bitter, the test panel member spits it out and waits for one minute before rinsing their mouth again with drinking water. After 10 minutes, the next dilution in order of increasing concentration is tasted.

For each test panel member, the highest dilution at which the test compound continues to cause a bitter taste sensation after 30 seconds is taken as their individual threshold bitter concentration. The bitterness value of the test compound results from calculating an average of the individual threshold bitter concentrations of all the test panel members.

As described briefly above, an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention comprises an aerosol-generating substrate and a downstream section extending from a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The downstream section defines an airflow pathway through which an aerosol may flow from the aerosol-generating substrate to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. Further, the aerosol-generating article comprises at least one wrapper circumscribing at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section.

An aversive component is provided in such aerosol-generating article. The aversive component comprises a thread substrate or a strip substrate and an aversive agent absorbed in the thread substrate or strip substrate. As will be described in more detail below, the aerosol-generating article is configured such that the aversive component is isolated from the airflow pathway defined by the downstream section such that the aversive agent is substantially prevented from entering the airflow pathway.

The aversive agent may comprise a pungent agent or a bittering agent or both.

In preferred embodiments, the aversive agent is a bittering agent.

The aversive agent may, in particular, have a bitterness value of at least 500,000. Preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 1 ,000,000. More preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 2,500,000. Even more preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 5,000,000.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 10,000,000. More preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 25,000,000. Even more preferably, the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 50,000,000.

Denatonium benzoate is generally considered to be the most bitter compound known, its bitterness value being estimated at over 100,000,000.

The following Table lists some known bittering agents with the respective bitterness values.

Table 1 In preferred embodiments, the aversive agent is selected from the group consisting of denatonium benzoate, columbin, amarogentin, quassin, absinthin, quinine hydrochloride, and combinations thereof. For example, denatonium benzoate is commercially available under the trade name Bitrex®.

In an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of at least 1 part per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 2 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosolgenerating article. More preferably, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 5 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In preferred embodiments, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 10 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 25 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article. More preferably, the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 50 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of less than or equal to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of less than or equal to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article. More preferably, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of less than or equal to 150 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In some embodiments, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of from 2 parts per million to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosolgenerating article, preferably from 5 parts per million to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, more preferably from 10 parts per million to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, even more preferably from 25 parts per million to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, most preferably from 50 parts per million to 250 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In other embodiments, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of from 2 parts per million to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosolgenerating article, preferably from 5 parts per million to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, more preferably from 10 parts per million to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, even more preferably from 25 parts per million to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, most preferably from 50 parts per million to 200 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In further embodiments, the aversive agent may be provided in a concentration of from 2 parts per million to 100 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosolgenerating article, preferably from 5 parts per million to 100 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, more preferably from 10 parts per million to 100 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, even more preferably from 25 parts per million to 100 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article, most preferably from 50 parts per million to 100 parts per million relative to the overall weight of the aerosol-generating article.

In an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention, an overall amount of the aversive agent may be at least 0.5 micrograms. Preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is at least 0.75 micrograms. More preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is at least 1.0 micrograms. Even more preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is at least 1.5 micrograms. In particularly preferred embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent is at least 2 micrograms, preferably at least 2.5 micrograms, more preferably at least 2.7 micrograms.

In an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention, an overall amount of the aversive agent may be less than or equal to 50 micrograms. Preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is less than or equal to 45 micrograms. More preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is less than or equal to 40 micrograms. Even more preferably, an overall amount of the aversive agent is less than or equal to 35 micrograms. In particularly preferred embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent is less than or equal to 30 micrograms, preferably less than or equal to 28 micrograms, more preferably less than or equal to 27 micrograms.

In some embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosolgenerating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 50 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 50 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 50 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 50 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 50 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 50 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 50 micrograms.

In other embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosolgenerating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 45 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 45 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 45 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 45 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 45 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 45 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 45 micrograms.

In further embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosolgenerating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 40 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 40 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 40 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 40 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 40 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 40 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 40 micrograms.

In yet further embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosolgenerating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 35 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 35 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 35 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 35 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 35 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 35 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 35 micrograms.

In another group of embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 30 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 30 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 30 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 30 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 30 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 30 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 30 micrograms.

In a further group of embodiments, an overall amount of the aversive agent in the aerosol-generating article is from 0.5 micrograms to 27 micrograms, preferably from 0.75 micrograms to 27 micrograms, more preferably from 1.0 micrograms to 27 micrograms, even more preferably from 1.5 micrograms to 27 micrograms, and particularly preferably from 2.0 micrograms to 27 micrograms or 2.5 micrograms to 27 micrograms or 2.7 micrograms to 27 micrograms.

In an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention, the aversive agent is provided in the form of a solid aversive component. The aversive component comprises a thread substrate or a strip substrate and the aversive agent is absorbed in the thread substrate or strip substrate. As will be described in more detail below, this may advantageously facilitate manufacturing of the aerosol-generating article, since the solid aversive component carrying the aversive agent may even be assembled at a different location, and incorporated into the aerosol-generating article using conventional article manufacturing techniques. Methods and apparatus for incorporating a solid substrate - such as, for example, a flavoured thread - into an aerosol-generating article are known to the skilled person, and so providing the aversive agent absorbed in a thread substrate or strip substrate may facilitate manufacture of aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the present invention without requiring extensive modifications to the existing equipment or to procedures already in place.

Additionally, depending on a binding affinity between the thread or strip and the absorbed aversive agent, the thread or strip may be configured to substantially prevent migration of the aversive agent from the thread or strip. This is beneficial in that it lessens the risk that some of the aversive agent may transfer from one aerosol-generating article to another, such as for example within the same packet. Further, it may also contribute to prevent release even of trace amounts of the aversive agent from the thread or strip during normal use of the aerosol-generating article, which may otherwise have a less than desirable impact on the quality of the aerosol delivered to the consumer.

In some embodiments, the thread substrate has a circular cross sectional shape. In other embodiments, the thread substrate has a rectangular or oblong cross sectional shape.

The thread substrate preferably comprises cotton yarn.

In certain embodiments, the thread substrate is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate may be in the form of an aerosol-generating rod. The aerosol-generating rod may comprise a susceptor element, wherein the susceptor element is thermally coupled with the aerosol-generating substrate. In more detail, this may be achieved by having the susceptor element extend longitudinally within the aerosol-generating rod and be embedded within the aerosol-generating substrate.

By way of example, the aerosol-generating rod may comprise a sheet of homogenised tobacco material gathered to form a rod extending along a longitudinal axis of the aerosolgenerating article. The susceptor element may be embedded within the gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material. As an alternative, the aerosol-generating rod may comprise a cut filler obtained by cutting tobacco leaf material or a reconstituted or homogenised tobacco material. The susceptor element may be embedded within the cut filler, for example such as to be surrounded by cut filler.

The aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises one or more aerosol formers. Upon volatilisation, an aerosol former can convey other vaporised compounds released from the first aerosol-generating substrate upon heating, such as for example nicotine and flavourants, in an aerosol. Suitable aerosol formers for inclusion in the aerosol-generating substrate are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerol; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.

The aerosol-generating substrate may have an aerosol former content of between about 5 percent and about 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate has an aerosol former content of at least about 10 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, more preferably at least about 15 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

The aerosol-generating substrate has preferably an aerosol former content of less than or equal to about 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, more preferably less than or equal to about 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate has an aerosol former content from 5 percent to 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, preferably from 10 percent to 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, more preferably from 15 percent to 25 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. In other embodiments, the aerosol-generating substrate has an aerosol former content from 5 percent to 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, preferably from 10 percent to 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, more preferably from 15 percent to 20 percent by weight on a dry weight basis.

These relatively high levels of aerosol former are particularly suitable for an aerosolgenerating substrate that is intended to be heated at a temperature of less than 275 degrees Celsius.

As will be described in more detail below, the downstream section may comprise one or more elements.

In some embodiment, the downstream section may comprise a support element positioned downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the support element may be provided immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, and preferably in abutting arrangement with the aerosol-generating substrate. The support element may for example be in the form of a plug of cellulose acetate. The support element may be in the form of a hollow tubular plug.

As used herein, the term “hollow tubular element (plug)” is used to denote a generally elongate element (plug) defining a lumen or airflow passage along a longitudinal axis thereof. In particular, the term "tubular" is used with reference to an element having a substantially cylindrical cross-section and defining at least one airflow conduit establishing an uninterrupted fluid communication between an upstream end of the tubular element and a downstream end of the tubular element. However, it will be understood that alternative geometries (for example, alternative cross-sectional shapes) of the tubular element may be possible.

In the context of the present invention a hollow tubular element plug provides an unrestricted flow channel. This means that the hollow tubular plug generally has a very low or even negligible level of RTD. This has the benefit that any airflow through the filtration material of the plug is substantially prevented, due to the differential in RTD between the unrestricted flow channel at the core of the hollow tubular plug and the surrounding filtration material. By adjusting an internal diameter of the hollow tubular plug and, therefore, a diameter of the unrestricted airflow channel, an RTD of the hollow tubular plug of the support element can be controlled and, in particular, set to a very low, if not substantially null, value.

In some embodiments, the support element may be circumscribed by its own plug wrap.

The downstream section may comprise an aerosol-cooling element positioned downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-cooling element may be provided immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. Alternatively, another element may be provided between the aerosol-generating substrate and the aerosol-cooling element. For example, a support element as described above may be positioned between the aerosol-generating substrate and the aerosol-cooling element. In such case, all three elements may be arranged in abutting relationship along the longitudinal axis of the aerosolgenerating article.

In certain embodiments, an aerosol-cooling element may be provided in the form of a hollow tubular element.

In the context of the present invention, an aerosol-cooling element comprising a hollow tubular element provides an unrestricted flow channel. This means that the hollow tubular element of the aerosol-cooling element provides a negligible level of RTD.

A ventilation zone may be arranged at a location along the hollow tubular element of the aerosol-cooling element. Such ventilation zone is configured to enable ingress of air from the outer environment into the hollow tubular element when a consumer draws upon the aerosol-generating article. In some embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element may be circumscribed by its own plug wrap. In other embodiments, the aerosol-cooling element and a support element upstream of the aerosol-cooling element may be combined and circumscribed by a single plug wrap.

The downstream section may comprise a mouthpiece element. The mouthpiece element may be positioned at the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article, and therefore not only downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, but also downstream of any other one of the optional elements of the downstream section. The mouthpiece element extends all the way to the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the mouthpiece element comprises at least one mouthpiece filter segment of a fibrous filtration material. Suitable fibrous filtration materials would be known to the skilled person. Particularly preferably, the at least one mouthpiece filter segment comprises a cellulose acetate filter segment formed of cellulose acetate tow.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the downstream section may comprise a mouth end cavity at the downstream end, downstream of a mouthpiece filter segment as described above. The mouth end cavity may be defined by a hollow tubular element provided at the downstream end of the mouthpiece. The mouth end cavity may be defined by the outer wrapper of the mouthpiece element, wherein the outer wrapper extends in a downstream direction from the mouthpiece element.

The mouthpiece element may optionally comprise a flavourant, which may be provided in any suitable form. For example, the mouthpiece element may comprise one or more capsules, beads or granules of a flavourant, or one or more flavour loaded threads or filaments.

Preferably, the mouthpiece element has a low particulate filtration efficiency.

Preferably, the mouthpiece is formed of a segment of a fibrous filtration material.

In some embodiments, the mouthpiece element is circumscribed by its own plug wrap.

In some embodiments, a ventilation zone may be provided at a location along the mouthpiece element. Such ventilation zone is configured to enable ingress of air from the outer environment into the mouthpiece element when a consumer draws upon the aerosolgenerating article. One such ventilation zone along the mouthpiece element may be provided in addition, or as an alternative to a ventilation zone provided along an aerosol-cooling element as described above, where one such aerosol-cooling element forms part of the aerosolgenerating article.

Thus, as described above, there are several possible article configurations adapted to admit ventilation air into the aerosol-generating article at a location along the downstream section. This has a plurality of beneficial effects. For example, the flow of ventilation air admitted into the aerosol-generating article at a location downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate may rapidly cool down the volatilised species released from the aerosol-generating substrate upon heating. This has been observed to have a favourable impact on nucleation and growth of aerosol particles, such that aerosol delivery to the consumer may be enhanced. At the same time, the temperature of the aerosol delivered to the consumer may be advantageously lowered to a desirable value without the need to include in the downstream section an aerosol-cooling element providing a large specific surface area for heat exchange or a material with a significant heat capacity, as has been often proposed in the art.

The aerosol-generating article may typically have a ventilation level of at least about 10 percent, preferably at least about 20 percent.

The term “ventilation level” is used throughout the present specification to denote a volume ratio between the airflow admitted into the aerosol-generating article via the ventilation zone (ventilation airflow) and the sum of the aerosol airflow and the ventilation airflow. The greater the ventilation level, the higher the dilution of the flow ultimately delivered to the consumer.

In preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of at least about 30 percent. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of at least about 35 percent. In addition, or as an alternative, the aerosol-generating article preferably has a ventilation level of less than about 60 percent. More preferably, the aerosolgenerating article has a ventilation level of less than about 50 percent. In particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level from about 30 percent to about 60 percent. More preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level from about 35 percent to about 50 percent. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the aerosol-generating article has a ventilation level of about 40 percent.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors have found that the temperature drop caused by the admission of cooler, external air into the aerosol-generating article via the ventilation zone may have an advantageous effect on the nucleation and growth of aerosol particles.

Aerosol-generating articles in accordance with the present invention may optionally comprise an upstream section positioned upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. Preferably, the upstream section is positioned in alignment with and immediately upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. Even more preferably, a downstream end of the upstream section abuts an upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate.

The upstream section may comprise a plug. The plug may be circumscribed by a wrapping paper.

The plug may be porous or substantially air-impermeable. For example, the plug may be made of a filtration material that has been compressed to the point that it is substantially air-impermeable. As an alternative, the plug may be made of an air-impermeable material, such as a silicone polymeric material.

In preferred embodiments, the upstream section comprises a plug, such as for example a plug of filtration material, the plug being circumscribed by a wrapping paper. The plug of the upstream section may comprise a filtration material suitable for use in an aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section comprises at least one of cellulose acetate fibres, polylactic acid fibres, polyhydroxybutyrate fibres, and polyhydroxyalkanoate fibres.

The plug of the upstream section may have a length of at least 2 millimetres. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of at least 3 millimetres. More preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of at least 4 millimetres. Even more preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of at least 5 millimetres.

The plug of the upstream section may have a length of less than or equal to 15 millimetres. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of less than or equal to 12 millimetres. More preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of less than or equal to 10 millimetres. Even more preferably, the plug of the upstream section has a length of less than or equal to 7 millimetres.

In some embodiments, the plug of the upstream section has a length of from 2 millimetres to 12 millimetres, preferably from 3 millimetres to 12 millimetres, more preferably from 4 millimetres to 12 millimetres, even more preferably from 5 millimetres to 12 millimetres. In other embodiments, the plug of the upstream section has a length of from 2 millimetres to 10 millimetres, preferably from 3 millimetres to 10 millimetres, more preferably from 4 millimetres to 10 millimetres, even more preferably from 5 millimetres to 10 millimetres. In further embodiments, the plug of the upstream section has a length of from 2 millimetres to 7 millimetres, preferably from 3 millimetres to 7 millimetres, more preferably from 4 millimetres to 7 millimetres, even more preferably from 5 millimetres to 7 millimetres.

The plug of the upstream section may have an external diameter substantially equal to an external diameter of the upstream section of the aerosol-generating article. In turn, the external diameter of the upstream section of the aerosol-generating article may be substantially equal to an external diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

The plug of the upstream section may have an external diameter of at least 4 millimetres. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section has an external diameter of at least 5 millimetres. The plug may have an external diameter of less than or equal to 9 millimetres. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section has an external diameter of less than or equal to 8 millimetres.

In some embodiments, the plug of the upstream section has an external diameter of from 4 millimetres to 9 millimetres, preferably from 5 millimetres to 9 millimetres. In other embodiments, the plug of the upstream section has an external diameter of from 4 millimetres to 8 millimetres, preferably from 5 millimetres to 8 millimetres. A resistance to draw (RTD) of the plug of the upstream section will depend on several parameters, including the porosity of the material of which the plug is made and the geometry of the plug (e.g. cross-sectional area, length). As will be discussed in more detail below, in certain embodiments the plug may be provided in the form of a hollow body and define an internal airflow channel that extends through the plug from an upstream end of the plug to a downstream end of the plug. In such embodiments, an RTD of the plug will generally very low - if not null - as airflow through the plug will occur primarily - if not entirely - through the internal airflow channel.

By contrast, in other embodiments wherein the plug is a solid (that is, not hollow) body, such as for example a solid plug made of a porous material, then an RTD of the plug may generally be higher and may vary more significantly with the length of the plug and the porosity of the material of which the plug is made. This is because airflow will occur generally across the whole cross-section of the plug rather than along a preferential pathway.

In certain embodiments, the plug of the upstream section comprises cellulose acetate. Preferably, the plug of the upstream section comprises cellulose acetate that has been crimped, fluffed, and has had plasticiser applied on it. In other embodiments, the cellulose acetate may be at least partly replaced by other fibres suitable for use in an aerosol-generating article, such as PHA-PBA fibres, PLA fibres, etc.

In certain embodiments, the upstream section further comprises a predefined airflow channel extending through the plug from an upstream end of the plug of filtration material to a downstream end of the plug. For example, the plug of the upstream section may be a hollow tubular plug. Additionally, the upstream section may comprise a hollow tubular element coupled with the hollow tubular plug, the hollow tubular element defining the airflow channel. In some embodiments, the hollow tubular element may be provided in the form of a cardboard tube.

In embodiments wherein the upstream section further comprises a predefined airflow channel extending through the plug, and particularly where the airflow channel is defined by a hollow tubular element as described above, if the plug comprises cellulose acetate, the cellulose acetate may be further compressed around the predefined airflow channel. This is advantageously understood to further increase the resistance to draw (RTD) associated with the portion of the plug formed of cellulose acetate relative to the predefined airflow channel, which thus comes to provide a preferential pathway, such that a resistance to draw (RTD) of the plug as a whole is negligible or substantially null.

The resistance to draw (RTD) of an aerosol-generating article or of a component thereof, such as a plug of filtration material, may be assessed as the negative pressure that has to be applied to a downstream end of the article or component in order to sustain a steady volumetric flow of air of 17.5 ml/s through the article or component. The skilled person may find further details about the measurement method, test conditions, and so forth in ISO 6565:2015 (2015). In embodiments comprising an upstream section, the admission of ventilation air into the aerosol-generating article at a location along the downstream section as described above has the added benefit that an overall RTD of aerosol-generating substrate and downstream section is significantly lower than an RTD of the upstream section. For example, where a ventilation zone is provided downstream of the upstream section, an overall RTD of aerosol-generating substrate and downstream section is significantly lower than an RTD of the plug of filtration material. As such, the provision of the upstream section may provide a tool for controlling an overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article and limiting a variability of the overall RTD in different aerosol-generating articles having the same overall structure.

In fact, it is understood that an overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article may be prone to a certain variability due to the inherent variability of the RTD of the aerosol-generating substrate. This is because even rods having predefined and accurately controlled diameter and length may still exhibit fluctuations in the RTD due to variations in the natural material (e.g. a tobacco or other plant material) used as the substrate. In such context, the provision of an upstream section, particularly one with a predetermined RTD, may advantageously limit the impact that the variability of the RTD of the aerosol-generating rod may have on the variability of the overall RTD of the aerosol-generating article.

As described briefly above, in an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention at least one wrapper is provided that circumscribes at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section.

In some embodiments, the at least one wrapper comprises a radially inner wrapper portion and a radially outer wrapper portion. The radially outer wrapper portion overlaps the radially inner wrapper portion, and the aversive component is disposed between the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion.

This configuration has the benefit that the aversive component is stably held into place between the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion. At the same time, this configuration ensures that direct contact between the aversive component and the airflow pathway is prevented during normal use of the aerosol-generating article. At the same time, because the aversive agent is provided immediately below the radially outer wrapper portion, if the portion of aerosol-generating article circumscribed by the wrapper is bit into, the presence of the aversive agent will be immediately detected and cause the desired reaction. In those embodiments described above where at least one ventilation zone is provided - such as at a location along the downstream section - to allow air to enter the aerosolgenerating article, the ventilation zone may comprise a first row of perforations provided through the at least one wrapper.

Preferably, where one such ventilation zone is provided about the downstream section, the ventilation zone comprises a first row of perforations provided through the at least one wrapper, and the first row of perforations includes a break where the aversive component is provided such that no perforations are provided through the aversive component.

In certain embodiments, the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion are overlapping parts of a single wrapper. For example, the wrapper may be wound about one or more of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section such that edge portions of the wrapper overlap and are optionally affixed to one another (for example, by way of a seam seal). The aversive component may be positioned between the overlapping edge portions of the wrapper, and the optional seam seal may provide a further barrier preventing the aversive agent from being released from the aerosol-generating article during its normal use.

In the embodiments described above, wherein the aversive component is disposed between a radially inner wrapper portion and a radially outer wrapper portion of the wrapper, the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion may be part of a tipping paper, part of an outer wrapping paper, part of a combining plug wrap, or part of a plug wrap surrounding a component of the aerosol-generating article.

As an alternative, the radially inner wrapper portion may be part of a first wrapper, while the radially outer wrapper portion is part of a second wrapper, and the aversive component is provided where the first wrapper and the second wrapper overlap. In more detail, the first wrapper comprising the radially inner wrapper portion may be an outer wrapping paper, a combining plug wrap, or a plug wrap surrounding a component of the aerosolgenerating article. The second wrapper comprising the radially outer wrapper portion may be an outer wrapping paper, a combining plug wrap, or a tipping paper.

Thus, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a number of different wrapper configurations that can be efficiently implemented in the aerosol-generating article to ensure that that the aversive component is isolated from the airflow pathway and the aversive agent is substantially prevented from entering the airflow pathway.

In certain preferred embodiments, the aversive component is attached to at least one of the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion using an adhesive. This is beneficial in that it further helps holding the aversive component in place in the aerosol- generating article, both during transportation and storage as well as during regular use. As such, it may be easier to ensure that the aversive component is not dislodged from its intended location within the aerosol-generating article at any point during its life cycle, and therefore that it does not accidentally becomes exposed to the airflow pathway or to the outer environment.

As described above, in certain embodiments the downstream section may comprise a tubular segment comprising a wall and a hollow lumen delimited by the wall and defining an airflow channel extending from an upstream end of the tubular segment to a downstream end of the tubular segment. For example, the downstream section may comprise one or more of a support element, an aerosol-cooling element and a mouthpiece element, and at least one of them may be in the form of or comprise one such tubular segment. In some of these embodiments, the aversive component is embedded in the filtration material (for example, the cellulose acetate material) of the tubular segment. In practice, the aversive component is positioned within the wall of the tubular segment.

One such arrangement has the benefit that the aversive component is kept at a distance from an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article, and so accidental transfer of the aversive agent to the fingers of the consumer when the consumer holds or uses the aerosol-generating article is advantageously prevented. Additionally, as will be described in more detail below with reference to certain preferred embodiments, the aversive component may be maintained away from the airflow pathway, such that, during use of the aerosolgenerating article, the flow of aerosol being generated cannot come into direct contact with the aversive component and delivery of aversive agent to the consumer with the aerosol may be prevented.

An outer diameter of the tubular segment may be substantially equal to an outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

In certain embodiments, the tubular segment of the downstream section comprises at least one of cellulose acetate fibres, polylactic acid fibres, polyhydroxybutyrate fibres, and polyhydroxyalkanoate fibres.

As noted above when describing the upstream section, control over the resistance to draw of one such tubular segment may be achieved, from a practical viewpoint, by adjusting an equivalent diameter of the hollow lumen of the tubular segment.

A diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular segment may be at least 30 percent of an external diameter of the tubular segment. Preferably, a diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular segment may be at least 35 percent of an external diameter of the tubular segment. More preferably, a diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular segment may be at least 40 percent of an external diameter of the tubular segment. Even more preferably, a diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular segment may be at least 45 percent of an external diameter of the tubular segment. In some particularly preferred embodiments, a diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular segment may be at least 50 percent of an external diameter of the tubular segment or at least 55 percent of an external diameter of the tubular segment or at least 60 percent of an external diameter of the tubular segment.

A diameter of the hollow lumen extending through the tubular segment may be less than or equal to 90 percent of the external diameter of the tubular segment, preferably less than or equal to 80 percent of the external diameter of the tubular segment, more preferably less than or equal to 70 percent of the external diameter of the tubular segment.

Controlling the diameter of the hollow lumen of the tubular segment such that it falls within the ranges described above may be beneficial since it generally ensures that an RTD of the tubular segment is very small if not null, but even more importantly it ensures that an RTD the hollow lumen is negligible compared with an RTD of the wall of material delimiting the hollow lumen. Establishing one such sharp RTD gradient between the wall delimiting the hollow lumen and the hollow lumen itself contributes to maintaining the aversive component effectively isolated from the aerosol airflow pathway, because substantially the entirety of the aerosol flowing from the aerosol-generating substrate towards the mouth end of the aerosolgenerating article will substantially bypass the wall delimiting the hollow lumen and flow through the hollow lumen.

Thus, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a number of different configurations of the aerosol-generating article whereby the aversive component is effectively isolated from the airflow pathway by adjusting certain characteristics and parameters of a component or components of the article in which the aversive component is located. In fact, it will be apparent to the skilled person that a tubular segment defining a lumen with a much lower RTD than an RTD of the wall of the tubular segment, the wall of the tubular segment comprising the aversive component, may be arranged at different locations within the aerosolgenerating article. For example, one such tubular segment may be provided as a support element immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate or as part of an aerosolcooling element arranged generally downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate or even as part of a mouthpiece element.

In any one of the embodiments described above, the aerosol-generating article may further comprise an outer wrapping paper, the outer wrapping paper including an impermeable coating to prevent aversive agent from migrating to the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article. This is beneficial in that it provides a further barrier layer between the aversive component and the consumer during regular use or any manipulation of the aerosolgenerating article. At the same time, the use of a paper wrapper makes it possible for the aversive agent to reach a consumer in case of inadvertent ingestion of the article, and so forth.

As described briefly above, the present disclosure also relates to an aerosolgenerating system comprising a heating device and an aerosol-generating article in line with the foregoing description.

Thus, the present invention also relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising one such heating device, such as an electrically heated aerosol-generating device, and an aerosol-generating article.

Examples of suitable aerosol-generating devices will be known to the person of skill in the art. In general, suitable aerosol-generating devices will comprise a cavity (that is, a heating chamber) for receiving the aerosol-generating article, and one or more heating elements to supply heat to the aerosol-generating substrate.

For example, the one or more heating elements may comprise one or more inductor elements adapted to generate a fluctuating electromagnetic field within the cavity, if the aerosol-generating article comprises a susceptor element embedded within the aerosolgenerating substrate.

Alternatively, the one or more heating elements may comprise one or more resistively heatable elements arranged at or about the periphery of the heating chamber at a location facing the aerosol-generating substrate when the aerosol-generating article is received within the heating chamber.

These heating arrangements are such that, during use, heat is supplied selectively to the aerosol-generating substrate, whilst at the same time only negligible amounts of heat - or substantially no heat - are supplied to the upstream section.

Additionally, a suitable aerosol-generating device will typically comprise an electrical power supply connected to the one or more inductor elements or resistively heatable elements; and a control element configured to control the supply of power from the power supply to the one or more inductor elements or resistively heatable elements.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating device is a portable or handheld aerosol-generating device that is comfortable for a user to hold between the fingers of a single hand.

The aerosol-generating device may be substantially cylindrical in shape.

The aerosol-generating device may have a length of between approximately 70 millimetres and approximately 120 millimetres. The power supply may be any suitable power supply, for example a DC voltage source such as a battery. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery.

The control element may be a simple switch. Alternatively the control element may be electric circuitry and may comprise one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers.

Features described in relation to one or more aspects may equally be applied to other aspects of the invention. In particular, features described in relation to the aerosol-generating article may be equally applied to the aerosol-generating system.

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

Example Ex1 : An aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article comprising: an aerosol-generating substrate; a downstream section extending from a downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the downstream section defines an airflow pathway through which an aerosol may flow from the aerosol-generating substrate to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article; and at least one wrapper circumscribing at least a portion of at least one of the aerosol-generating substrate and the downstream section.

Example Ex2: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex1 , further comprising an aversive component comprising a thread substrate or a strip substrate and an aversive agent absorbed in the thread substrate or strip substrate.

Example Ex3: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex2, wherein the aerosolgenerating article is configured such that the aversive component is not directly exposed to the airflow pathway, such that the aversive agent is substantially prevented from entering the airflow pathway.

Example Ex4: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the aversive agent is a bittering agent.

Example Ex5: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex4, wherein the aversive agent has a bitterness value of at least 10,000.

Example Ex6: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex4 or Ex5, wherein the aversive agent comprises at least one of denatonium benzoate (bitrex), columbin, amarogentin, quassin, absinthin, and quinine hydrochloride. Example Ex7: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the aversive agent is provided in a concentration of at least 2 parts per million.

Example Ex8: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the aversive component comprises a substrate, the aversive agent being absorbed on the substrate.

Example Ex9: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex8, wherein the substrate is a thread substrate, the aversive agent being absorbed in the thread substrate.

Example Ex10: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex9, wherein the thread substrate comprises cotton yarn.

Example Ex11 : An aerosol-generating article according to Ex9 or Ex 10, wherein the thread substrate has a circular cross sectional shape.

Example Ex12: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex8 to Ex11 , wherein the thread substrate is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the aerosolgenerating article.

Example Ex13: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding Examples, wherein the at least one wrapper comprises a radially inner wrapper portion and a radially outer wrapper portion, the radially outer wrapper portion overlapping the radially inner wrapper portion, wherein the aversive component is disposed between the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion.

Example Ex14: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex13, wherein the article comprises at least one ventilation zone to allow air to enter the aerosol-generating article, the ventilation zone comprises a first row of perforations provided through the at least one wrapper.

Example Ex15: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex14, wherein the at least one ventilation zone is provided about the downstream section and comprises a first row of perforations provided through the at least one wrapper, the first row of perforations including a break where the aversive component is provided such that no perforations are provided through the aversive component.

Example Ex16: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples Ex13 to Ex15, wherein the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion are overlapping parts of a single wrapper.

Example Ex17: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples Ex13 to Ex16, wherein the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion are part of a tipping paper, part of an outer wrapping paper, part of a combining plug wrap, or part of a plug wrap surrounding a component of the aerosol-generating article.

Example Ex18: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples Ex13 to Ex17, wherein the radially inner wrapper portion is part of a first wrapper, and the radially outer wrapper portion is part of a second wrapper, the aversive component being provided where the first wrapper and the second wrapper overlap.

Example Ex19: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex18, wherein the first wrapper comprising the radially inner wrapper portion is an outer wrapping paper, a combining plug wrap, or a plug wrap surrounding a component of the aerosol-generating article.

Example Ex20: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex18 or Ex19, wherein the second wrapper comprising the radially outer wrapper portion is an outer wrapping paper, a combining plug wrap, or a tipping paper.

Example Ex21 : An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex13 to Ex20, wherein the aversive component is attached to at least one of the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion using an adhesive.

Example Ex22: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex1 to Ex 12, wherein the downstream section comprises a tubular segment comprising a wall and a hollow lumen delimited by the wall and defining an airflow channel extending from an upstream end of the tubular segment to a downstream end of the tubular segment, the aversive component being embedded in the wall of the tubular segment.

Example Ex23: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex22, wherein the tubular segment is comprised in one of a support element, an aerosol-cooling element, and a mouthpiece element of the downstream section.

Example Ex24: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex22 to Ex23, wherein the tubular segment of the downstream section comprises at least one of cellulose acetate fibres, polylactic acid fibres, polyhydroxybutyrate fibres, and polyhydroxyalkanoate fibres.

Example Ex25: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples Ex22 to Ex24, wherein a diameter of the hollow lumen is at least 45 percent of a total external diameter of the downstream section.

Example Ex26: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex17 to Ex25, wherein the tubular segment further comprises a tube delimiting the airflow channel.

Example Ex27: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex26, wherein the tube is a cardboard tube.

Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of an aerosol-generating article in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an aerosol-generating system in accordance with the present invention.

An aerosol-generating article 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The aerosol-generating article 10 shown in Figure 1 comprises a rod 12 of aerosolgenerating substrate and a downstream section 14 at a location downstream of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate.

Further, the aerosol-generating article 10 comprises an upstream section 16 at a location upstream of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate.

A ventilation zone 60 is provided at a location downstream of the rod 12 of aerosolgenerating substrate.

In more detail, in the embodiment of Figure 1 , the downstream section 14 comprises a mouthpiece element 18 and a hollow section 20.

The mouthpiece element 18 comprises a plug 24 of low-density filtration material.

The hollow section 20 comprises an aerosol-cooling element 22 comprising a hollow tubular element and the ventilation zone 60, which comprises a plurality of openings formed through a wall of the hollow tubular element. The hollow tubular element of the aerosol-cooling element 22 is in the form of a cardboard tube. Further, the hollow section 20 comprises a support element 24 comprising another hollow tubular element, which is in the form of a hollow plug 26 of filtration material. The wall of the hollow plug is formed of compressed cellulose acetate fibres, and delimits a hollow lumen that provides for an unrestricted flow through the hollow plug.

The support element 24 is positioned immediately downstream of the rod 12 of aerosolgenerating substrate. As shown in the drawing of Figure 1 , an upstream end of the support element 24 abuts a downstream end of the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-cooling element 22 is positioned immediately downstream of the support element 24. In fact, an upstream end of the aerosol-cooling element 22 abuts a downstream end of the support element 24. The mouthpiece element 18 is positioned immediately downstream of the aerosol-cooling element 22. In more detail, an upstream end of the mouthpiece element 18 abuts a downstream end of the aerosol-cooling element 22. The rod 12 comprises an aerosol-generating substrate in the form of a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material. However, other types of tobacco-containing substrate, such as a tobacco cut filler, can replace the gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material.

The upstream section 16 comprises a cylindrical plug 28 of cellulose acetate. An RTD of the plug 28 is about 100 millimetres H2O.

A wrapper 30 circumscribes both the aerosol-generating substrate 12 and the downstream section 14, as well as the upstream section 16.

Further, the aerosol-generating article 10 comprises an aversive component 50. The aversive component 50 comprises a thread substrate comprising cotton yarn and an aversive agent absorbed onto the cotton yarn. The aversive agent is a bittering agent. The bittering agent is present in an amount of from 2.7 micrograms to 27 micrograms.

The aversive component 50 is provided within the wall of filtration material of the hollow plug 26 of the support element 24. As a result, the aversive component is advantageously kept at a distance from any surface that the consumer’s fingers may come into contact with during normal use of the aerosol-generating article. Further, because the support element 24 is separated from the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article by both the aerosol-cooling element 22 and the mouthpiece element 18, it is highly unlikely that the consumer’s lips or oral mucosa may even come into contact with the support element 24 during the normal, intended use of the aerosol-generating article.

Due to the RTD differential between the wall of the plug 26 and the hollow lumen defined therethrough, airflow into the wall of the plug 26 is substantially prevented and so the aerosol species generated upon heating the aerosol-generating substrate 12 during use bypass the wall of the plug 26 by flowing into the hollow lumen defined therethrough and on to the aerosol-cooling element. As such, the aversive component 50 is advantageously isolated from the airflow pathway extending through the downstream section 14.

Another example of an aerosol-generating article 100 in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 2. The aerosol-generating article 100 is similar to the aerosolgenerating article 10 of Figure 1 and will be described below only insofar as it differs from the aerosol-generating article 10 of Figure 1.

In the aerosol-generating article 100 a susceptor element 70 is embedded within the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate. The susceptor element 70 is elongate and extends longitudinally within the rod 12, such as to be thermally coupled with the aerosol-generating substrate.

The wrapper 30 circumscribes the upstream portion 16 as well as the aerosolgenerating substrate 12 and the downstream section 14. In more detail, the wrapper 30 comprises a radially inner wrapper portion 30a and a radially outer wrapper portion 30b, the radially outer wrapper portion overlapping the radially inner wrapper portion. An aversive component 50 is disposed between the radially inner wrapper portion and the radially outer wrapper portion. As a result, the aversive component is advantageously kept at a distance from any surface that the consumer’s fingers may come into contact with during normal use of the aerosol-generating article. In practice, the radially outer wrapper portion may act as a barrier between the aversive component 50 and an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article.

A tipping wrapper 80 attaches the mouthpiece 24 to the downstream section 14, and so an upstream portion of the tipping wrapper 80 overlaps a downstream portion of the wrapper 28.

Because the support element 24 is separated from the mouth end of the aerosolgenerating article by both the radially outer wrapper portion 30b and the tipping paper, and so it is highly unlikely that the consumer’s lips or oral mucosa may come into contact with the aversive component 50 during the normal, intended use of the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating article 100 comprises a ventilation zone 60 to allow air to enter the aerosol-generating article. The ventilation zone comprises a row of perforations provided through both the tipping wrapper 80 and the wrapper 28. The perforations also extend through the hollow tubular element of the aerosol-cooling element 22 such that during use ventilation air is admitted into the cavity defined by the aerosol-cooling element 22. As shown in the drawing of Figure 2, the row of perforations of the ventilation zone 60 includes a break where the aversive component 50 is provided, such that no perforations are provided through the aversive component 50.

Figure 3 illustrates an aerosol-generating system 200 comprising an exemplary aerosol-generating device 1 and the aerosol-generating article 100 of Figure 1.

The aerosol-generating device 200 comprises a housing (or body) 40. The housing 40 comprises a peripheral wall 42 and an end wall 44. The peripheral wall 40 defines a device cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article 100. The device cavity is defined by a closed, distal end and an open, mouth end. The mouth end of the device cavity is located at the mouth end of the aerosol-generating device 1. The aerosol-generating article 10 is configured to be received through the mouth end of the device cavity and is configured to abut a closed end of the device cavity.

A device airflow inlet 46 is defined within the end wall 44. Air may be admitted into the upstream section 16 of the aerosol-generating article via the device airflow inlet 46. As such, a fluid communication is established between an exterior of the aerosol-generating device 200 and the rod 12 of aerosol-generating substrate.

The aerosol-generating device 200 further comprises a heater element in the form of an inductor coil 48 adapted to induce a current in the susceptor element 70. The aerosolgenerating device 200 further comprises a power source (not shown) for supplying power to the heater element. A controller (not shown) is also provided to control such supply of power to the heater element. The heater element is configured to controllably heat the aerosolgenerating substrate within the rod 12 during use, when the aerosol-generating article 100 is received within the device 200.

For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 5 percent of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.